AFC Enterprises Announces 2008 Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call and Webcast and Heinz Declares Quarterly Dividend

City of Industry, CA --(www.USEquityNews.com)-- 08/15/2008 - Consumer Goods industry alert provided by U.S. Equity News. AFC Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFCE), the franchisor and operator of Popeyes(R) restaurants, recently announced that its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2008 which ended July 13, 2008 will be filed on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, after market close. The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Time to review the results and provide an update on the strategic plan. A live listen-only webcast of the conference call will be available on the AFC website at http://www.afce.com . A replay of the conference call will be available for 90 days at the Company's website or through a dial-in number for a limited time following the call.



More than 30 percent of consumers are eating at home more and eating out less and 40 percent feel worse off than a year ago as shoppers continue to grapple with managing their budgets during uncertain economic times, according to a new study released recently by Unilever (NYSE: UN), one of the world's largest consumer products companies. The study, Winning Shoppers in Turbulent Times - A Unilever Trip Management Report, reveals how different demographic groups will change their shopping habits as belts continue to tighten during challenging economic times. "Consumers are clearly feeling the effects of a perfect storm of challenging economic events such as the mortgage crisis, stock market volatility, and rising energy costs," said Lisa Klauser, Vice President of Consumer and Customer Solutions, Unilever U.S. "They are reacting by taking a new approach to shopping as our study found that quick trips to the grocery store are declining and major stock-up trips that allow consumers to replenish their cupboards for a long period of time are on the upswing."

The H. J. Heinz Company (NYSE: HNZ) announced recently that its Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends on both common and preferred stock. 41.5 cents per share on the Company's 25 cent par value Common Stock payable on October 10, 2008 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 22, 2008. 42.5 cents per share on the Company's Third Cumulative Preferred Stock, $1.70 First Series, payable October 1, 2008 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 22, 2008.

NutraCea (OTCBB: NTRZ), a world leader in stabilized rice bran (SRB) nutrient research and technology, recently announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2008. The Company reported net revenues of $10.3 million for the second quarter of 2008, compared to net revenues of $13.0 million for the second quarter of 2007. The net revenues for the second quarter of 2007 included a one-time license fee of $5.0 million (non-recurring) without which net revenues for the second quarter 2007 would have been $8,000,000. Sequentially, net revenues for the second quarter of 2008 rose 102% over first quarter 2008 net revenues of $5.1 million. The Company's two business segments, NutraCea and Irgovel, recorded net revenues of $3.9 million and $6.4 million, respectively, for second quarter 2008.

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