Famous Dave's Enters Area Development Agreement for Three Restaurants in New Mexico

By: Famous Dave's | 2 Shares 140 Reads

December 18, 2008 // Franchising.com // Minneapolis, (BUSINESS WIRE) -- FAMOUS DAVE'S OF AMERICA, INC. (NASDAQ: DAVE) President and CEO Christopher O'Donnell announced today that New Mexico BBQ, Inc., has purchased the right to franchise three Famous Dave's Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que(R) restaurants in New Mexico. The markets covered by the agreement include the Albuquerque metropolitan area and Las Cruces. The new restaurants will be Famous Dave's first in the state of New Mexico.

New Mexico BBQ, Inc., is owned by M. Casey Ryan and Patrick Ryan. The two brothers have been active in the restaurant business for several years, including past involvement with Famous Dave's restaurants.

"We look forward to adding New Mexico to the growing list of states that are home to Famous Dave's restaurants," said Christopher O'Donnell, President and CEO of Famous Dave's. "Casey and Patrick Ryan know Famous Dave's business and they are also very knowledgeable about this market, which will make them a great addition to our team."

Casey Ryan, of New Mexico BBQ, stated, "Famous Dave's is a fantastic concept and a brand that we will be proud to introduce to the state of New Mexico. There are a lot of barbeque fans in Albuquerque and Las Cruces, and we know that they're going to love Famous Dave's."

Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que features award-winning hickory-smoked St. Louis-style spare ribs, Texas beef brisket, Georgia chopped pork and a variety of Famous Dave's regional BBQ sauces. Additionally, the menu offers barbeque and country roasted chicken, BBQ sandwiches, burgers and salads. Plus, the restaurant prepares and serves up such down home classics as coleslaw, potato salad, Wilbur Beans, corn bread muffins and Famous Fries. Famous Dave's delectable homestyle desserts include its award-winning bread pudding and hot fudge Kahlua brownie.

Having won over 300 awards for everything from best sauce to best ribs to best cookbook, Famous Dave's has received wide acclaim and praise from customers and critics alike. Famous Dave's Rib Team regularly competes in rib competitions across the country, and has raked in 1st place awards at the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off in Sparks, Nevada, the Southern Florida Championship Cook Off in Jupiter, Florida, the Great American Rib Cook-off in Ohio, the Sioux Empire Rib-fest in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Rib Fest & More in Fargo, North Dakota, the Pontiac Rib America Rib Fest in Pontiac, Michigan, the Twin Cities Rockin' Rib Fest in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Rib America Indianapolis Rib Fest in Indianapolis, Indiana to name just a few.

About Famous Dave's. Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (NASDAQ: DAVE) develops, owns, operates and franchises barbeque restaurants. The company currently owns 47 locations and franchises 123 additional units in 36 states. Its menu features award-winning barbequed and grilled meats, an ample selection of salads, side items and sandwiches, and unique desserts. For more information, please visit www.famousdaves.com or contact Pat Courtemanche at (612) 746-1776.

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical, including but not limited to statements regarding the timing of our restaurant openings and the timing or success of our expansion plans, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause the company's actual results to differ materially from expected results. Although Famous Dave's of America, Inc. believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectation will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Famous Dave's expectation include financial performance, restaurant industry conditions, execution of restaurant development and construction programs, franchisee performance, changes in local or national economic conditions, availability of financing, governmental approvals and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports.

SOURCE: Famous Dave's