recent plunge in the company's share price a "unique circumstance.'' Mr. Ian Paton said yesterday that a shareholder chose to liquidate shares "in a very rapid manner'' but preferred not to discuss in detail the December 13 trade, which saw the stock drop $4.25 to $26.25 on volume of 568 shares.

The trade sw the incorporated Bermuda KFC franchise -- a constituent of the Bermuda Stock Exchange index -- hit its 1994 low. It had traded at a high of $32.25 earlier in the year.

In 1993 the stock traded as high as $33.25 and as low as $27.625.

"I am aware of the situation'' and the seller "lost what I consider to be good market value,'' said Mr. Paton.

"Normally in a year we don't trade a thousand shares..I personally bought the stock (recently) at $30,'' he added.

Despite expanding its services and continuing to pay healthy dividends for its shareholders, the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) stock price has not regained previous levels.

According to Mr. Paton, sales at the new KFC pizza location are higher than projected.

"I don't expect (a similar price for sale of shares) to be repeated,'' he added.

The company recently announced its usual quarterly dividend of 40 cents a share, to be paid January 12, 1995, while its pizza restaurant, adjacent to the original location on Queen Street, opened two weeks ago.

The company has about 245,000 issued and outstanding shares.

"For whatever reason, people bid down the price of the stock,'' noted Mr.

Greg Wojciechowski, BSE project manager.

"We (the exchange) are an intermediary'' and not connected with the bid and ask prices for the stock.

"I cannot see there being any connection (between the new addition and the share price),'' said KFC general manager Ms Mya Fitzsimmons.

The expansion had resulted in about 30 new part-time employees, according to Ms Fitzsimmons.

"The new KFC pizza store has done well so far and we plan to have the new delivery and carry out services available by the end of January,'' she added.

The store had planned for the new services to be available this month.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, are owned by Pepsico Restaurants International.

Incorporated in 1970, KFC will celebrate its 25th year in Bermuda on February 14, 1995.

The company reported its profits were up 62 percent for fiscal 1994 to more than $300,000.