Advantica Selects Concord

EFS Concord EFS, Inc. announced Nov. 22, 1999 that Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc. [6] (NASDAQ: DINE) has signed an exclusive contract with Concord for end-to-end payment processing services at more than 1,100 company-owned restaurant locations of its Denny's, Coco's, and Carrows brands.

Advantica also designated Concord as their preferred payment processor, which endorses Concord's services to Advantica's franchisee-owned stores. One of the largest restaurant companies in the U.S., Advantica serves over one million customers a day. In their new agreement with Concord, Advantica extends an existing agreement for front-end point-of-sale processing services, plus adds settlement services—also known as back-end-processing—for seamless end-to-end payment processing. Concord's front-end service supports the acceptance of credit cards and debit cards for payment at Advantica restaurants.

"Concord gives us a complete payment solution, combining superior front-end technology with faultless back-end settlement in one package," said Jerry Wallens, manager of cash and banking at Advantica. "The payment process is the last impression our customers have as they finish their dining experience, so it's important to us to work with a leader like Concord who makes the transaction fast, efficient, and reliable. We have been very happy with the level of service provided by Concord in the past, and we look forward to expanding our relationship."

"Advantica has been a valued client of BUYPASS' since 1994, so we're pleased that they've demonstrated confidence in the end-to-end service that our combined companies can now provide," said Edward A. Labry III, Concord president. BUYPASS Corporation, a subsidiary of Electronic Payment Services, Inc., was acquired by Concord this past spring in a deal that industry analysts applauded for it's front- and back-end cross-selling opportunities.

"Hospitality is one of our fastest growing market segments, and we've developed many new applications to serve the specialized transaction needs of restaurants and hotels," Mr. Labry continued. "We look forward to working with Advantica to help them manage and expand their payment alternatives in the years to come."

Concord is a vertically integrated electronic transaction processor, providing transaction authorization, data capture, settlement and funds transfer services to selected markets. Concord's primary activities include providing credit, debit, check authorization and electronic benefits transfer (EBT) processing services to supermarket, petroleum, convenience store and other retailers; and providing gateway processing, ATM driving and MAC¨ network access to the financial services industry.

Concord also provides electronic payment and payroll services to trucking companies, truck stops, and other segments of the market. Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc. is one of the largest restaurant companies in the United States, operating nearly 2,700 moderately-priced restaurants in the mid-scale and quick-service dining segments.