Obee’s Signs First International Contract; Chain To Open 143 Mexico Locations

PORT CHARLOTTE, FLA (Monday, July 28, 2003) - Obee’s Soups, Salads and Subs is giving budding entrepreneurs south of the border the opportunity to live out the American Dream of owning their own business with plans to open 49 locations in Mexico by 2008.

Obee’s, one of the fastest growing sub franchises in the United States, recently signed its first International agreement with Mexican entrepreneur Evaristo Zambrano, which will introduce the concept for the first time to the Mexican market. Two Obee’s locations are scheduled to open in the Monterrey, Mexico area in early Fall 2003, with additional locations to follow in Nuevo Leon, Puebla, Queretaro and Toluca.

Zambrano’s son, Evaristo Jr., 41 discovered Obee’s during an Internet search for franchise opportunities to expand the family’s already diverse business portfolio, which includes owning a law firm and a bull fighting ring in Monterrey. Zambrano, who received his law degree at age 65 from Universidad Tecnologica de Mexico, is well known throughout Mexico for his reputation as a skilled Equestrian Matador, racecar driver and airplane pilot. With a solid background in several business arenas, ranging from insurance to real estate to franchising, the Zambrano family said they saw Obee’s as an ideal way to combine their skills and start a family business.

“As veterans to the franchising industry, Obee’s was a perfect fit – both for our family and for the Mexico market,” said Evaristo Zambrano Jr., who spent more than five years in marketing and promotions with Midas of Mexico. “The flexibility of the Obee’s concept combined with the demand for fresh food restaurant concepts in Mexico made it ideal. We look forward to introducing Obee’s fresh, high-quality product to the Mexican people”

Obee’s Mexico locations will serve subs made with the same high quality American meats, cheeses and condiments available at Obee’s United States locations. Additionally, to satisfy the Mexican palette, Obee’s Mexico will customize their menu to include Mexican favorites salva negra, a gourmet pork product made in Central Mexico and a chipotle pepper sauce as a condiment. As well as traditional American soups available at all Obee’s Soup, Salad and Subs, Mexico locations will also offer tortilla soup and sopa poblana, a hot and spicy soup created in Puebla, Mexico.

Founded in 1995 by seasoned entrepreneur Jim Patrick, the Obee’s Soup, Salad and Sub concept was created to help hard-working, everyday people live out the American Dream of owning their own business. Today, with more than 1,400 store agreements signed in the United States, Patrick said he believes it is time to share the Obee’s success internationally.

“Obee’s rapid growth and overwhelming success in the United States is great predictor of our future achievements in markets like Mexico,” Patrick said. “Mexicans and Americans share an appetite for quality fresh food and a desire for a healthy alternative to the pizza and burger concepts that saturate the international quick service food market.”

Offering franchisees a simple concept that is easy to operate, Obee’s has a low initial investment, minimal space requirements and allows its owners to enjoy a balanced lifestyle. The total investment to open an Obee’s sub shop in Mexico is approximately $135,000, which includes the franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment, initial inventory, deposits and working capital. Obee’s offers opportunities for both single and multiple owners. Special incentive programs assist owners in reducing the cost of building and operating a multi-unit territory.

Obee’s is based in Port Charlotte, Florida and currently operates 47units, with more than 48 more slated to open within the next six months. Patrick has signed agreements with 41 area developers in 23 states, who have committed to open more than 1,400 locations. Additionally, in June of 2003, the company signed its first international contract with the country of Mexico representing a total of 143 locations.

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