AFC Enterprises reaffirms full-year profit outlook

(AP) — AFC Enterprises Inc., which operates Popeyes restaurants, maintained its fiscal 2009 earnings forecast Monday as its pricing helped a key sales figure decline less in the fourth quarter than the prior-year period.

The company still anticipates full-year net income to come in at the upper end of a range of 66 cents to 70 cents per share. It foresees adjusted profit at the high end of its 65 cents to 69 cents per share range.

AFC said its adjusted outlook excludes 11 cents per share interest expense related to a credit amendment and other items.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters, whose estimates normally exclude one-time items, predict full-year earnings of 70 cents per share.