Maui Wowi(R) Hawaiian Expands to Eurasia Via Turkey Master Franchise Signing

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International Expansion for Coffee/Smoothie Leader Accelerates; New Franchise Partner Set to Open Fixed Location and Mobile Kiosks in Major Coastal Tourism Areas

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Maui Wowi Hawaiian, the premier destination for authentic Hawaiian products on the mainland, announced today that it has signed a master franchise agreement with ALOHA Danismanlik Hizmetleri, Insaat, Bilgisayar, Gida Turizm Ic ve Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi ("ALOHA Limited Company"), an affiliate of TUNC Group. The move brings Maui Wowi to the Republic of Turkey and further extends Maui Wowi Hawaiian's rapidly expanding global presence.

Leading ALOHA Limited Company in its new efforts are general manager Ahmet Baltacioglu and general coordinator Lale Coskun. Ceyhun "James" Coskun, business development and marketing manager for TUNC Group, will also serve as strategy and planning coordinator for ALOHA Limited Company, overseeing all franchise development activity.

Since the implementation of economic reforms in 2001, Turkey has quickly become one of the world's fastest-growing and most dynamic economies. The country's gross domestic product has grown at an average annual rate of 7.4% over the past five years, with heavy foreign investment and only moderate inflation. Home to over 70 million people, the Republic of Turkey has a young population (half its residents are under the age of 28.3) that is heavily urbanized and culturally aware.

"Turkey, despite centuries of having the world's most sophisticated coffee drinkers, continues as the fastest-growing coffee market in the world today," said Lisa Bolton, director of international operations for Maui Wowi Hawaiian. "This is a country that cherishes coffee, loves quality coffee blends and, increasingly, is embracing smoothies and fresh fruit juice products. Along with Ahmet Baltacioglu, James Coskun and the ALOHA Limited Company team, we're convinced that Turkey is a market that is more than ready for the products and ambiance offered by Maui Wowi Hawaiian."

Now numbering over 500 franchised operating units and with an additional 800 in development, Maui Wowi Hawaiian is the original fruit smoothie drink franchise. Founded by Jeff and Jill Summerhays, Maui Wowi has grown from a single smoothie booth at arts and cultural festivals to become the Banzai Pipeline of the franchised coffee/smoothie field.

Maui Wowi's coffee creations include gourmet blends from the Kona district of Hawaii as well as blends from the sister islands of Molokai, Kauai, and Maui, while its smoothies are considered nutritionally equivalent to whole fruit due to their high natural fiber content. Now also offering a selection of genuine Hawaiian lifestyle merchandise, Maui Wowi Hawaiian has been named to "Entrepreneur" magazine's Franchise 500 for the past five consecutive years, and has twice ranked as one of the fastest-growing private companies on INC magazine's INC 500 listing.

ALOHA Limited Company's franchise strategy will focus initially on Turkey's major tourism areas, primarily in the country's Southern and Western coastal regions. Beginning with a fixed store location in a major shopping mall, the company intends to expand with the rollout of mobile kiosks along popular beachfronts.

"We believe people will be very excited by the blend of Hawaiian and Mediterranean themes presented by our Maui Wowi Hawaiian franchises," said Coskun. "While local coffee shops can be found all over Turkey, there are almost no smoothie competitors in our country. With the higher purchasing power, improved economic conditions, higher rates of employment and young population now present here, we remain positive that Maui Wowi Hawaiian will find a strong and loyal clientele."

ALOHA Limited Company will begin actively developing franchise opportunities this summer. For more information, contact James Coskun at ccoskun@tunctelekom.com.tr.

About Maui Wowi Hawaiian

Maui Wowi Hawaiian is the only franchise that offers authentic, natural Hawaiian products, fresh-fruit smoothies, blended Hawaiian coffee beverages, and genuine Hawaiian lifestyle stuff. Founded in 1983, Maui Wowi Hawaiian has experienced meteoric growth to include nearly 500 franchised units in its worldwide franchise ohana, or family. This earth-friendly company celebrates its Aloha Spirit by embracing the values of family, harmony and balanced living while striving to abide by the principles of sustainable living.

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