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Popeyes names new president of U.S. operations

March 6, 2012

AFC Enterprises Inc., the franchisor and operator of Popeyes restaurants, has announced that U.S. chief operating officer Ralph W. Bower has been named president - U.S. of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

In his new role, Bower, 49, will be responsible for leading day-to-day U.S. operations for Popeyes restaurants. He will lead the Popeyes U.S. team in delivering strategic initiatives, ramping up quality unit growth, nurturing franchise relationships, and mining strategic insights to drive business decision making.

"Ralph is ideally suited to lead our U.S. Popeyes system. He has done an outstanding job as our U.S. chief operating officer and I am confident that he will bring the same enthusiasm and innovative thinking to his new role as president – U.S. He brings a wealth of strategic and operational experience, a broad skill set and a truly impressive track record of accomplishment," said Cheryl A. Bachelder, CEO.

Bachelder will remain as CEO of AFC Enterprises Inc. and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

Bower became COO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in February 2008.

From 2006 to 2008, he was the KFC operations leader responsible for more than 1,300 KFC franchised restaurants in the western United States. Prior, he led KFC company operations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

From 2002 to 2003, Bower directed the guest satisfaction function for KFC. Before joining KFC, he was employed by Western Ohio Pizza, a franchisee of Domino's Pizza, overseeing operations in Dayton, Ohio, and Indianapolis.

Bower began his restaurant career with the second largest Domino's franchise organization, Team Washington, where he was a regional director. Prior to his restaurant experience, he served as an officer in the United States Navy.

Bower holds a bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy and a masters of Business Administration from Emory University.

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