Einstein Bros. Bagels Begins Franchising

Popular 450-plus Unit Fast Casual Restaurant Chain Announces First Franchise Deal Signed for Northern Florida Includes 21 Units

(Saturday, June 30, 2007) - Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. (formerly New World Restaurant Group), a leader in the quick-casual segment of the restaurant industry, is now franchising its flagship brand, Einstein Bros. ® Bagels.

With approximately 340 company-owned restaurants and 100-plus licensed locations, Einstein Bros. Bagels is positioned for unprecedented growth. Initially, the company is focusing its franchise growth in the southeastern United States, in non-company owned markets such as Northern Florida where a deal to develop 21 units has already been signed.

Since acquiring the Einstein Bros. Bagels brand in 2001, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group has strategically chosen not to franchise the brand as a means of growth until now. It has also recently ramped up its licensing effort in airport, hospital and college campus locations. Within the last two years, the organization has added more than 45 of its 100-plus existing licensed units and has plans to add 30 to 40 more in 2007. Much of the licensed growth is with major foodservice players like Aramark, Sodexho, HMS Host and more.

"As the concept's success and popularity grows, franchising becomes the logical path," said Paul Carolan, Senior Vice President of Franchising and Licensing for Einstein Noah Restaurant Group. "We have experience in franchising with our Manhattan Bagel brand. Franchising and licensing Einstein Bros. Bagels is Einstein Noah Restaurant Group's vehicle for moving into an aggressive growth phase. It also allows us to more rapidly capitalize on the success of the brand in the fast casual restaurant category."

The brand's bold expansion plans are already taking shape. A multi-unit franchising deal has been signed with MC Squared Investments, LLC, of Orlando, Fla., for Einstein Bros. Bagels locations throughout northern Florida from Jacksonville west through the Panhandle. Growth plans call for additional multi-unit franchise deals in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee. Primarily focused on opening franchise locations in the southeast region of the United States, where licensed units have already built a strong reputation for the brand, the company is looking for veteran, multi-unit franchisees seeking to open a minimum of three to five locations.

"We already have a good name in the southeast with a strong presence of company owned locations in Atlanta & southern Florida and licensed outlets in campus locations throughout the southeast. There is strong demand for even more market penetration," Carolan added. "We want to meet the demand through franchising and licensing and to give veteran franchisees an attractive option for their own growth."

Known best for its famous breakfast sandwiches and bagels, five different flavors of Darn Good Coffee®, flavorful cream cheese shmears and fresh lunchtime sandwiches, Einstein Bros. Bagels has secured its distinctive place among competitors in the rapidly expanding fast casual restaurant category with innovative menu offerings like the new Brothers Blender's Frozen Drinks to keep guests visiting during morning and afternoon hours. Moreover, the brand's trendy restaurant decor and contemporary atmosphere is designed to attract a loyal, more upscale guest base that can feel at home while dining.

"We are a neighborhood brand that wants to make everyone feel as comfortable in one of our locations as they do at home," noted Carolan. "Our guests often refer to the location closest to them as ‘My Einstein's'."

Talented Team Assembled to Launch Einstein Bros. Bagels Franchising

Leading Einstein Bros. into franchising is a talented management core of experienced executives. Paul Carolan, Senior Vice President, oversees the Franchising and Licensing department for Einstein Noah Restaurant Group. Previously, Carolan held top management positions with Aramark and HMS Host. Kevin Kruse and Ron Sacks, both Vice Presidents of Franchise Development, report directly to Carolan. Kruse, a franchising veteran formerly with Arby's and Dairy Queen, is heading up the sales and recruiting efforts for Einstein Bros. In charge of franchise operations for Einstein Bros., Sacks also brings an impressive background to the job, having run Baker's Square and Village Inn Restaurants and holding the top operations positions with Whataburger and Country Kitchens.

About Einstein Noah Restaurant Group

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. is a leading company in the quick casual restaurant industry that operates 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 under the symbol BAGL. Visit www.einsteinnoah.com for additional information.

CONTACT: Jamie Izaks, Fishman Public Relations, 847.945.1300 ext. 228 or jizaks@fishmanpr.

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