Growth from Franchise and Area Development Initiatives Expected to Play Key
Role in National Expansion of U-SWIRL Concept in Coming Year
HENDERSON, Nev., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- U-SWIRL International,
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Healthy Fast Food, Inc. (OTC Bulletin
Board: HFFI), the owner and franchisor of U-SWIRL® Frozen Yogurt stores, today
announced that U-SWIRL franchisee, Galena Frozen Yogurt Company, hosted the
grand opening of its first of three planned U-SWIRL self-serve frozen yogurt
stores this past weekend in Reno, Nevada.
"Working with the entire Galena team has been fantastic," stated Rich Ungaro,
Chief Operating Officer of Healthy Fast Food. "They quickly grasped that our
profitable U-SWIRL concept includes our total guest experience - delicious
frozen yogurt products within our socially enhanced experience."
Located at 57 Damonte Ranch Parkway in the Southtowne Crossing Shopping
Center, the new 2,200 square foot superstore features 16 rotating and some
seasonal flavors of frozen yogurt, including a wide variety of non-fat,
no-sugar added, non-dairy and tart selections; and more than 60 toppings,
including seasonal fresh fruit, candies, granolas and sauces. Guests pay for
their individual creations by the ounce, not by the cup size. In addition,
the store offers free WI-FI, hip décor with ample comfortable seating ideal
for lounging, and late hours of operation.
"We are thrilled to bring U-SWIRL to Reno and expect our store will fast prove
to be a destination of choice for people looking for high quality, refreshing
treats and a cool, fun place to kick back, relax and commune with their
friends and family members," said Taylor Cohee, Managing Principle at Galena.
"Now that our first store is officially opened for business, we look forward
to pursuing plans to expand our market presence in Reno fairly quickly,
establishing at least two more store locations in the next 12 months."
The opening of the new U-SWIRL store in Reno brings the total number of
U-SWIRL self-serve locations in operation to seven - five Company-owned stores
opened between March and October of this year; and one other franchise store
that has been serving residents of Las Vegas since April 2008.
In addition to scouting commercial sites for new Company-owned stores in
certain target markets, U-SWIRL International is offering franchise and area
development opportunities to entrepreneurial business owners and system
operators as part of its nationwide expansion effort. The estimated initial
investment for a U-SWIRL franchise is $350,000 to $455,000, exclusive of real
estate costs. Franchisees pay an initial franchise fee of $15,000 for a
single unit, or $15,000 plus $5,000 times the minimum number for an area
development agreement. The minimum number is the number of stores the Company
determines should be opened in the development area. Franchisees pay a 3%
royalty on weekly net sales and may pay an additional 2% to support national
and regional advertising efforts, once the system has grown to a sufficient
size to warrant these efforts. Franchisees are required to dedicate at least
1% of their net sales to local advertising.
Ungaro added, "The self-serve frozen yogurt business model is ranked among the
world's most popular franchising opportunities today. Healthy Fast Food is
intent on establishing U-SWIRL as a major industry player and a globally
recognized brand. To that end, we fully expect franchising and area
development initiatives to play a much more significant role in our expansion
effort in 2010 and beyond."
ABOUT GALENA FROZEN YOGURT
A franchisee of U-SWIRL, Galena Frozen Yogurt is owned and operated by Taylor
Cohee, Lisa Fisher, Frank Fisher and Michelle Cho. With three planned
locations in Reno, U-SWIRL International has also launched its franchise
program to roll out the concept nationwide in those states in which the
Company is qualified to offer franchises.
ABOUT U-SWIRL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
U-SWIRL International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Healthy Fast Food, Inc.,
and is launching a national chain of self-serve frozen yogurt stores called
U-SWIRL® Frozen Yogurt. U-SWIRL allows guests the ultimate choice in frozen
yogurt by providing up to 20 non-fat flavors, including tart, traditional, no
sugar-added options, and more than 60 toppings, including seasonal fresh
fruit, sauces, candy and granola. Guests serve themselves and pay by the
ounce instead of by the cup size. A healthier alternative to a coffee shop
hang out, locations are furnished with couches and tables, and patio seating.
U-SWIRL has announced plans to have up to ten stores in operation or in
development by the end of 2009. In addition to its development of
Company-owned stores, U-SWIRL International has also launched its franchise
program to roll out the concept nationwide in those states in which the
Company is qualified to offer franchises. For the latest updates on new store
openings, promotional offerings and other important developments, you can
follow the Company on Facebook at U-SWIRL and/or Twitter @U_SWIRL.
ABOUT HEALTHY FAST FOOD, INC.
Headquartered in Henderson, Nevada, Healthy Fast Food, Inc. is on a mission to
deliver consumers a smarter alternative to America's favorite meals and
snacks. In October 2008, the Company acquired the worldwide rights to
U-SWIRL® Frozen Yogurt and has commenced executing an aggressive strategy to
build the brand into a globally recognized chain of highly experiential frozen
yogurt stores, led by its wholly-owned subsidiary, U-SWIRL International, Inc.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the timing
and financial impact of Healthy Fast Food, Inc.'s ability to implement its
business plan, expected revenues and future success. These statements involve
a number of risks and uncertainties and are based on assumptions involving
judgments with respect to future economic, competitive and market conditions
and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to
predict accurately and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Some
of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those indicated by the forward-looking statements are general economic
conditions, failure to achieve expected revenue growth, changes in our
operating expenses, legal developments, competitive pressures, changes in
customer and market requirements and standards, and the risk factors detailed
from time to time in Healthy Fast Food's periodic filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including without limitation, the Company's Annual
Report for the year ended December 31, 2008. The forward looking-statements
in this press release are based upon management's reasonable belief as of the
date hereof. Healthy Fast Food undertakes no obligation to revise or update
publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Elite Financial Communications Group, LLC
Dodi Handy, President and CEO (Twitter: @dodihandy) or
Kathy Addison, Director of Elite Media Group (Twitter: @kathyaddison)
407-585-1080 or via email at HFFI@efcg.net
SOURCE Healthy Fast Food, Inc.
Elite Financial Communications Group, LLC, Dodi Handy, President and CEO
(Twitter: @dodihandy), or Kathy Addison, Director of Elite Media Group
(Twitter: @kathyaddison), +1-407-585-1080, HFFI@efcg.net
