Kenner, Louisiana - 7 June, 2001 -

Long recognized as the pioneering leader in the smoothie industry, Smoothie King, has grown to more than 270 locations in 29 states. The New Orleans, La. area based company began franchising in 1989 and has sold more than 70 franchises in the past 12 months and recently added 14 individuals to its corporate staff to support its rapid growth. Ed Milli was named Chief Operations Officer. Milli previously held senior management responsibilities for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Milli's background in franchising operations and new business development will aid in helping to streamline Smoothie King's expanding business structure. Milli is a strong addition to Smoothie King, the originator of the nutritional fruit smoothie. Founded by Steve Kuhnau and his wife, Cindy, both veterans of the health food industry. Smoothie King offers over 50 different function-based nutritional fruit smoothies, each fresh blended to order from real fruits and juices. Smoothie King Smoothies can also be custom tailored to meet specific health needs such as weight loss or weight gain. Smoothie King also offers a complete line of other dietary supplements. Smoothie King's robust growth is expected to carry through 2001. By year's end, franchise development will have more than 300 franchises operating in 30 states. Regions targeted for further expansion include the Midwest, Mountain West, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Other additions to the company's corporate staff: Stephanie Webb, who has experience at many prestigious accounting firms, was named company Controller. Roland W. Baggott III, who holds distinguished honors from both Vanderbilt and Ohio State Universities, and practiced law with high-profile law firms in the New Orleans area, was named General Counsel/Director of Legal. Ted V. DeAgno, Jr. is Manager of Development and brings more than 25 years' experience in franchise development and construction services. Patrick Hessler is Retail Specialist in charge of retail marketing, inventory control and retail sales training programs. Marlene Hernandez is Manager of Construction and Architecture Design, whose projects have included the University of Phoenix, P.J.'s Coffee and Tea Company, as well as several Smoothie Kings. Elizabeth Petty is Director of Distribution and Purchasing, bringing 15 years' of purchasing experience with established companies. Bill Maisano is Food Service Research and Development Manager and will also serve as an Operations Consultant. With more than 10 years' experience in food service, Maisano is a recognized chef and is working on several new products. Tom Sabourin, Lee Giles, Carla Luke and Mark Kovacs are Operations Consultants providing support to Smoothie King's 270 franchises. Kelly Beadle is Administrative Assistant/ Operations, and Pamela D. Guerin, Bookkeeper. Two promotions included Rocky Gettys named Director of Operations and Katherine Meariman, Executive Administrative Assistant to the new President. "Smoothie King has achieved nearly a 20% growth rate over the last year and with the advent of such growth we have carefully added new members to an already successful corporate team," stated Kevin Donovan, President & CEO. Donovan also added, "In order for us to maintain our high-quality level of support to our franchise system we created new positions and rewarded and promoted existing corporate team members. Our next level of growth is not only accomplishing the successful openings and marketing of our next thirty new stores currently in the design and construction phases but also in the form of servicing our additional new franchisees above the next thirty entering our system in new Smoothie King markets. We will continue to add resources as we deem necessary to continue to be the number one franchise in the industry segment we serve." The recent hiring of the additional corporate staff is an indication that Smoothie King has reached another key milestone in the company's plans for 2001. Smoothie King is a privately held New Orleans, La. area based franchise company and is the premier smoothie bar and nutritional lifestyle center in the industry. The company opened its first store in 1973 and started franchising in 1989. During the first quarter of 2001, Entrepreneur Magazine rated Smoothie King as the #1 Franchise in their industry segment for the twelfth consecutive year.

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