POPEYES SET TO SHOW MUSCLE IN LOS ANGELES

ATLANTA -- America's Favorite Chicken Co. here, the parent company of Churchs Chicken and Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, has targeted the Los Angeles area for major expansion of its Popeyes chain into retail outlets.

n negotiations with two supermarket chains, but we can't name them at this time," Joe Genovese, AFC's chief development officer, told SN.

Kroger Co., Cincinnati, was the first supermarket chain AFC linked up with, a little over a year ago. AFC has units under both its Popeyes and Churchs banners inside Kroger stores in the Atlanta Kroger market area, and in Dallas Kroger stores. The most recently opened was a Churchs in a Kroger in Columbus, Ohio.

"Los Angeles clearly offers us tremendous potential for franchise growth, giving us opportunities to develop both freestanding and alternative venue Popeyes restaurants," Genovese added. He said Popeyes may co-brand or bundle with other fast-food concepts in the Los Angeles area.

Popeyes opened its first restaurant in Los Angeles in 1982 and currently operates 82 restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area.

Popeyes will support the strategic plan by kicking off an ad campaign in the Los Angeles area.

AFC has more than 2,250 Popeyes and Churchs worldwide.