Acclaimed as "Best Fast Food Find" by New York Times; Frozen Fusion Smoothie Stores Opening in America West Arena, Arizona Mills and Metro Center Mall.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1997--Frozen Fusion, a nationally franchised chain of fruit smoothie stores, is opening three new stores in greater Phoenix that include America West Arena (October), Arizona Mills (November) and Metro Center Mall (December).

Acclaimed by the New York Times as the "best fast food find" when it opened in Washington, D.C. last summer, Frozen Fusion, which is based in Scottsdale, will offer shoppers a unique menu of healthful yogurt-based drinks mixed with fruit.

Frozen Fusion is the only national franchise company that is majority-held by an American Indian tribe. One of eight businesses owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of central Arizona, the company is set up so that a portion of the earnings support critical tribal programs in health, education and social services.

Opening three locations in Phoenix is a strategic move for the company.

According to Michael Kiick, vice president of Franchise Expansion, "We already have a successful store at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport which has been in operation about two years. Now we have a huge following, so it's great our customers will now be able to purchase our products at malls during the holiday shopping season and at sporting events at America West Arena for the first time."

Frozen Fusion franchisees Fran Holsinger, who owns the Arizona Mills store with her husband Bob, said of Frozen Fusion, "This is not your usual presentation. It's exciting, colorful, and full of energy. This is a high energy food and you feel it immediately when you walk into the store.

"Once we tasted Frozen Fusion smoothies, my husband and I were convinced that there is no better smoothie out there."

Kiick sees the uniqueness of the Frozen Fusion concept and their superior product as fueling the company's aggressive growth.

"Within a short time of the local openings, Frozen Fusion also will be putting finishing touches on new stores in Washington, D.C., Boston; Philadelphia; Berkeley, Calif., and Chicago. Additional locations are scheduled to open later in the year in Southern California, Nashville, Atlanta, Denver, Las Vegas and Chicago."

Kiick continued, "Phoenix's warm climate provides an ideal location for Frozen Fusion. It is no secret that many malls and airports are seeking businesses that offer healthful, nutritious meals on the go. We are offering refreshing fruits blended with yogurt and juices.

"The drinks can be snacks or meal replacements, and we appeal to practically every appetite -- the health conscious; the time conscious; and the taste conscious."

Frozen Fusion was developed to meet the demands of a growing consumer segment calling for healthful upscale, yogurt and fruit-based beverages. Among the menu offerings are Smoothie Fusion, a yogurt and fruit-based smoothie; Yogurt Fusion, a combination of yogurt, fruit and fruit juice; and Fruit Fusion, a non-dairy fruit and fruit juice beverage with a base of secret ingredients.

For more information, contact Frozen Fusion at 602/948-5604 or 800-FUN-DRNK.

CONTACT: BW PR Inc., Phoenix

Stephanie Burchfield, 602/460-4111

or

Frozen Fusion, Scottsdale

Michael Kiick, 602/948-5604