Einstein Noah Restaurant Group (BAGL)

[ScovilleUnits]

“Come Fly Away, Come Fly Away with Me”

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, SSP America Sign Exclusive Agreement

Tuesday , March 18, 2008 08:00ET

LAKEWOOD, Colo., March 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: BAGL) announced today that it has signed an exclusive development agreement with SSP America, to open Einstein Bros.(R) Bagels, Noah's Bagels(R) and Manhattan Bagel(R) restaurants inside U.S. Airports.

The agreement calls for SSP America to open and operate Einstein Bros., Noah's and Manhattan restaurants over the next five years in major U.S. airports. SSP is the leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations in 28 countries worldwide and operates a strong brand portfolio in 40 U.S. airports.

"This agreement brings together two companies with proven and growing track records in the airport dining arena," said Paul Carolan, senior vice president of franchising and licensing for Einstein Noah Restaurant Group. "Einstein Bros., Noah's and Manhattan have the wide variety of high quality menu offerings that we believe travelers are looking for while they await their departure and after they land, and SSP America is one of the premier providers of concessions for the airport market. We are very excited about the beginning of our relationship."

The popular Einstein Bros., Noah's and Manhattan brands have diverse menus that contain high-quality offerings, including hand-crafted sandwiches, home-style soups, tempting sweets, artisan roasted coffee and award-winning bagels. The more than 600 restaurants with locations in 36 states feature an atmosphere that combines the friendliness of the local neighborhood with a tradition of great tasting, quality food and hospitable service.

"We believe this development agreement with SSP America will be instrumental in delivering on our aggressive growth strategy over the next five years," said Paul Murphy, CEO of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group. "I look forward to the opening of many successful airport license restaurants through this strategic relationship between SSP America and Einstein Noah Restaurant Group."

"We are excited to work with Einstein Bros. Our mutual growth strategies complemented with Einstein Bros.' exceptional focus on product quality and service delivery will further strengthen our brand portfolio," said Les Cappetta, CEO of SSP America.