AFC to Sell 47 Church’s Chicken Eateries

AFC Enterprises Inc. said it agreed to sell 47 Church’s Chicken restaurants in Southern California and Arizona to one of its franchisees, closely held Best American Hospitality Inc. The two companies also announced that Best American acquired the rights to build an additional 100 Church’s Chicken locations. Terms of the agreements weren’t disclosed. Atlanta-based AFC called the agreement the biggest franchise transfer and development agreement in its history. AFC, which also runs the Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits chain, is partly owned by Los Angeles investment firm Freeman Spogli and Chicago investment company Penman Partners. Church’s Chicken has more than 1,250 locations in 27 states and eight countries.