Magic Johnson Enterprises Becomes Burger King Corporation's Newest Franchisee
With a Total of Three BURGER KING(R) Restaurants in Miami
MIAMI, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Burger King Corporation and an affiliate of
Magic Johnson Enterprises announced that the two companies have executed a
multi-year agreement in which basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson's
Company becomes the newest BURGER KING(R) franchisee. Making his mark in
South Florida, Magic's first BURGER KING(R) restaurant, located at 5401 N.W.
7th Avenue and now open for business, hosted a grand opening celebration
today.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031014/BKLOGO )
Working together with the City of Miami, Burger King Corporation and Magic
reached out to several minority contractors through the Neighbors And
Neighbors Association (NANA). NANA works to secure funding that will
invigorate commercial properties and businesses that serve disadvantaged areas
such as Liberty City. Anchoring the South gateway to Osun's Village(C), a
community and economic revitalization initiative which spans four blocks on NW
7th Avenue, this magicized BURGER KING(R) restaurant serves as a catalyst for
the community's enhancement efforts.
Upon completion of the bidding process, Renaissance Builders was chosen as
the primary contractor and Miami-based KDI Architecture, Inc. was brought on
as the architecture and design firm for the project. KDI Architecture
established a unique design through the use of bold colors and rich symbols,
which speak to the African, Caribbean and Latin origins of this multi-cultural
community. The exterior pillars of the restaurant are decorated in mosaic
tiles that have been installed by area youth as a community arts initiative
led by the Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Department's African
Heritage Cultural Arts Center. In addition, the restaurant's interior walls
feature original artwork by local artists installed and supervised by
Community Builders Holistic Development Corporation (CBHDC) -- a non-profit
organization dedicated to utilizing the arts as a medium for economic
development and cultural unity.
There will be a total of three BURGER KING(R) restaurants covered by the
agreement between Magic Johnson Enterprises and Burger King Corporation in
Miami. The properties are located in Liberty City, Doral and North Miami.
The Doral and North Miami restaurants are currently undergoing interior and
exterior renovations and are slated to open in 2005. Burger King Corporation
is thrilled to be re-establishing itself in these neighborhoods by reaching
valued customers while elevating the BURGER KING(R) brand.
"Magic Johnson is a proven entrepreneur in the areas of urban development,
job creation and operations excellence," said Clyde Rucker, senior vice
president, chief support officer, Burger King Corporation. "What's more, he
knows our customers and our employees and how to motivate them to achieve
their full potential. We found Magic to be very inspirational. We knew we
wanted to work with him to help us intensify our focus on developing the
retail environment within urban markets as we continue building momentum for
the BURGER KING(R) brand."
"We believe that increasing our focus on existing minority-owned
franchisees as well as developing more minority-owned franchises is a
significant benefit for the BURGER KING(R) system, and in addition, healthy
franchisees help build wealth and expand job opportunities within urban
communities in our hometown," said Rucker.
"In getting to know Burger King Corporation, I've come to appreciate their
respect for people, their core values and their high standards, and I am proud
to be associated with this global company as it continues to grow," said
Earvin "Magic" Johnson, chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises. "With
these restaurants, we expect that new jobs will be created and relationships
with minority contractors will be strengthened in Miami and Miami-Dade
County."
"We are very fortunate to welcome and support a partnership between two
true pros in Magic Johnson and BURGER KING(R)," said City of Miami Mayor Manny
Diaz. "Magic's business acumen and Burger King Corporation's commitment to
this community promises that our new 'Magic City' BURGER KING(R) Restaurant
will be a wonderful success that will serve as a cornerstone for our urban
renewal efforts in Liberty City and Miami in general."
"My thanks to Magic Johnson for his willingness to invest in the future of
Miami-Dade County," said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dr. Barbara Carey-
Shuler. "It's a win-win situation. The public benefits by having a well-
managed and reputable business enterprise in its neighborhood; contractors get
a chance to build; and local people get a chance to work."
Although Johnson is universally known for his 13-year professional NBA
career with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he led them to nine appearances in
the NBA Finals and five championships -- Johnson has re-defined himself as a
businessman by revitalizing under-served communities focused on providing
quality entertainment services, creating much needed jobs and employing local
minority contractors and service vendors. To date, Johnson has provided more
than 12,000 jobs to minorities through his many business ventures. They
include, Starbucks Coffee, Magic Johnson Theatres, Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund,
Magic Johnson 24 Hour Fitness Clubs, TGIF Restaurants and now BURGER KING(R).
"Magic Johnson has the know-how and the resources to operate restaurants
that can become an integral part of each local community by providing quality
food and service and also by providing programs that give back to the guests
in the cities in which we serve," said Rucker. "Magic's business ventures have
helped revitalize neglected communities, and we are confident that his
phenomenal track record will translate into positive experiences for our
customers, our employees and our vendor partners."
About Magic Johnson's Business and Charitable Interests
Earvin "Magic" Johnson is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Magic
Johnson Enterprises (MJE), which is responsible for the direction and
expansion of the Magic Johnson Brand. He also heads Johnson Development
Corporation, which fosters local growth and financial empowerment in long-
neglected urban and suburban neighborhoods; and the Magic Johnson Foundation
(MJF) -- a non-profit entity addressing the critical issues of health,
technology, educational and social needs of inner-city youth. Additionally,
MJF empowers minority communities through advancing and supporting worthy
charitable organizations.
About Burger King Corporation
The BURGER KING(R) system operates more than 11,200 restaurants in all 50
states and in 62 countries and territories around the world. Ninety percent of
BURGER KING(R) Restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees,
many of them family-owned operations that have been in business for decades.
Burger King Holdings, Inc., the parent company, is private and
independently owned by an equity sponsor group comprised of Texas Pacific
Group, Bain Capital and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners. In fiscal year ending
June 30, 2004, Burger King Corporation had system-wide sales of $11.1 billion.
To learn more about BURGER KING, please visit the company's website at
http://www.burgerking.com .
SOURCE Burger King Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.burgerking.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031014/BKLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/124650.html
CONTACT:
Alison Russell of Burger King Corporation,
+1-305-378-3709, or arussell@whopper.com, or Christy Cal, PR
Consultant, +1-305-662-7152, or
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