Triarc to Spin Off Royal Crown, Arby’s Units

The owner of Royal Crown and Mistic soft drinks and Arby’s restaurants said it plans to spin off its beverage and fast-food businesses, leaving itself with energy and textile operations. Triarc Cos. said the move will make it easier for the new food and drink operation to raise money for expansion. The new company, which has yet to be named, represents products that account for about 65% of the $1 billion in revenue that Triarc expects to generate this year. New York-based Triarc said its board approved plans to sell as much as 20% of the stock to the public and distribute the remaining stake to shareholders. The spinoff is expected to occur no sooner than mid-1997. In late trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Triarc was down 50 cents a share at $11.875.