Financial News-AFC Enterprises, Blimpie, IHOP, Schlotzsky's, ServiceMaster, Sonic
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Atlanta-Third-quarter income at AFC Enterprises Inc.,franchisor of Church's Chicken, Cinnabon and Popeyes Chicken& Biscuits, rose 14 percent, boosted by same-store sales gainsat its chicken franchises. -Reuters
New York-New income for the first quarter of fiscal 2002at Blimpie International Inc. was $423,000, up from $160,000 a yearearlier. -Blimpie International Inc.
Glendale, California-IHOP Corp. reported net income of$11.1 million for the third quarter ended September 30, comparedwith $10.1 million a year earlier. -IHOP Corp.
Austin, Texas-Schlotzsky's Inc. announced net incomefor the third quarter rose 358 percent over the same period lastyear. For the first nine months of 2001, the company reported netincome of $2 million, compared to a net loss of $2.7 million forthe same period in 2000. -Schlotzsky's Inc.
Memphis, Tennessee-Third-quarter net earnings atServiceMaster declined by 8 percent, although revenues grewslightly as a result of growth in the company's pest controland home improvement businesses. -Reuters
Oklahoma City-Sonic Corp. expects fiscal first quarterearnings to be at the low end of analysts' estimates, as salescontinue to be hurt by worsening consumer confidence and economicconditions. According to the company, sales at restaurants open forat least a year were well below its target of 2 to 4 percentgrowth, leading it to estimate that sales will be at the low end ofestimates. -Reuters