Corner Bakery Cafe Announces Partnership For New Southwest Restaurant Development

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Bakery Ventures Ltd. I to Develop Six New Bakery Cafes in Southwestern U.S.

October 23, 2007 // Franchising.com // DALLAS – Corner Bakery Cafe announced today that it will be expanding its family of restaurants into three new markets in the Southwestern U.S. through a partnership with newly formed Bakery Ventures Ltd. I, and continuing their aggressive franchise growth strategy. Bakery Ventures Ltd. I will develop six new restaurants in El Paso, TX, Tucson, AZ., and Las Cruces, NM, over the next four years.

"The introduction of our franchise program has positioned Corner Bakery Cafe for momentous growth in the fast-casual dining segment," said P.J. Evans, vice president of franchise development for Corner Bakery Cafe. "Adding Bakery Ventures Ltd. I to the Corner Bakery family will help us bring our crave-able menu offerings into new neighborhoods, increasing our total franchise commitments to date of 72 locations coast-to-coast – and by 2010 we expect to have development commitments for over 300 new franchise restaurants."

The senior management team including Mike Verlander, chairman and Jim Gore, president of the newly formed Bakery Ventures Ltd. I have a combined 75 years of experience and leadership in the restaurant industry. With a strong foundation of Village Inn and Applebee's restaurants the company will develop six Corner Bakery Cafes in brand new markets including El Paso, TX, Tucson, AZ, and Las Cruces, NM effective October 31, 2007.

"Two years ago we began an exhaustive search for a new franchise concept in the fast-casual segment that would complement our portfolio of family-style restaurants," said Gore. "With Corner Bakery Cafe we found a well-positioned brand that will deliver a premier experience for guests in our growing markets."

Boasting 21 straight quarters of positive same-store sales growth and the highest average annual sales volume of any national bakery cafe brand, Corner Bakery Cafe is recognized in markets across the country as an industry leader in catering and menu innovation.

CBC Restaurant Corp. launched a strategic franchise development program in October 2006. The program, one of the most competitive in the industry, is designed to attract potential franchise partners who have relevant multi-unit restaurant experience and have received "best-in-class" recognition within their current system. Bakery Ventures Ltd. I mark CBC Restaurant Corp.'s sixth franchise partnership to date.

Bakery Ventures Ltd. I was formed in 2007 by Mike Verlander, chairman and Jim Gore, president. With a combined 75+ years of experience and leadership in the restaurant industry, they currently own and operate 10 Village Inn Restaurants and 9 Applebee's in El Paso, Texas and New Mexico, boasting above national average sales volumes for both brands. Bakery Ventures Ltd. I entered into a franchise agreement with Corner Bakery Cafe in October 2007, marking its first foray into fast casual dining with its planned development of bakeries in El Paso, TX, Tucson, AZ and Las Cruces, NM.

Corner Bakery Cafe is a fast-casual concept serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to guests in Chicago, Denver, Southern California, Dallas, Houston, Washington D.C., Atlanta and Philadelphia. Established in 1991, Corner Bakery Cafe restaurants are owned and operated by CBC Restaurant Corp. with more than 90 locations around the country. Founded on a philosophy of creating a place for people to relax, at any time of day, with a casual atmosphere, fresh breads, salads, sandwiches, pastas and sweets, Corner Bakery Cafe delivers a premier bakery cafe experience in the heart of neighborhoods everywhere. For more information, visit www.cornerbakerycafe.com.