AFC Enterprises Closes Deal to Acquire Seattle Coffee Company

March 18, 1998 - March 18, 1998 (ATLANTA) - Atlanta based AFC Enterprises, parent company to Churchs Chicken, Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and Chesapeake Bagel Bakery, announced today that it has finalized the purchase of Seattle Coffee Company (SCC) with immediate plans to expand SCC's retail and wholesale businesses worldwide and franchise the brands in international markets. This purchase includes SCC's roasting and packaging facility, 66 Seattle's Best and Torrefazione Italia brand cafes, and a wholesale business which currently distributes coffee products to over 5,000 locations.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of AFC, Seattle Coffee Company will maintain its headquarters in Seattle and retain its current management team and employee base. "This transaction is about worldwide growth for the Seattle's Best and Torrefazione Italia brands," said Larry McDonald, SCC's president and CEO. "AFC is the ideal financial and strategic partner to enable us to achieve our long term goals." The acquisition is AFC's first entry into the $5 billion coffee industry and offers the company immediate worldwide growth opportunities. Working with SCC management, AFC plans to develop company-owned and franchise operations Seattle's Best and Torrefazione Italia retail cafes. It will offer the SCC coffee brands to franchised locations and in all company owned Chesapeake Bakery Cafes. Additionally, there are aggressive plans to expand SCC's wholesale and foodservice businesses and develop new product lines. "AFC is looking forward to being in the coffee business and delighted to add two high valued brands to our portfolio," says Dick Holbrook, president and COO of AFC Enterprises, who was in Seattle today to welcome the SCC employees to the AFC family. "This is a very exciting time for AFC as we offer more opportunity for all of our stakeholders."

Last year, AFC bought Chesapeake Bagel Bakery with plans to evolve the brand into a bakery cafe concept and grow the brand through franchising and acquisitions. The Seattle's Best and Torrefazione Italia brands will be offered to AFC's Chesapeake franchise partners and poured in all company owned Chesapeake Bakery Cafes. The company has no plans to serve the SCC brands in its Churchs or Popeyes restaurants. "Our AFC franchise partners have already shown great interest in developing the Seattle's Best and Torrefazione Italia brand cafes," says Holbrook. "We plan to mirror the success we have had in developing our brands internationally."

AFC is one of the fastest growing companies in the restaurant and beverage industries. An operator and franchisor, AFC has recently been recognized for is achievements by being Nation's awarded the International Foodservice Manufacturing Association's Silver Plate Award, Nation's Restaurant News Golden Chain Award, the Technology Leadership Award and was named Operator of the Year for 1997. Since its founding in 1992, AFC has opened more than 1,000 restaurants and in 1997 the company had combined system sales in excess of $1.6 billion. With the acquisition of SCC, AFC has a portfolio of five brands operating in over 2,700 restaurants and cafes in 24 countries. AFC's internet Web site can be found at www.afc-online.com. To order coffee, go to Seattle Coffee Company's Web sites at www.seabest.com and www.titalia.com.

Media inquiries or requests for expert commentary or interviews with a member of our leadership team should be directed to Ellen Hartman, Vice President, Corporate Communications, at 770-353-3152.

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