FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2008
Contact: Erin Murrin
(678) 797-5160

National Franchisee Association Chairman's Statement Concerning Ramalco Corporation, Et al. vs. Buger King Corporation (filed July 29, 2008)

“The National Franchisee Association (NFA) unequivocally supports our Florida franchisees who have felt the need to take action against our franchisor to protect their business rights,” said Joseph Anghelone, chairman of the National Franchisee Association, an association of more than 1,200 BURGER KING® franchisees operating more than 5,000 BURGER KING restaurants nation-wide.

“Ramon Moral, Bob Furman and Mike Royal have been tremendous supporters of the BURGER KING brand since the days of Jim McLamore, our corporate founder,” Anghelone said. “In fact, Ramon and Bob are two of only four franchisees ever inducted by the corporation into its prestigious leadership through the years.

“While I don’t wish to comment on specifics of the suit, as we are not a party to it, this legal action impacts our members,” Anghelone said. “Concerning the subject of extended hours, the NFA expects the franchisor, Burger King Corporation (NYSE: BKC), to respect a franchisee’s rights under the franchise agreement. To that end, the position of the NFA has always been that we are not against extended hours, but that the franchisor does not have the enforceable right to mandate extended hours. Therefore, the franchisor should recommend, but not mandate, extended hours and allow franchisees to make the business decision regarding staying open during extended-hour periods.

“Nationwide, franchisees have advised our franchisor that serious safety, security and financial concerns surround the company’s ‘Hall of Fame’ in recognition of these franchisees’ outstanding brand extended-hours initiatives,” said Anghelone. “Many franchisees are implementing this new initiative, although their compliance should not be construed as acceptance of this policy. This makes the efforts by Ramon, Bob and Mike all the more courageous, especially since they have been proudly representing the BURGER KING brand for more than 30 years each.

“On behalf of our members, the NFA has repeatedly advised our franchisor to recommend, but not mandate, extended hours and allow financial and security exceptions to these initiatives. So far, we have been unsuccessful in this dialogue,” Anghelone added. “Franchisees hope the Florida courts will quickly resolve the matter, restoring our independent business rights and safeguarding our employees and customers.”

About National Franchisee Association, Inc.
The NFA represents more than 1,200 business owners who operate as franchisees of Burger King Corporation. BKC reports that approximately 90 percent of BURGER KING restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees, many of them family-owned operations that have been in business for decades.

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