Burger King Names New Senior Vice President of U.S. Franchise Operations and Development (2/00)

Burger King Corporation announced the appointment of Julio Ramirez as its Senior Vice President of U.S. Franchise Operations and Development, effective immediately. He succeeds Mark Giresi who leaves the company after 15 years to become the vice president of operations for The Limited in Columbus, Ohio.

In this position, Ramirez will be responsible for managing Burger King Corporation's franchise operations in the U.S. and Canada along with the development of new restaurants. He will continue to build an already strong franchise system, which currently encompasses approximately 92% o the BURGER KING® restaurants, in the United States, while seeking new opportunities to grow the brand in new locales around the country. Ramirez will also serve as the liaison between Burger King Corporation and its franchisees as Burger King begins the transformation of its restaurants. He will report directly to Dennis Malamatinas, chief executive officer.

Ramirez, who most recently served as President of the Latin America/Mexico/Caribbean Division, has been with Burger King Corporation for 15 years. He has held several positions of increasing responsibility in marketing and operation beginning as Director of Field Marketing for the U.S. and Director of Field Sales and Promotions for the Southeast Region. He served as the company's Vice President and General Manager for Latin America from 1994 to 1997. During his tenure as President for the Latin America division, he was instrumental in leading the area to produce some of the strongest comparable store sales growth for the brand around the world.

Prior to joining Burger King Corporation, Ramirez held sales and managerial positions with Xerox, Southern Bell, and AT&T Information Systems. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Georgia State University and a MBA degree from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.

Burger King Corporation and its Franchises operate more than 10,800 restaurants in all 50 states and 57 countries and international territories around the world. Since the company's founding in Miami in 1954, the BURGER KING® brand has become recognized for great flame-broiled taste and HAVE IT YOUR WAY® food customization. In fiscal year 1999, the BURGER KING® system has system-wide sales of $10.9 billion. Burger King Corporation is a part of Diageo (NYSE: DEO), the international food and drinks company that includes such brands as Pillsbury, Haagen Dazs, and Guinness.