Bear Rock Cafe Agrees To 18 Units In Denver and Grand Junction; National Mountain Lodge Bakery-Cafe Expands Colorado Presence.

Business Editors/Restaurant Writers

CARY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 1, 2003

Bear Rock Franchise Systems, Inc., the corporate office of Bear Rock Cafe, today announced a multi-unit area development agreement to expand its mountain lodge bakery-cafe restaurant franchise into metropolitan Denver and Grand Junction, Colorado. The agreement was reached with Denver-based Eagle Rock Partners, LLC, and its first three locations are expected to open by mid-2004.

Bear Rock Cafe currently has 18 locations in five states and has an additional 110 franchise commitments spanning 16 states. The company currently has a franchised site open in Longmont and anticipates three new locations will open in late-2003 in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.

"We are now in the second year of national franchising, and our mountain fresh idea continues to resonate with customers and attract experienced, multi-unit franchisee groups," said Gary Bryant, Bear Rock Franchise Systems president and chief executive officer. "It is especially rewarding to share the Bear Rock Cafe folklore with residents throughout Colorado. The communities of Denver and Grand Junction are natural markets for our expansion."

Bear Rock Franchise Systems franchises restaurants under the name Bear Rock Cafe, a growing bakery-cafe concept in the fast-casual dining segment. Bear Rock Cafe features a comfortable mountain lodge atmosphere, combined with quick, friendly service, and a menu of fresh foods that include "mountain-stuffed" sandwiches, breads, soups, salads and pastries, as well as gourmet coffees.

Last week Bear Rock Franchise Systems announced a multi-unit agreement for Chicago and Lake County, Ill. It also unveiled the newest Bear Rock Cafe location at The Streets of Southpoint and Main Street in Durham, N.C., where it occupies 3,276 square feet of space on Main Street, a premier open-air retail, restaurant and entertainment destination.

Founded in 1997, with corporate headquarters in Cary, N.C., Bear Rock Cafe has built a loyal following of customers who enjoy its fresh foods and friendly service. Its cozy mountain lodge atmosphere features a "Yukon" interior with large stone fireplaces, rustic wooden support beams and other lodge decor to create a comfortable place where friends gather. Current locations include: Alabama, Colorado, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Bear Rock Cafe has commitments to open this year in: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.