Bear Rock Cafe Coming To Austin; Growing Quick-Casual Mountain Lodge Concept Also Opens First Texas location In Richardson.

Business Editors

CARY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2004

Bear Rock Franchise Systems, Inc. (Bear Rock) today announced an area development agreement to expand its quick-casual cafe franchise into Austin, Texas. The agreement for five Bear Rock Cafe restaurants throughout Central Texas was reached with Gary Sabins, managing partner of Dark Star Restaurant Ventures. Bear Rock has initiated its real estate development phase to identify and prioritize retail sites, with the first location expected to open in late 2004 in Travis or Williamson County.

Today's announcement coincides with the recent grand opening of the first Bear Rock Cafe in Texas, located in Richardson. This is the first of three restaurants slated for the northern suburbs of Dallas. Bear Rock currently has 29 cafes in 9 states, with franchise commitments for more than 170 restaurants in 21 states.

In Dark Star Restaurant Ventures, Bear Rock has another franchise group with veteran executive leadership. "We believe Gary Sabins and his business partner Jim Emmons are fantastic ambassadors for our brand and will establish a high quality of life for their Bear Rock employees," said Gary Bryant, founder and president of Bear Rock Franchise Systems, Inc. "Austin is a tremendous market for growth, and we expect our concept will resonate well with families and active professionals due to the overall rich diversity within Central Texas."

The allure of Bear Rock Cafe is that it becomes a choice destination within customers' everyday lifestyles. Each location features an upscale mountain lodge atmosphere and offers a quick-service menu of fresh foods that include large, "mountain-stuffed" sandwiches, freshly baked breads, soups, salads, baked potatoes and desserts, as well as gourmet coffees, beer and wine. Bear Rock Cafe also offers take out and full-service catering. Cafes typically occupy 3,500-4,500 square feet within lifestyle shopping centers and serve as a comfortable spot for professional lunches, group gatherings, and family meals.

Sabins is a longtime resident of Austin and will take an active role in the restaurant. "Bear Rock Cafe is the ideal combination of a variety of fresh quality foods, offered at reasonable prices, with a comfortable ambiance that welcomes patrons to stay or the convenience of quick service take out," he said. "We are proud to be associated with a great organization that maintains values similar to ours. This enables us to establish an upscale, convenient restaurant business that values people, where we can also remain active with the Austin community."

Sabins is former president of Sulzer Orthopedics Inc., a subsidiary of Centerpulse AG, and subsequently, Zimmer Holdings, Inc. Emmons was a co-founder of GeoQuest Systems, Inc., which was acquired in 1992 by Schlumberger.

Founded in 1997, with corporate headquarters in Cary, N.C., Bear Rock franchises quick-casual restaurants under the name Bear Rock Cafe and has built a loyal following of customers who enjoy its fresh foods and unique, upscale mountain lodge environment. Attention to detail shows in every restaurant, with an upscale interior that includes large stone fireplaces, wooden support beams and walls with warm colors, nooks of soft seating, free wireless Internet access and other amenities that create a cozy and inviting atmosphere where friends gather. Visit www.bearrockfoods.com for updates, such as recent franchise announcements in California and Arizona.