Advantica Announces Executive Financial Management Change.

Business Editors

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SPARTANBURG, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2001

Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc. (OTCBB: DINE) announced today that Ronald B. Hutchison has resigned as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Denny's.

At the request of Advantica's board of directors, he has agreed to remain for a period of time in the same capacity at Advantica to assist its chairman, James B. Adamson, in the divestiture of the company's Coco's and Carrows operations. Replacing Hutchison as CFO at Denny's will be Andrew F. Green, currently senior vice president, planning and corporate controller.

Hutchison joined Advantica in 1995 and led the company through its successful financial restructuring during 1997 that removed nearly $1.1 billion in debt and significantly improved the company's financial outlook. Under his financial leadership, Advantica sold its Hardee's and Quincy's operations, two underperforming brands, and its quick-service El Pollo Loco operations, using the proceeds to further reduce debt and to provide funds for remodeling of its Denny's restaurants. He also played a key role in developing Advantica's business strategy to focus exclusively on its Denny's brand and to become a more franchise-based operation.

Hutchison said, "With Advantica's financial reengineering nearly complete and the company's overall business strategy firmly in place, I believe it is now time to step down. Denny's has a bright future under the leadership of newly announced CEO Nelson Marchioli and now with Andrew Green leading the Denny's financial organization."

Andrew Green, 45, joined Advantica in 1996 as director of planning. He has been senior vice president, planning and controller since 1997. Prior to Advantica, Green held a variety of senior financial positions during 14 years at Ryder System, Inc., including chief financial officer of the public transportation group. Green holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a bachelor's degree from Tulane University. He is a certified public accountant.

Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc. is one of the largest restaurant companies in the United States, operating over 2,400 moderately-priced restaurants in the mid-scale dining segment. Advantica's core brand is Denny's, the nation's largest full-service family dining restaurant, operating over 1,800 company and franchise restaurants. The company is continuing to market for divestiture FRD Acquisition Company, the parent company of Coco's and Carrows.

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