PITTSBURGH, July 12, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Unique Pizza and Subs Corporation (Pink Sheets:UPZS), a Delaware Corporation, is finalizing agreements with franchise groups in Houston, Texas and Detroit, Michigan. The potential ownership groups came to Pittsburgh recently to visit Unique Pizza and Subs' corporate headquarters and sample the product first-hand. Verbal commitments to open an initial five stores in each market have been accepted, and the final agreements are in the process of being finalized. Both groups intend to begin opening stores before the end of the year.
James Vowler, President and CEO of Unique Pizza and Subs, outlined the current state of the business, "We are very excited about entering the Michigan market because it is headquarters to four of the top fifteen largest pizza franchises in the U.S. At Unique Pizza and Subs we have some clear competitive advantages: we are the only publicly traded pizza franchise that will have all of our location's orders routed to a centralized Customer Response Center. Research shows that call centers have an average up-sell of 15-20 percent and save each individual franchise 5 percent labor cost. This will also provide our customers with a better ordering experience. We are the only pizza franchise that was designed to have the quality product of a "mom and pop" and the consistency of a major franchise. All of our products are made fresh daily and prepared when ordered. While other major pizza franchises only target the high profile markets, we open successful stores in high profile and small markets with the proven ability to convert existing independent pizza shops into a Unique Pizza and Subs franchise in only about one week. We have the capability to finance these conversions in-house. We also have an expanded menu with a limited inventory, which means the franchisees inventory is always fresh while keeping the food cost down. For example, we use the same chicken tenders for forty plus menu items, which achieves a lower food cost due to overall volume. This allows us to use Tyson's top of the line tenders at a much lower price, passing the savings on to the customer and the profits to the franchisees. Our Unique and extensive menu of fifteen-plus specialty pizzas and forty plus subs, makes Unique Pizza and Subs a destination rather than just another pizza shop."
In addition to Houston and Detroit, Unique Pizza and Subs is also in advanced negotiations for Ontario, California, Royal Oak, Michigan, San Diego, California and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This recent flurry of activity is taking place as Unique Pizza and Subs is preparing to open (194 committed locations by the end 2007) franchises in Austin, Texas, Atlanta, Georgia, Boston, Massachusetts, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Northeastern North Carolina, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and several additional locations in Western Pennsylvania this summer.
About Unique Pizza and Subs Corporation, a Delaware Corporation
Unique Pizza and Subs Corporation currently is a startup/development stage company. Jim Vowler, President and CEO, completed four years of research before opening his first pizza restaurant in Millvale, PA, and then spent the next eleven years refining every aspect of the pizza business and was responsible for opening more than 20 locations under the name Unique Pizza Factory Corporation. Mr. Vowler's pizzas were the official pizza of the Pittsburgh Penguins and won numerous awards for taste and quality. Calling on this experience, Mr. Vowler has assembled an experienced management team to further develop the company's unique, quality products and business model that is well positioned for rapid growth.
The Unique Pizza and Subs logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2466
This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 27E of the Securities Act of 1934. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approval for anticipated actions.