Church’s Chicken announced today the completion of a deal with WETCO Restaurant Group, LLC, to convert 35 company-operated restaurants throughout Louisiana, into franchise ownership. WETCO Restaurant Group, LLC is owned and operated by businessman W. E. “Bill” Tucker, Jr. of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This purchase brings the total number of WETCO-owned and operated Church’s Chicken restaurants to 39.

“We are delighted to provide another vehicle for growth to one of our existing franchise partners,” said Hala Moddelmog, president of Church’s Chicken. “This deal follows our franchise growth model by providing more opportunities for success for AFC franchise partners.”

This sale represents part of AFC Enterprises’ ongoing business strategy of converting hundreds of its company owned and operated units to franchise units, while retaining a smaller number of units which will serve as best-practice models for the entire system. In addition, WETCO Restaurant Group, LLC has signed an agreement to build an additional 14 Church’s restaurants, which will be added to its current holdings.

“This acquisition represents an excellent opportunity for WETCO to further its goal of becoming one of the premier QSR operators in the country, while making a substantial investment in the urban community historically served by the Church’s Chicken concept,” said Bill Tucker, CEO & President of WETCO Restaurant Group, LLC.