Popeyes adds key market

Article Excerpt

RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL $59.42 (New York symbol QSR; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (905-845-6511; www.rbi.com; Shares o/s: 478.0 million; Market cap: $28.4 billion; Divd. yield: 3.0%) has 2,975 Popeyes (fried chicken) outlets in over 100 countries. The company is now launching its first Popeyes restaurants in the Philippines. That Southeast Asian country of more than 100 million people is a large and growing market. Kuya J Holdings, the owner and operator of 100 Kuya J restaurants in the Philippines, will be the exclusive master franchiser. It will focus on developing and growing the Popeyes brand. In addition to the chain operating under the Kuya J name, the firm has other hospitality businesses in the country, including Isla Sugbu Seafood City and Tsay Cheng Chinese Cuisine. Restaurant Brands is still a hold. hold…