Bruegger's Growth is Flying High

Fast casual bakeries make initial approach in international airports

(BURLINGTON, Vt.) – Travelers are spending more time than ever before in airports due to increased security, equipment problems with the nation’s aging air fleet and ever-present weather delays. Along with the airlines’ discontinuation of most in-flight meals, those factors have led to new opportunities for airport-based restaurants, especially those that appeal to health-conscious business travelers who demand higher quality meals.

As a result, Bruegger’s, a frontrunner in the bakery-cafe segment and the brand credited with launching the bagel bakery concept nationally, announces plans to open three airport bakeries. In late 2007, locations at Boston Logan International (BOS) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG) are scheduled to open. Bruegger’s will open its first franchise bakery in an airport at Raleigh-Durham International (RDU), in 2008.

“Bruegger’s menu offers choices for breakfast, lunch or dinner, plus quick service and fresh healthy offerings that are ideal for the demands of today’s traveler," said Bruegger’s Vice President of Franchise Development Chris Cheek. “We believe our airport locations will be a welcome sight to travelers who enjoy our bakeries near their homes, and a great introduction to those who haven’t visited a Bruegger’s yet.”

The airport strategy comes during a rapid growth phase for Bruegger’s. Since implementing an aggressive brand and menu renovation in 2004, the company has experienced 13 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth and has been successful in attracting new franchisees during its current recruiting initiative. There are about 260 Bruegger’s locations throughout the nation.

“Airports are the natural evolution from a brand growth standpoint,” said Cheek. “Non-traditional locations are rapidly becoming hot commodities in the fast casual market. There is a need to serve more selective guests and we want to offer our healthy sandwiches, salads and soups and daily baked fresh bagels to those particular guests.”

For nearly 25 years, Bruegger's bagels have been kettle boiled and baked fresh throughout the day to give them an authentic crunchy crust on the outside and a dense, chewy texture on the inside. In addition to fresh, hot bagels, Bruegger's offers an extensive menu that includes hand-crafted, fresh-tossed salads, made-to-order sandwiches, soups and unique coffee blends, including a daily Fair Trade CertifiedTM blend.

For more information about Bruegger’s, visit them online at www.brueggers.com.

About Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc.
Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc., an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., is a leader in the quick, casual restaurant segment. Bruegger's and its GUEST-focused team are dedicated to serving delicious, healthy food that brings guests back again and again. In approximately 260 neighborhood bakery-cafes in 21 states, Bruegger's offers a warm, comfortable setting for guests to enjoy a wholesome meal with family and friends. Famous for authentic boiled and baked bagels, Bruegger's bakers lend their expertise to crafting a variety of other stone-hearth baked breads, such as Ciabatta and the exclusive Softwich. Guests can count on innovative menu items, including fresh-made salads, whole wheat wraps, hearty soups, specialty and deli-made sandwiches, desserts, unique Fair Trade coffee blends and original cream cheese flavors. 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

Bruegger's
Shawn Paul Wood or Allison Yeaman
(469) 227-3260
shawn@spmcommunications.com
shawn@spmcommunications.com<