NexCen Brands Announces Opening of First Pretzelmaker® Store in Mexico
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 17, 2009-- NexCen Brands, Inc. (PINK SHEETS: NEXC) announced today the opening of the first Pretzelmaker® franchised store in Mexico. The store opened in the same mall as the recently opened Great American Cookies® franchised store in Bosco Vallarta Zapopan in Jalisco.
This is the first Pretzelmaker store to open under an existing master franchise agreement, signed in October 2008, which allows for a minimum of 15 Pretzelmaker stores and 30 Great American Cookies stores to be opened in Mexico over 15 years. The agreement calls for stand alone and co-branded stores throughout the region.
Kenneth J. Hall, Chief Executive Officer of NexCen Brands, Inc., stated, "We are delighted with the opening of this new franchised store in Mexico as it marks the launch of Pretzelmaker into a new country. While we are committed to growing our brands around the world, we also continue to make solid progress with the integration of Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker into one brand, which will enable it to become the second largest pretzel concept in the United States."
Chris Dull, President of NexCen Franchise Management, Inc., the franchising subsidiary of NexCen Brands, stated, "By cross-selling our brands we are able to strengthen relationships with our franchisees and expand our footprint. With our franchisees operating both Pretzelmaker and Great American Cookies franchised stores at the La Gran Plaza Fashion Mall in Jalisco, we look forward to further developing these brands in Mexico."
About NexCen Brands, Inc.
NexCen Brands, Inc. is a strategic brand management company with a focus on franchising. It owns a portfolio of franchise brands that includes two retail franchise concepts: TAF™ and Shoebox New York®, as well as five quick service restaurant (QSR) franchise concepts: Great American Cookies®, MaggieMoo's®, Marble Slab Creamery®, Pretzelmaker® and Pretzel Time®. The brands are managed by NexCen Franchise Management, Inc., a subsidiary of NexCen Brands.
About Pretzelmaker & Pretzel Time
Pretzelmaker / Pretzel Time are franchised concepts that specialize in offering hand-rolled soft pretzels, innovative soft pretzel products, dipping sauces and beverages. The brands were founded independently of each other in 1991, united in 1998 by Mrs. Fields Famous Brands and acquired by NexCen Brands in 2007. Beginning in April of 2009, NexCen initiated the consolidation of the two brands, which will result in the new Pretzelmaker. Long recognized as innovators in their industry, the brands are credited with inventing the popular Pretzel Dog and portable Pretzel Bites. Collectively, Pretzelmaker / Pretzel Time is the second largest soft pretzel franchise in the U.S. with over 360 stores worldwide. |
