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Licensing key for Einstein Noah growth in '09

January 26, 2009

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. is sticking to plans to grow mostly by adding licensed locations in 2009 as diners eat out less and credit markets remain tight, the company has announced.

The fast-casual coffee and bagel chain said this month that it plans to open six to eight new restaurants on its own, matched with the same number of franchise restaurants this year, where franchisees develop a new store that meets company guidelines.

It also plans to open 30 to 35 license restaurants, where licensees use the company's brands to open bagel and coffee operations in such locations as airports, colleges and hospitals.

Paul Carolan, senior vice president of franchising and licensing for the company, said adding licensed and franchised stores will be key to meeting customer demand.

The process of opening new stores also has slowed, he said. In September, Einstein Noah said it hoped to have five new franchised Einstein Bros. Bagels locations open at the end of 2008. Instead it had two, according to a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Einstein Bros. Bagels launched its franchise program in December 2006. It has not changed its requirements for franchisees to be worth at least $1 million, with $400,000 in available liquid assets.