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Shane's Rib Shack and Planet Smoothie Open in the Middle East
On Track With Five-Year Strategy to Open Additional 45 Restaurants
| Source: Shane's Rib Shack and Planet Smoothie
ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwire - February 4, 2009) - Shane's Rib Shack, a national rib shack and
barbecue concept and Planet Smoothie, a national smoothie concept, announce
today the opening of two locations at the Al-Rashid Mall in Khobar, Saudi
Arabia. Shane's Rib Shack and Planet Smoothie opened these locations in
partnership with A.A. Turki Corporation for Trading and Contracting (ATCO).
"The recent openings of Shane's and Planet Smoothie in the Middle East are
the first steps towards our continued growth and focus on the Middle East
region," says Chris Morocco, CEO of Shane's Rib Shack and Planet Smoothie.
"While we continue to expand both brands within the United States, we
believe it is important to identify growth opportunities outside the United
States as well. Our first locations in the Al-Rashid Mall have been
extremely well received and we look forward to continuing to grow these
brands throughout the region."
The first fully enclosed mall in the area, Al-Rashid Mall, houses six major
department stores and more than 600 specialty shops. With food courts,
restaurants and amusement arcades, it creates an energetic social
environment for the entire community.
In conjunction with Shane's Rib Shack and Planet Smoothie, ATCO will
continue to develop an additional 45 restaurants in the next five years,
throughout six countries in the Middle East. Continued growth will be
based on finding the right locations for the
long-term development of the two brands. "We believe it's important to
grow strategically with the right partner who has the same commitment to
growing the brand with a
long-term perspective that we do. ATCO has the capital and infrastructure
to grow the Shane's and Planet Smoothie brands following our vision,"
Morocco continues.
About Shane's Rib Shack
Shane's Rib Shack is a true American rib shack, known for its slow-cooked
baby back ribs, hand-chopped chicken and pork, and many southern sides to
complement each plate. The original shack was founded in 2002, in rural
McDonough, Ga. by Shane Thompson, who started the restaurant with his
grandfather's secret BBQ sauce. Since becoming a franchised restaurant in
2004, Shane's Rib Shack has grown to become the country's fastest growing
fast-casual barbecue concept. Shane's Rib Shack was selected as #20 on the
Fast Casual Movers and Shakers list of 2008, highlighting the very best of
the Fast Casual industry's over 600 restaurants. Shane's Rib Shack
currently operates more than 80 locations. For more information, visit
www.shanesribshack.com.
About Planet Smoothie
Planet Smoothie is among the top three smoothie concepts in the country,
serving real fruit smoothies infused with vitamins and nutrients for
active, occasion-driven consumers. In 2007, Planet Smoothie was recognized
by Restaurant Business as a "Future 50" concept, one of the fastest growing
up and coming concepts in the country. Planet Smoothie was named one of
the "Sweet 16" in the 2008 Fast Casual Movers and Shakers list as a brand
that sets itself apart in the dessert, beverage and yogurt category.
Planet Smoothie currently operates more than 125 locations. For more
information, visit www.planetsmoothie.com.
About A.A. Turki Corporation for Trading and Contracting
A.A. Turki Corporation for Trading and Contracting (ATCO) is the flagship
of the A.A. Turki Group of Companies (the ATCO Group), a leading,
4000-employee strong conglomerate that has successfully operated since the
mid-1950s in Saudi Arabia's governmental, industrial, commercial, and
consumer sectors (see www.atco.com.sa). The ATCO Group is ranked among the
largest in Saudi Arabia and has offices throughout the Kingdom.