ATLANTA - April 13, 2005 - Planet Smoothie, one of the country's leading smoothie companies, wants to send a message to the fast food industry: "leave breakfast alone."  In response to the continued ambush of fat, calorie and sodium-rich breakfasts offered by America's fast food giants, Planet Smoothie is countering with a breakfast line-up designed to keep you alive and kicking.   

  According to author S. Jay Olshansky, a longevity researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago, today's younger generation runs the risk of having shorter and less healthy lives than their parents.  Experts believe that feeding that fact are products directly aimed at young people, some containing as much as 47 grams of fat and 1,860 milligrams of sodium.  Approximately, 127 million U.S. adults are overweight and one in five deaths can be attributed to coronary heart disease.

"The consumer desperately needs help in the morning with healthy options," explains Chris Morocco, partner, Raving Brands which operates Planet Smoothie.  "The most important meal of the day has become the most sabotaged with donuts, sausage biscuits and now fat omelets.  It's our responsibility to give consumers and their families a better start in the morning." 

Rolling out initially in select markets, Planet Smoothie is introducing five new breakfast offerings designed to appeal to a variety of consumers - Acai Energy Bowl; Acai Energy Smoothie; EggHead Panini; Honey and Oats Smoothie; and Frozen Goat Coffee Smoothie. 

Acai Energy Bowl - An organic and natural bowl of energy:  Acai with fresh banana and apple juice layered with granola and sliced banana Acai Energy Smoothie - Acai puree with a touch of apple or orange juice, Egghead Panini - Egg Beaters and low-fat mozzarella cheese on pressed flatbread Honey and Oats Smoothie - Cinnamon, oatmeal, honey and fruit make this a cholesterol reducing favorite. Add a Blast to customize vitamins and supplements to your dietary goals (energy, anti-oxidant, stress relief, fat burner, protein, multi-vitamin)

Frozen Goat Coffee Smoothie - Classic blend of frozen yogurt, bananas and coffee

At the core of Planet Smoothie's new breakfast menu is Acai, an all natural energy fruit from Amazon palmberries.  Wild harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, Acai tastes like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate.  One of Oprah's "Ten Superfoods for Age-Defying Beauty," Acai is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential omegas.  Acai has nearly twice the anti-oxidants of blueberries, 10 times the Vitamin C of orange juice, and natural ginseng and guarana.

For years, doctors have been advocating the benefits of red wine, olive oil or anthocyanins," explains Morocco.  "Our Acai Bowl and Acai Smoothie have 10-30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.  And there is a sustained energy and strength as well as mental awareness that is triggered as a result of amino acids and trace elements found in our Acai products.  It's the direct opposite of a fat-laden "Enormous Omelet Sandwich" ... breakfast that is being purchased by more than those consumers who burn high amounts of calories as a result of their occupation."  

About Planet Smoothie
Founded in 1995 in Atlanta by highly successful quick casual entrepreneur Martin Sprock, Planet Smoothie operates 138 units in 20 states.  Planet Smoothie is the original smoothie concept featuring fresh fruit smoothies infused with vitamins and nutrients in five categories:  Booster Blast, Fat Burner Blast, Wellness, Workout and Cool Blends.  Planet Smoothie Café is a quick casual healthy café concept featuring fresh salads, Panini sandwiches, gourmet wraps and a line of fresh juices in addition to its trademark smoothie line.  Planet Smoothie and Planet Smoothie Café are part of the Raving Brands portfolio, which includes Moe's Southwest Grill, Mama Fu's Asian House, Doc Green's Gourmet Salads, PJ's Coffee and Wine Bar and Shane's Rib Shack. 

Source:Planet Smoothie

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