Abuelo's Continues to Take Its Mexican Flavor Nationwide.

Mexican Dining Concept Continues Rapid Expansion Plans

LUBBOCK, Texas -- One of the nation's leading restaurant chains, Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy, continues expanding its presence throughout the Midwestern and Southeastern regions of the United States. Abuelo's opened its first Virginia location in Roanoke this week, and is scheduled to open its first Florida restaurant in Lakeland in early 2007. Deals are also in place for 2007 openings in Canton, Ohio; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Brookfield, Wisc.; and Chesapeake, Va., with a number of other real estate locations currently in negotiation.

"We're looking forward to bringing Abuelo's unique flavors of Mexico to new markets throughout the nation," said Bob Lin, president of Food Concepts International, Abuelo's parent company. "Abuelo's has experienced five consecutive years of growth and we plan to continue this trend by focusing on what works for us: serving incredible Mexican food in a beautiful, authentic Mexican atmosphere with outstanding service - all at a remarkable value."

Among its recent highlights, Abuelo's has expanded into new markets in 2006 with restaurants in Warrensville Heights, Ohio; Traders Point/Indianapolis and Merrillville, Ind.; Middleton, Wisc.; Lexington, Ky.; Knoxville, Tenn.; College Station, Texas and Roanoke, Va.

"Through our new markets, Abuelo's has reached a new audience for our concept and the response has been overwhelming," added Lin. "Our successful openings have energized us for even more growth in the future. We look forward to moving into even more markets nationwide, and our guests can expect our visibility to continue to grow."

Abuelo's restaurants are designed after classical Mexican themes with such elements as sky-painted ceilings, imported stonework and statues and hand-painted murals depicting the history of Mexico. The food reflects the creativity and authentic flavors of coastal and interior Mexico, combining consistency in food quality, colorful plate presentations, superior service and an impressive Mexican courtyard atmosphere.

About Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy Restaurants

Since its first opening in 1989, Abuelo's has continually been on the leading edge of menu creativity, combining consistency in food quality, colorful plate presentations, superior service and an impressive Mexican courtyard-themed atmosphere. Abuelo's restaurants, which were recently listed in Restaurants & Institutions' "Top 400 Sales Growth Leaders" annual ranking, are owned and operated by Food Concepts International of Lubbock, Texas. Abuelo's was also ranked as one of the top chain restaurants in America, the top-ranked Mexican food restaurant and highlighted as one of seven restaurant chains offering the best combination of price and quality in a recent survey by a leading national consumer magazine.

Abuelo's currently has locations in Texas in Abilene, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, College Station, Hurst, Lewisville, Lubbock, Midland, East Plano and West Plano; in Bricktown Oklahoma City, North Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla.; in Chandler, Peoria and Scottsdale, Ariz.; in Rogers, Ark.; in Wichita, Kan.; in Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Beavercreek and Warrensville Heights, Ohio; in Bartlett and Knoxville, Tenn.; in Kansas City, Mo.; in Traders Point/Indianapolis, Carmel, Evansville and Merrillville, Ind.; in Myrtle Beach, S.C.; in Crestview Hills and Lexington, Ky.; in Sterling Heights, Mich.; Madison, Wisc. and Roanoke, Va. Additionally, Abuelo's has a restaurant under construction in Lakeland, Fla. More information is available at www.abuelos.com.