CWB Franchise Finance partners with Lone Star Texas Grill on development line facility

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 18, 2018) - CWB Franchise Finance (CWB)(TSX:CWB), a division of CWB Financial Group, has provided a term loan and development line facility to Lone Star Group of Companies (Lone Star), a growing Canadian restaurant brand with locations across Ontario. The funds will be used to assist Lone Star with the build-out of new locations as well as renovation and update of existing units.

"We're proud to have worked with Lone Star for more than 7 years, and excited for this next phase of their growth story," said Trish Halliwell, account manager at CWB Franchise Finance's restaurant division. "CWB's Development Line product enables Lone Star to draw down for multiple projects over a 2-year period, with approval and documentation completed upfront. It's an efficient way to address both their short and long-term capex needs."

"Lone Star is expanding with new stores, and also updating the brand to convey a modern design at several of our locations," noted Mark Findlay, the company's chief executive officer. "This Development Line creates a simple path for the various projects we have on the radar. CWB's deep understanding of the restaurant business translates into both products and process that make sense for our industry."

About CWB Franchise Finance CWB Franchise Finance, a division of CWB Financial Group, specializes in financing for regional and national restaurants and hotels and is a leading lender to the Canadian restaurant and hospitality industries. Previously GE Capital Canada's franchise financing arm, CWB Franchise Finance was acquired by CWB Financial Group in 2016 following a successful track record of more than 800 clients with upwards of 1,525 property locations over 14 years. To date, more than $3 billion have been invested in the Canadian hotel and restaurant space.

About CWB Financial Group CWB is a diversified financial services organization serving businesses and individuals across Canada. Operating from its headquarters in Edmonton, Alberta, CWB's key business lines include full-service business and personal banking offered through 42 branches of Canadian Western Bank and Internet banking services provided by Motive Financial. Highly responsive specialized financing is delivered under the banners of CWB Equipment Financing, National Leasing, CWB Maxium Financial, CWB Franchise Finance and CWB Optimum Mortgage. Trust Services are offered through Canadian Western Trust. Comprehensive wealth management offerings are provided through CWB Wealth Management, which includes the businesses of McLean & Partners Wealth Management and Canadian Western Financial. As a public company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), CWB trades under the symbols "CWB" (common shares), "CWB.PR.B" (Series 5 Preferred Shares) and "CWB.PR.C" (Series 7 Preferred Shares).

About Lone Star Texas Grill Lone Star is privately-owned, Toronto-based company offering a Texas-inspired casual dining experience. Lone Star introduced fajitas to Ottawa, Canada in 1986 and hasn't looked back. In November 2017, Lone Star opened their 23^rd location, with more planned for 2018. They pride themselves on using authentic recipes, the freshest ingredients and Texas-inspired cooking methods, like cooking over real mesquite wood, and baking fresh tortillas in house, to bring true Texas tastes to their guests. Visit them online at www.lonestartexasgrill.com.