LAKEWOOD, Colo., March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the signing of a multi-unit development agreement with Addicting Food Concepts Operators, INC. to franchise Einstein Bros.(R) Bagels restaurants and continue to expand the popular brand.
Based in Orange County, California, Addicting Food Concepts Operators, INC. plans to open five Einstein Bros. restaurants within the next five years in southern Orange County. The first location is slated to open by March 2010.
"The craveable food and comfortable atmosphere of the popular Einstein Bros. brand fit in well with the neighborhood," said Alex Mendoza, president of Addicting Food Concepts Operators, INC. "I am pleased that we are planning to bring its neighborhood friendly atmosphere and variety of great tasting menu items with high-quality ingredients and quick casual service to the residents."
Mendoza and his business partner, Ricardo Voegelin, vice president and chief financial officer of Addicting Food Concepts Operators, INC., join the Einstein Bros. family with several years of food industry experience behind them. Mendoza previously ran company operations for several food concepts, including: Northgate Market grocery stores, El Gallo Giro Mexican restaurants, and CoCo's Restaurant and Bakeries.
As the franchised restaurants open their doors, neighbors and guests in Orange County will be able to fill their breakfast, lunch and snack cravings with Einstein Bros. Bagels' menu, featuring award-winning bagels and shmear varieties, made-to-order breakfast and lunch sandwiches, Darn Good Coffee and specialty coffee drinks, hearty soups, fresh innovative salads, baked goods and decadent desserts.
"We believe that Addicting Food Concepts Operators, INC. is going to be a great franchisee for the continued growth of our brand," said Kevin Kruse, vice president of franchise development. "We are pleased to see Alex and Ricardo join the Einstein Bros. Bagels family and are committed to supporting them and all of our franchisees, present and future, as the system continues to grow."
Paul Carolan, senior vice president of franchising and licensing, added, "We believe that executing our aggressive growth phase with franchise partners such as Alex and Ricardo is a sign that we are attracting high quality investors."
Since late-2007 when Einstein Noah Restaurant Group began to franchise the Einstein Bros. brand, the company has signed seven multi-unit franchise agreements which, when fully developed, represent a total of 49 stores. The first two franchise locations opened in Jacksonville, Florida and Rogers, Arkansas in 2008. By the end of 2009, additional locations are slated to be open in Georgia, Texas, Florida and Arkansas.
"Our franchise and licensing efforts are a part of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group's growth strategy," added Carolan. "Demand for the brand is building and we intend to see that we expand with the right franchise partners who can carry on the Einstein Bros. tradition."
About Einstein Noah Restaurant Group
Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. is a leading company in the quick casual restaurant industry that operates and licenses locations primarily under the Einstein Bros. and Noah's New York Bagels brands and primarily franchises locations under the Manhattan Bagel brand. The company's retail system consists of approximately 600 restaurants in 36 states and the District of Columbia. It also operates a dough production facility. The company's stock is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol BAGL. Visit http://www.einsteinnoah.com/ for additional information. For information about franchise opportunities, contact Kevin Kruse at kkruse@einsteinnoah.com.
Forward looking statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "forecast," "estimate," "project," "plan to," "is designed to," "expectations," "intend," "indications," "expect," "should," "would," "believe," "target," "trend," "will be able," "is going to be," "is slated to," "will play" and similar expressions and all statements which are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results or achievements to differ from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to the following: the ability of Addicting Food Concepts Operators, INC. to build, open and successfully run Einstein Bros. locations is dependent upon, among other factors, its ability to find suitable locations, reach acceptable lease terms, obtain acceptable financing, have adequate capital, find acceptable contractors, obtain licenses and permits, locate and train staff appropriately and properly manage the new restaurants. These and other risks are more fully discussed in the Company's SEC filings.
CONTACT: Lauren Henderson, (847) 945-1300
