AFC Enterprises to Franchise its Torrefazione Italia® Coffee Cafe Brand

AFC Enterprises®, Inc. announced, this week, the first offering of Franchises under its Torrefazione Italia® Coffee brand at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. The offering marks the first time that AFC Enterprises -- franchisor of brands including Church's Chicken™, Popeyes® Chicken & Biscuits, Cinnabon® World Famous Cinnamon Rolls, and Seattle's Best Coffee® -- has launched the initial Franchise of a cafe concept.

"We're very proud to launch the first franchise offering for Torrefazione Italia Coffee," said Dick Holbrook, president and chief operating officer of AFC Enterprises. "This is the latest step in our plan for the growth of this extraordinary brand, allowing us to expand in key markets, and to take its unique cafe experience to many more consumers. With our resources and learning from 10 years of exceptional Franchising experience, we believe this brand will be a success for franchisees, and an increasingly valuable contributor to our company."

Torrefazione Italia Coffee is a unique brand that features specialty roast coffee at locations with the distinctive ambiance of a classic Italian cafe. With 21 cafes throughout the United States and Canada, Torrefazione Italia Coffee has developed a strategic long-term growth plan for franchise expansion. Currently in major metropolitan cities across the U.S. and British Columbia -- including Seattle, Portland, Chicago, Boston, Dallas and the San Francisco area, along with Vancouver and Victoria, B.C. -- Torrefazione Italia will focus its domestic franchising to increase market share in these cities while expanding to new markets.

AFC is seeking franchisees capable of developing multiple Torrefazione Italia Coffee units. In addition, under AFC's ongoing franchise conversion strategy, some existing company-owned Torrefazione Italia Coffee cafes will be offered for sale. AFC will keep other company-owned cafes as model markets, which will be developed and showcased as best practices for franchisees.

The essence of Torrefazione Italia Coffee cafes is the artisan's approach to fine coffee, through superb roasting, blending, preparation and service. Torrefazione Italia Coffee treats its coffee -- and the coffee cafe -- as an art, serving full-bodied Italian-style blends in colorful hand-painted ceramics, imported from the central Umbrian town of Deruta, and from Tuscany. Customers also enjoy classic Italian treats such as gelato, sorbetto, biscotti and panini sandwiches.

"Torrefazione Italia Coffee is a truly unique concept which embodies the passion, luxury and craft of Italian coffee -- an attention to detail that keeps our customers coming back," said Steve Schickler, president of AFC's Seattle Coffee Company division, which includes Torrefazione Italia Coffee and Seattle's Best Coffee. "We are seeking franchisees who embrace and exemplify the uniqueness of the Torrefazione Italia Coffee brand, and can grow with us."

Marge Barnette, Vice President of New Business Development for Seattle Coffee Company, will manage the sale of Torrefazione Italia Coffee franchises. She previously served as vice president of franchise development for Popeyes® Chicken & Biscuits.