NEW ORLEANS, March 25, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- In appreciation of his dedication, Popeyes(r) Chicken & Biscuits today honored Fats Domino with a Lifetime of Chicken Award entitling him to free Popeyes chicken for life. Fats Domino was honored for his support and partnership over the past 20 years.
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Fats debuted in Popeyes commercials in the early 80's putting his own rhythm and blues touch to the "Love that Chicken(tm)" jingle. Most recently, he has continued his partnership with Popeyes as the headliner for the Popeyes 30th Anniversary Festival. The festival was held in his hometown of New Orleans in Fall 2002. The partnership continues as Fats headlines the new opening day of the 2003 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which is sponsored by Popeyes. The new opening day is Thursday, April 24, 2003.
"It's the perfect combo!" said Quint Davis, producer/director of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. "When you put Fats, Popeyes and Jazz Fest together, what you get is a whole lotta fun."
"I just love that chicken," stated Fats Domino. "There is a restaurant on St. Claude Avenue just down the road from my home that I frequent to have my fill of that famous fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits and Cajun rice."
"Popeyes and Fats have a lot in common -- they both have deep roots in their birthplace, New Orleans," said Joe Scafido, Chief Menu and Marketing Officer of Popeyes. "Popeyes has been and remains today committed to providing a fresh, flavorful Cajun dining experience, every meal, every time. Every customer is important and we are thrilled that Fats is one of our biggest fans."
Popeyes is a leader in the Cajun segment of the foodservice industry and is the world's second-largest quick-service chicken concept. Founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Popeyes has more than 1,672 locations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 21 other countries and achieved 2001 worldwide sales of approximately $1.3 billion. Visit Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits' website at www.popeyes.com
AFC Enterprises, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of 4,072 restaurants, bakeries and cafes in the United States, Puerto Rico and 33 foreign countries under the brand names Popeyes(r) Chicken & Biscuits, Church's Chicken(tm), Cinnabon(r), Seattle's Best Coffee(r) and Torrefazione Italia(r) Coffee. 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(r) had system-wide sales of approximately $2.6 billion in 2001 and can be found on the World Wide Web at www.afce.com
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