020255 Popeyes Wins Two Prestigious Industry Awards

Atlanta, GA - Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc., begins 2002, the brand's 30th Anniversary year, by winning two prestigious industry awards honoring the chain's culinary excellence and customer service.

First, Restaurant Business magazine named Joe Scafido, Popeyes Chief Menu and Marketing Officer, as the winner of the 2002 Menu Strategist Award in the quick-service category. The award recognizes individuals who set their operation apart through the quality and distinctiveness of its menu. The magazine's editors selected winners in six different categories that will be featured in the March 15, April 1 and April 15 editions of the publication.

"We are excited that Joe has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to our unique and flavorful menu," said Jon Luther, president of Popeyes. "His talent and leadership has brought many new and successful products to our Cajun-style menu which continues to appeal to Flavor Seekers."

As part of this magazine's award process, Scafido is also a nominee for the overall Menu Strategist of the Year Award. Restaurant Business will conduct an online readers' poll to select the overall Menu Strategist of the Year from the six category nominees. The winner will be announced at Menus 2002, the magazine's seminar for menu planners, held in San Diego on April 20-23.

The second award that Popeyes has won is for customer service. Restaurants and Institutions named Popeyes the gold level winner in its Choice in Chains Customer Satisfaction Awards. The awards are divided into 14 categories by market segment and are based on a national survey of restaurant customers who rate chains on seven key attributes: food quality, menu variety, value, service, atmosphere, cleanliness and convenience. The survey results will appear in the March 1 edition of Restaurants and Institutions.

"As we enter our 30th year in business, we are very excited to receive these two awards that honor our continued commitment to producing flavorful foods and serving those items with the highest level of customer service," Luther said. "We look forward to continuing to serve guests flavorful food in a fun atmosphere during the next 30 years."

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 1,578 locations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 20 other countries and achieved 2000 worldwide sales of approximately $1.2 billion. Visit Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits' website at www.popeyes.com.

AFC Enterprises, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of more than 3,750 restaurants, bakeries and cafes in the United States, Puerto Rico and 30 other countries under the brand names Church's ChickenTM, Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, Cinnabon, Seattle's Best Coffee, and Torrefazione Italia Coffee. AFC's primary objective is to be the world's Franchisor of Choice by offering investment opportunities in highly recognizable brands and exceptional franchisee support systems and services. AFC had system-wide sales of approximately $2.4 billion in 2000.

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