May 18, 2009

NEW ORLEANS – Smoothie King Franchises, Inc., the originator of the nutritional, fruit-based smoothie, has signed an agreement with the Amer Group to open at least 20 Smoothie King locations in Egypt and Turkey in the next few years. Smoothie King, ranked the 37th fastest growing franchise and the 57th top global franchise by Entrepreneur magazine in 2009, currently serves smoothies in more than 600 locations of which 550 are in 32 states across the United States and an additional 52 locations are in South Korea.

The multi-unit agreement with the Amer Group (www.amer-group.com), an Egyptian real estate development and hospitality company, provides for new locations initially throughout Egypt and then Turkey, with the first Smoothie King scheduled to open later this Summer in El Alamein, Egypt and additional locations currently planned for cities along the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, as well as in Cairo. The developer will be Tropicana for Projects, S.A.E., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Amer Group Corporation.

“We are always looking for new opportunities to extend our brand’s reach and are eager to find partners domestically and internationally that share Smoothie King’s core values and passion for our product,” said Steve Kuhnau, Smoothie King’s co-founder and CEO. “The Amer Group has demonstrated business expertise and an appreciation for Smoothie King’s commitment to supporting guests’ pursuit of healthy lifestyles. We are very excited to partner with Amer Group to bring Smoothie King to Egypt and Turkey.”

An owner of three premier resorts in Egypt, the Amer Group also is the largest local owner and operator of casual dining restaurant chains in Egypt, with nearly 40 restaurant outlets with brands including Chili’s, Studio Misr, Johnny Carino’s, Fish Market and Alain Le Notre.

“We are very pleased to add Smoothie King to our roster of brands in Egypt and Turkey,” said Scott C. Smith, Amer Group president and CEO. “Smoothie King combines a cutting-edge concept with an outstanding product offering and is the pioneer in the category, growing consistently over the last several years in the United States and abroad. We’re looking forward to introducing Egypt and Turkey to the nutritious and great taste of Smoothie King.”

Smoothie King first ventured internationally in 2003 with the opening of a location in Seoul, South Korea. Translation of the delicious and healthy smoothies proved so successful that the company has grown its South Korean presence to 52 locations. Smoothie King is currently considering additional international candidates with demonstrated restaurant and hospitality expertise to open franchises in other countries.

“Our founding principle to provide purpose-driven but great-tasting products to help people live healthier lives is universally appealing," said Kuhnau. “And we will continue to focus efforts upon finding partners and developing franchises both domestically and internationally.”

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About Smoothie King Franchises, Inc.

Smoothie King is a privately held, New Orleans-area-based franchise company and the premier Smoothie Bar and Nutritional Lifestyle Center in the industry. Smoothie King Centers offer guests the industry’s first, original nutritional fruit- and function-based, fresh-blended smoothies. Each Lifestyle Center also offers healthy retail product solutions, including sports beverages, energy bars, healthy snacks, vitamin supplements, herbs, minerals and other sports nutrition products. Smoothie King opened its first store in 1973 and started as the first franchised smoothie bar/health food store business in the United States in 1989. Smoothie King currently has more than 600 units operating in 32 states and the Republic of Korea. For more information, visit www.smoothieking.com. For inquiries regarding franchising, Mike Powers (985) 635-6973 ext. 232 or e-mail mpowers@smoothieking.com

About Amer Group

The Amer Group serves as an umbrella for a number of subsidiaries engaged in such diverse fields as hospitality, construction, real estate development and agriculture. Well respected for its ethical practices, the group is one of Egypt’s leading conglomerates. Best known for such mega-tourism projects as the resorts of Porto Marina, Golf Porto and Porto Sokhna, the group has long been a major player in the country’s hospitality industry. Besides owning five-star hotels, it also holds franchises for such successful international restaurant chains as Johnny Carino’s, Alain Le Notre and Chili’s, which the Amer Group has also launched in eight countries throughout the Middle East.