Rapid Growth Expected to Continue in 2007
Church's Chicken(TM) began 2007 by reaching a significant milestone as the chain opened its 400th international restaurant.
The restaurant, located in Guyana, is the third Church's to open in Guyana since March, 2006. Camex Limited, the franchisee of each Guyana location, expects to add two additional restaurants in the first quarter and finish 2007 with a total of six.
"These openings will make us the largest chicken quick serve restaurant (QSR) franchise in Guyana. We believe that this unit will be a great success and will lead to more store openings in the future," said Gregory De Gannes, Director of Operations for Camex Limited.
Church's 400th international restaurant marks rapid global growth for the Atlanta based chain. Church's first international restaurant opened in 1979. Church's international annual unit growth has been 9% since Church's was acquired by Arcapita, Inc. in December 2004. The growth is part of Church's commitment to building its international business.
"Church's has, for 55 years, continued its tradition and heritage of serving real great tasting chicken at a great value. The consumer is always getting more than they pay for in quality, taste and great value. We have taken this successful heritage worldwide, as Church's is a solid brand that is really poised for growth in the future," said Harsha V. Agadi, CEO of Church's Chicken.
In 2007, Church's has plans to open 60 international locations. The expected 15-percent unit growth rate will result in total sales in excess of $275 million by year-end.
"International sales now make up 25-percent of Church's total sales and this piece of the business will continue to grow rapidly," said Zack A. Kollias, Sr. VP of International Operations. "Last year alone we opened 50 international locations. We expect to enter several new markets in 2007 and believe that significant opportunities exist around the globe."
In 2006, Church's became a billion dollar business and committed to double its size within five years.