USA: Burger King Corporation Plans an Orderly Transition of Distribution Services

Burger King Corporation announced today that it plans an orderly transition of distribution services as the Burger King® system leaves its relationship with AmeriServe Food Distribution, Inc."The Burger King system has already arranged for distribution services for the approximately 5,800 Burger King restaurants currently served by AmeriServe," said Tulin Tuzel, senior vice president of worldwide supply and research & development and chief technology officer. "We have agreed with AmeriServe to work through a smooth transition to new distributors over the next several months. We expect to complete the transition by July."Burger King said that the Debtor-In-Possession financing it put in place to help AmeriServe meet its operating expenses following the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on January 31, 2000, will remain in effect until August.Burger King Corporation and its franchisees operate more than 10,850 restaurants in all 50 states and 57 countries and international territories around the world, with more than 92% of BURGER KING® restaurants owned and operated by independent franchisees. Since the company's founding in Miami in 1954, the BURGER KING® brand has become recognized for great flame-broiled taste and HAVE IT YOUR WAY® food customization. In fiscal year 1999, the BURGER KING® system has system-wide sales of $10.9 billion. Burger King Corporation is a part of Diageo (NYSE: DEO), the international food and drinks company, that includes such brands as Pillsbury, Haagen Dazs, and Guinness. To learn more about the BURGER KING® system, please visit the company's website at