ATLANTA, June 24, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Popeyes(r) Chicken & Biscuits, the world's second-largest chicken chain and a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc. (TICKER: AFCE), today announced an expanded menu test of Popeyes Naked Chicken(tm), a zero carbohydrate bone-in chicken item with all of the famous Popeyes flavor consumers love. The product is being tested at over 300 Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits restaurants across the U.S. beginning in late June.
"Today's consumer demands flavorful meal options that don't compromise their dietary considerations, and Popeyes is committed to providing our customers with the menu variety they seek," said Ken Keymer, president of Popeyes. "Roughly 12 percent of the U.S. population follows a carb-controlled diet(1); however, those consumers have no desire to give up the great flavor that Popeyes is known for delivering. They can now have both -- great flavor and zero carbs -- with bone-in Popeyes Naked Chicken."
The new Popeyes Naked Chicken offering is an old favorite with a modern twist. The bone-in chicken is marinated, seasoned and then fried to a crisp, golden brown all without batter and breading. It is the first item in an expanded menu test program that will offer additional menu alternatives for consumers. Other test menu items include Popeyes Naked Chicken Strips(tm) -- non-battered, non-breaded chicken strips -- as well as green beans, collard greens and cole slaw.
Popeyes is a leader in the New Orleans segment of the foodservice industry and is the world's second-largest quick-service chicken concept. Founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Popeyes had 1,805 locations as of April 18, 2004, in 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 21 other countries. Visit Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits' Web site at www.popeyes.com.
AFC Enterprises, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of 4,095 restaurants, bakeries and cafes as of April 18, 2004, in the United States, Puerto Rico and 38 foreign countries under the brand names Popeyes(r) Chicken & Biscuits, Church's Chicken(tm) and Cinnabon(r), and the franchisor of Seattle's Best Coffee(r) in Hawaii, on military bases and internationally. AFC's primary objective is to be the world's Franchisor of Choice(r) by offering investment opportunities in highly recognizable brands and exceptional franchisee support systems and services. AFC Enterprises can be found on the World Wide Web at www.afce.com.
(1) "Measuring the Low Carb Revolution" White Paper, Opinion Dynamics Corp, June 2004
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