News

New World's Manhattan Bagel Unit introducing new Manhattan Bakery Cafe concept

Greater variety of day-long dining choices available in warm, contemporary setting.

May 10, 2004

GOLDEN, Colo., May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/-- New World Restaurant Group, Inc. (NWRG.PK) today announced that its Manhattan Bagel franchise unit has opened its first new Manhattan Bakery Cafe concept in Fountainville, Penn. "The new bakery cafe design and expanded menu reflect our customers' desire for a greater variety of fresh, healthy food choices, available in an attractive, quick casual dining atmosphere," said Paul Murphy, CEO of Golden, Colo.-based New World Restaurant Group. "Moreover, this concept represents the first step in our efforts to revitalize our franchise brands through appropriate re-imaging of menus and development of a new store prototype."Located in Bucks County, the first of the new Manhattan Bakery Cafe concept stores will be open daily from 6:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m., and offer an extensive lunch menu that includes a choice of salads, soups and more than 24 freshly made hot or cold sandwiches. Continuing the Manhattan brand's heritage of fresh-baked products, customers will have a choice of sandwich breads, including cheddar, asiago, sesame or French rolls; pesto focaccia bread, honey wheat tortilla wraps, or any of 20 different bagels, including a low-carb, multi-grain bagel. In addition, the new Manhattan Bakery Cafe's will offer the brand's updated breakfast menu featuring a variety of egg sandwiches and wraps as well as the traditional assortment of bagels and spreads. A specialty coffee bar will provide espresso-based coffees, such as lattes and cappuccino. The cafe's interior creates a contemporary, warm, casual dining setting, in a surrounding of wood and soft earth tones. Based on a modular design, the new Manhattan Bakery Cafe concept can be adapted to a variety of locations and store sizes. "While the Fountainville unit will be somewhat smaller than Cafes that are expected to be opened in the future, it will include the design elements that will be common to all Manhattan Bakery Cafes. The modular design allows for tremendous flexibility for new units and retrofits," Mr. Murphy explained. In addition to the new Fountainville unit, several existing Manhattan Bagel franchised stores have begun to be remodeled using the new Bakery Cafe design. The new franchise location in Fountainville was opened by Bucks County residents Jeffrey and Norine Dickter, and Steve and Elisa Cohen, who also own and operate a Manhattan Bagel shop in the Bucks County community of Chalfont. "The Manhattan Bakery Cafe represents a planned evolution from the earlier Manhattan Bagel shop to the new fast casual bakery cafe concept that is becoming a favorite among customers," said David Ammons, vice president of marketing for New World's franchised brands, which are based in Hamilton Township, N.J. "The new concept continues the repositioning of the brand from a 'bagel shop' to a new emphasis on lunch and day-long dining. The re-launch of the chain's extended menu in the past year, resulted in a significant improvement in luncheon business.This new concept is designed to accommodate an increase in customer visits in response to our broad variety of luncheon and daytime menu choices. "As the new hallmark of the Manhattan Bagel brand, the Manhattan Bakery Cafe concept is designed to attract customers with contemporary flavored, freshly made food available throughout the day, served in a modern, casual,comfortable setting," Mr. Ammons added. There are currently more than 170 franchised Manhattan Bagel locations in 15 states, principally on the East Coast, from Massachusetts to Florida, as well as in Alabama, Texas, and California. New World Restaurant Group is a leading company in the quick casual restaurant industry. The company operates company owned locations primarily under the Einstein Bros and Noah's New York Bagels brands and primarily franchises locations under the Manhattan Bagel and Chesapeake Bagel Bakery brands. As of March 30, 2004, the company's retail system consisted of 463 company-operated locations, as well as 223 franchised and 49 licensed locations in 32 states and the District of Columbia. The company also operates dough production and coffee roasting facilities. Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward- looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "believe" and similar expressions and all statements which are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the company's actual results, performance (financial or operating), or achievements to differ from the future results, performance (financial or operating), or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to the following: the company's plan to revitalize its franchise concepts and include common design elements are dependent upon various factors including the availability of capital, opportunities for franchisees to initiate modifications to existing locations, including availability of space and, where applicable, municipal and landlord approvals; zoning approvals, and availability of materials. These and other risks are more fully discussed in the company's SEC filings.source:New World Restaurant Group, Inc.Web Site:http://www.newworldrestaurantgroup.com