Bruegger's

BRUEGGER’S BUYS RESTAURANT HOLDINGS OF TIMOTHY’S WORLD COFFEE

Acquisition paves the way for Bruegger’s Canadian expansion

(Burlington, VT – November 13) Bruegger’s Enterprises Inc. (BEI), operator of 292 franchise and corporate-owned Bruegger’s Bakery Cafés throughout the U.S., today announced that it has acquired the restaurant holdings of Timothy’s Coffees of the World Inc.®, based in Toronto, Ontario. Timothy’s, a wholesale coffee distribution company serving Canada and the U.S., diversified in the late 1970’s to encompass three restaurant brands including Timothy’s World Coffee, mmmuffins and Michel’s Baguette. The restaurants are presently managed through franchise agreements and a minority of company-owned operations.

BEI, through a wholly owned subsidiary called ThreeCaf Brands Canada Inc., will assume operations of company-owned assets including 12 existing restaurant units and a production facility. It will also serve as franchisor for 128 franchise-owned locations of the three restaurant brands. All operations are located in Canada.

About the acquisition, Jim Greco, BEI CEO, said: “We are eager to build relationships with the franchisees of Timothy’s World Coffee, mmmuffins, Michel’s Baguette and our Canadian team members. As a longtime operator and franchisor of bakery cafés in the U.S., we will provide a strong base of support and a growth platform for the three brands, while allowing the seller to focus on its growing core roasting business.”

The acquisition is the eleventh and largest acquisition for the Burlington-based company since Greco became CEO in 2003 and brings the total number of restaurant units managed by the company to more than 430 throughout North America. Bruegger’s continues to grow its own brand, recently opening in its 25th state, with plans to open 15 new bakeries by first quarter of 2010. Revenues for the fast casual chain topped $200 million in fiscal year 2008. 

About Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc.
Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc., an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., is a leader in the fast casual restaurant segment. In its 292 locations in 25 states and the District of Columbia, Bruegger’s is dedicated to serving delicious, authentically made food that brings guests back again and again. Famous for genuine New York-style bagels baked fresh throughout the day, Bruegger’s also bakes an array of fresh breads on site including honey wheat and hearty white. Guests can chose a variety of menu items, all free of trans-fats, that include unique cream cheese flavors, breakfast sandwiches, hand-tossed salads, hearty soups, sandwiches, panini and desserts. Every day the neighborhood bakery features a Fair Trade CertifiedTM coffee from Green Mountain Coffee® with a frequently changing menu reflecting seasonal and geographical specialties. Founded in 1983, Bruegger's is headquartered in Burlington, Vermont and supports its neighbors in every community it serves. For more information, please visit www.brueggers.com or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brueggers.

Media Contacts:
Tracy Aiello or Kathryn Calley
SPM Communications
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