EXHIBIT 99.1



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AFC Enterprises Announces Exploration of Strategic Alternatives for Cinnabon

ATLANTA, April 20 -- AFC Enterprises, Inc. (Ticker: AFCE), the franchisor and
operator of Popeyes(R) Chicken & Biscuits, Church's Chicken(TM), Cinnabon(R) and
the franchisor of Seattle's Best Coffee(R) in Hawaii, on military bases and
internationally, today announced its intention to explore strategic alternatives
with respect to its Cinnabon subsidiary, including a possible sale, as part of
AFC's continued effort to sharpen its strategic focus and maximize shareholder
value. Cinnabon also owns the international franchise rights for Seattle's Best
Coffee in eleven countries, Hawaii, and U.S. military bases, which is also
expected to be part of any transaction. The Company's Board of Directors has
engaged Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. to advise it in connection with the exploration
of strategic alternatives for Cinnabon, including a possible sale.

Cinnabon's continued growth primarily in traditional retail locations such as
malls, airports and travel venues has resulted in 617 system-wide bakeries as of
February 22, 2004. In addition, Cinnabon has increasingly leveraged its strong
brand equity to expand into the consumer products and food categories through
licensing. Most recently, Cinnabon entered into licensing agreements for Betty
Crocker(R) Cinnamon Streusel Muffin Mix, Orville Redenbacher's(R) gourmet
popcorn, Lotta Luv LLC lip gloss and lip balms, and Sun-Maid(R) Raisin Bread.
Cinnabon has executed its licensing strategy through the mass merchandising,
club store and grocery distribution channels with major retailers such as
Wal-Mart, Target, Costco and Sam's Club. In 2003, Cinnabon had over 10,000 of
these distribution outlets selling Cinnabon licensed products.

Frank Belatti, Chairman and CEO of AFC Enterprises, stated, "The action
announced today illustrates AFC's ongoing commitment to refine and focus our
business model. Since AFC acquired Cinnabon in October 1998, Cinnabon has
pursued growing its business through retail franchising while identifying and
leveraging other areas of growth through its licensing initiatives. We believe
that the value of Cinnabon will be maximized by positioning the brand to take
full advantage of such potential future growth opportunities, and we will be
exploring alternatives to do so."

There can be no assurance that the Company will implement any strategic
alternatives for its Cinnabon subsidiary.

Corporate Profile

AFC Enterprises, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of 4,091 restaurants,
bakeries and cafes as of February 22, 2004, in the United States, Puerto Rico
and 36 foreign countries under the brand names Popeyes(R) Chicken & Biscuits,
Church's Chicken(TM) and Cinnabon(R), and the franchisor of Seattle's Best
Coffee(R) in Hawaii, on military bases and internationally. AFC's primary
objective is to be the world's Franchisor of Choice(R) by offering investment
opportunities in highly recognizable brands and exceptional franchisee support
systems and services. AFC Enterprises can be found on the World Wide Web at
www.afce.com .

     AFC Contact Information:
     Felise Glantz Kissell, Vice President, Investor Relations & Finance
     (770) 353-3086 or fkissell@afce.com

Forward-Looking Statement: Certain statements in this release, and other written
or oral statements made by or on behalf of AFC or its brands are
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws.
Statements regarding future events and developments and our future performance,
as well as management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections
relating to the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
these laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are
adverse effects of litigation or regulatory actions arising in connection with
the restatement of our previously issued financial statements, the loss of
franchisees and other business partners, failure or our franchisees, the loss of
senior management and the inability to attract and retain additional qualified
management personnel, a decline in the number of new units to be opened by
franchisees, the inability to relist




our securities with the Nasdaq National Market or another major securities
market or exchange, our inability to address deficiencies and weaknesses in our
internal controls, limitations on our business under our credit facility, our
inability to enter into new franchise relationships, and a decline in our
ability to franchisee new units, increased cost of our principal food products,
labor shortages, or increased labor costs, slowed expansion into new markets,
changes in consumer preferences and demographic trends, as well as concerns
about health or food quality, the ability of our competitors to successfully
manage their respective operations in the foodservice industry, unexpected and
adverse fluctuations in quarterly results, increased government regulation,
growth in our franchise system that exceeds our resources to serve that growth,
supply and delivery shortages or interruptions, currency, economic and political
factors that affect our international operations, inadequate protection of our
intellectual property and liabilities for environmental contamination. You
should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, since those
statements speak only as of the date they are made.