I'm still trying to find the perfect fast-food chain that specializes in chicken. Over the weekend, AFC Enterprises (NASDAQ:AFCE) announced a third-quarter loss on a mere 4% uptick in third-quarter revenue. While the AFC in the company's moniker stands for America's Favorite Chicken, if we go by dollar signs it would actually bring in the bronze medal, as the parent of Popeye's lags Yum! Brands' (NYSE:YUM) KFC and privately held Chick-fil-A.
AFC isn't crying foul over fowl, though. In fact, it has spent the last few months shedding its subsidiaries. Cinnabon is now Cinna-gone, and it has sold the international franchising rights to Seattle's Best Coffee -- apparently because the company defines "best" the same way it defines "favorite," as Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) obviously rules the roast roost. And AFC won't be going out with two chicks at the same time, as it plans to sell its Church's chain by the end of the year.
I'm a fan of Popeye's, especially its decadent biscuits and red beans and rice, yet its chicken has never quite kept up to what the Colonel has going on at KFC. Then again, the mashed potatoes at KFC couldn't be any blander. Am I the only one who thinks that instead of putting out deceptive ad campaigns, the company should simply raid Boston Market's recipe drawer for some really killer mashed spuds?
And I'm not going to knock Chick-fil-A. Great lemonade. Awesome sandwiches. But what do I do if I get hungry on a Sunday -- when the chain closes all of its locations?
Perhaps that's why the burger chains like McDonald's (NYSE:MCD), Burger King, and Wendy's (NYSE:WEN) have come on strong with their chicken salads and chicken sandwiches.
Naturally all of this poultry demand has a funny way of driving costs higher -- as AFC's own quarter showed a significant slump in operating margins due to rising chicken costs.
However, wouldn't it be grand if there were one chicken chain that did it all just right? I know, you're itching to email me about that great local chain in your town that's just perfect. Fine. I believe you. Now just tell it to expand.
If fried chicken is unhealthy and grilled chicken is healthy, can you still eat both and lose weight? Are there legitimate fast-food options for those looking to trim down? All this and more -- in the Fools Fighting Fat discussion board. Only on Fool.com.
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz thinks that Taco Bell uses too many adjectives and not enough Chihuahuas in its advertising campaigns. He does not own shares in any companies mentioned in this story.
