Press Release - Restaurant Franchise Opportunity

ATLANTA (July 20, 2007) – Raving Brands, a multi-concept franchise portfolio company, announces today Seth Salzman, a co-creator of Moe’s Southwest Grill, has been promoted to senior vice president of Raving Brands, charged with the portfolio’s three early stage concepts – Boneheads Grilled Fish & Piri Piri Chicken, The Flying Biscuit Cafe and family entertainment center, Monkey Joe’s.  Brent McGhee has joined the Atlanta-based company as the director of franchise operations for The Flying Biscuit Cafe, the neighborhood eatery whose biscuits and natural fare has gained national acclaim.

A founding member of the Raving Brands team, Salzman is charged with overseeing strategy, marketing and operations for the three developing concepts.  Salzman brings an in-depth familiarity of early stage concepts to his role having been exposed to not only Moe’s, but many of the portfolio’s other concepts.  He will successfully integrate the passion, energy and success of the three younger concepts with the innovation and infrastructure built at Raving Brands.  Prior to Raving, Salzman spent four years with Bertucci’s Brick Oven Pizza as their regional training manager, and three years with Steak & Ale Restaurants as a corporate senior manager. 

McGhee joins the Biscuit with nearly 20 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry.  He will be responsible for growing the concept and liaising between Raving Brands and its network of franchise partners, working in the field and assisting with staffing and training at new locations.  McGhee is highly experienced in the restaurant industry, spending the last 10 years with Hooters of America. He boasts extensive accomplishments in single and multi-unit management. 

“We have tremendous potential with these three concepts, but each is at a developmental stage where they need strategic and operational leadership if they are to fulfill their potential,” explains Stephen M. LaMastra, president and COO for Raving Brands. “Seth’s years of leadership at the very successful Moe’s Southwest Grill concept, coupled with his fine work to develop Boneheads over the past 18 months, made it clear that Boneheads, Monkey Joe’s and The Flying Biscuit Cafe would be getting the top-notch leadership necessary to grow these concepts.”  

“I’m thrilled to have the increased opportunity to nurture these three dynamic, but very different concepts,” explains Salzman.  “Having a pro like Brent working closely on our first full-service concept, The Flying Biscuit Cafe, will ensure that we grow this iconic Atlanta brand in a thoughtful manner” 

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About Boneheads Grilled Fish & Piri Piri Chicken Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken is the culinary experience where adults seeking fresh, flavorful food in a relaxed environment can indulge in fire-grilled fish seasoned with Boneheads’ signature spices and chicken dishes marinated with Piri Piri sauces. Boneheads, a Raving Brands concept, currently operates seven stores and plans to double in 2008. Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken is the culinary experience where adults seeking fresh, flavorful food in a relaxed environment can indulge in fire-grilled fish seasoned with Boneheads’ signature spices and chicken dishes marinated with Piri Piri sauces. Boneheads, a Raving Brands concept, currently operates seven stores and plans to double in 2008. 

About The Flying Biscuit CafeFounded in 1993 by Delia Champion, The Flying Biscuit Cafe is an eclectic neighborhood restaurant and a nationally recognized Atlanta dining institution.  Atlanta-based Raving Brands, the multi-concept franchise portfolio company acknowledged for its success as a fast casual restaurant franchisor, acquired The Flying Biscuit Cafe in 2006 and is working with Champion to replicate the Biscuit’s success with franchised locations. The Flying Biscuit Cafe plans to grow and share “the biscuit love” with all of its locations featuring natural, hip cuisine and a charming atmosphere. Founded in 1993 by Delia Champion, The Flying Biscuit Cafe is an eclectic neighborhood restaurant and a nationally recognized Atlanta dining institution.  Atlanta-based Raving Brands, the multi-concept franchise portfolio company acknowledged for its success as a fast casual restaurant franchisor, acquired The Flying Biscuit Cafe in 2006 and is working with Champion to replicate the Biscuit’s success with franchised locations. The Flying Biscuit Cafe plans to grow and share “the biscuit love” with all of its locations featuring natural, hip cuisine and a charming atmosphere.

About Monkey Joe’s  Monkey Joe’s is a fun and exciting inflatables-filled indoor facility that provides families with engaging and interactive activity and entertainment -- all day, every day (no special occasion necessary!).  Today Monkey Joe’s operates 14 facilities totaling 168,000 square footage of pure-kid-fun in motion. 

Raving Brands is a multi-concept franchise portfolio company with nine unique brands including Moe’s Southwest Grill, Shane’s Rib Shack and Planet Smoothie.  Ranked #1 in Fast Casual magazine’s “2005 Top 100 Movers and Shakers,” the company’s flagship brand, Moe's Southwest Grill, is a 2005 Inc. magazine Top 25 Company and was rated 6th in Fast Casual magazine’s “2005 Top 100 Movers and Shakers” and was Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2004 Hot Concepts! award winner.  Collectively, Raving Brands expects to have more than 1,000 locations of its brands nationwide in five years.