Seattle's Best Coffee® Signs Agreement For Development Of 16 Cafes In Phoenix/Maricopa County Area

Seattle's Best Coffee, LLC, a subsidiary of AFC Enterprises, Inc. reached an agreement with RMB Business Enterprises to develop 16 Seattle's Best Coffee cafes in the Phoenix / Maricopa County market.

"We are pleased that our new relationship with RMB Business Enterprises will develop the Seattle's Best Coffee cafe market in the Phoenix area," said Steve Schickler, President of Seattle Coffee Company, parent company of Seattle's Best Coffee. "We are able to offer our Franchise developers a nationally-known brand, unparalleled franchise support, and quality specialty coffee products to fit a variety of tastes."

The first cafe will open later this summer in Phoenix at 48th Street and Warner. The new Seattle's Best Coffee cafes will offer high-quality specialty coffee beverages and menu items. Each beverage will be handcrafted, featuring Seattle's Best Coffee's famous coffeehouse blends. These popular fresh roasted coffees have a bold, rich flavor, with a smooth and easy finish.

RMB Business Enterprises is made up of three partners, including Mike Timmins, president; vice president Brian Timmins; and vice president Rick Timmins. "We are delighted to offer residents in Maricopa County a great alternative for specialty coffee," said Mike Timmins. "Seattle's Best Coffee products have a reputation for the kind of quality our customers will expect and appreciate."

Founded in 1971, Seattle Coffee Company, a subsidiary of AFC Enterprises, Inc., Franchises and operates 155 Seattle's Best Coffee® and 21 Torrefazione Italia® Coffee cafes in eight countries. The company has more than 7,200 wholesale points of distribution, including grocery stores, restaurants, foodservice locations, airlines and hotels. All of the company's coffee beans are roasted at facilities on Vashon Island, Washington. Seattle's Best Coffee offers a wide selection of coffee blends including a full line of organic coffee. The company supports TransFair USA, a non-profit monitoring agency, by offering Fair Trade Certified® coffee. Through this association, Seattle's Best Coffee pays a premium above the market rate for coffee beans to help fund education, housing and community projects within coffee growing regions in Central America. Seattle's Best Coffee also offers organic coffee certified by the Organic Crop Improvement Association ("OCIA"). The OCIA is an international program of certification with strict organic standards. It is the world's largest organic certification agency and has been accredited by the USDA. OCIA is a respected voice in the international organic community.

AFC Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFCE) is the franchisor and operator of more than 3,857 restaurants, bakeries and cafes in the United States, Puerto Rico, and 33 other countries under the brand names Church's Chicken, 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 $2.6 billion in 2001.