| Davie, Florida (July 30, 2009) – FROOTS, a | | | | background,” adds Rodgers, “means we |
| rapidly growing quick service food and smoothies | | | | are very experienced in the real estate, |
| franchise, has added David Rodgers of Gourmet | | | | construction and operation of food businesses in |
| Food General Trading LLC as their Master | | | | the Middle East and we expect to have similar |
| Franchisee for the United Arab Emirates and | | | | success with the FROOTS concept as we’ve |
| Oman. | | | | had with Dunkin’ Donuts.” |
| Gourmet Food General Trading first became | | | | FROOTS, which was created by David Lopez and |
| interested in FROOTS after visiting franchise | | | | has been franchising since 2004, offers a number |
| exhibitions in London and Washington. “We | | | | of healthy food and beverage choices, making it a |
| met with FROOTS executives and then looked at | | | | popular spot for anyone looking for quick service |
| a few of their stores in the Washington area,” | | | | food that is both fresh and healthy. Diners have |
| said Rodgers. “What attracted us to this | | | | many options for low fat and low calorie meals, |
| brand was the fresh, healthy food, the wide | | | | and the smoothies are made with fresh berries, |
| range of products and the vibrant, modern design | | | | bananas or more exotic tropical blends. “In the |
| of their stores. We felt that the idea of fresh, | | | | Middle East it is becoming a trend to open food |
| healthy eating is something that’s increasingly | | | | concepts that offer these fresh, made to order |
| important in today’s busy world where many | | | | food,” said Rodgers. “So we feel it is the |
| people may not have time to prepare these | | | | right time to bring the FROOTS stores to this |
| types of meals on a daily basis. In addition, the | | | | region. They will be well-received by the people |
| food is really delicious so customers can enjoy the | | | | living and working the UAE and Oman, areas |
| dining experience while also they also feel good | | | | which are increasingly attracting both tourists and |
| about the healthy choices they’ve made. This | | | | businesses from all over the world." |
| concept offers an excellent product along with an | | | | About FROOTS |
| easy to run business and we are excited to bring | | | | FROOTS is a quick service restaurant offering a |
| it to the people in this area.” | | | | variety of fruit smoothies, healthy gourmet |
| Rodgers has extensive experience in the food | | | | wraps, salads and Paninis. Using only fresh |
| franchising business. He’s been developing | | | | ingredients, FROOTS creates unique flavor profiles |
| franchise brands internationally for the past 20 | | | | to satisfy a culturally-diverse clientele. FROOTS |
| years and has worked with Dunkin’ Donuts | | | | Franchising, Inc., is headquartered in Davie, FL and |
| and KFC in Indonesia and Pakistan. For the last 8 | | | | is a privately owned company. The concept was |
| years Rogers has been developing Dunkin | | | | created in 2001 by its founder and CEO, David |
| Donuts’ in the Middle East. | | | | Lopez and has been franchising since |
| According to Rodgers, Gourmet Good General | | | | 2004. Currently there are over 50 locations in the |
| Trading is a partnership between Continental Food | | | | US and international locations in Honduras, Panama, |
| Est (CFE) in the UAE and Ataihbah Food Company | | | | Guam, Turks & Caicos and Iraq. Locations |
| (AFC) in Oman. CFE is the master franchisee for | | | | in Singapore, UAE and Oman are in development |
| Dunkin’ Donuts in the UAE where it currently | | | | Expansion plans include opening an additional 500 |
| has 56 stores and in Kuwait where it has 14 | | | | locations in the next five years. |
| stores. AFC is the franchisee for Dunkin Donuts in | | | | FROOTS was named one of the FAST 55 by the |
| Oman where it has 15 stores, so they currently | | | | Franchise Times and made the Top 500 list in |
| operate 85 stores in the region. “This | | | | Entrepreneur Magazine. |