Foster’s Grille Set To Take a Big Bite Out of Franchising

(Haymarket, Va., September 1, 2005) - Foster’s Grille, a casual restaurant chain based
in Haymarket, Virginia, is moving into franchising nationwide starting September 2005.
Since opening their first location 6 1/2 years ago in Manassas, Virginia, Foster’s Grille
has proven to be a neighborhood favorite wherever they go. The menu features “The
Charburger,” a 1/2 lb. char-grilled burger that’s made to order, with fresh hand-cut fries,
their authentic wings, and other flame broiled sandwiches. Initially, their growth has been centered on the suburbs of Northern Virginia, but that’s about to change. “We opened a single mom and pop style neighborhood grille and it was so popular that a year later we opened our second store and now we have seven company owned locations,” says Shawn Foster, the President/CEO of Foster’s Grille. Shawn, who spent eight years as a corporate chef for The Palm Restaurants, is responsible for overall operations and his partner Lewie Bloom oversees real estate and construction. Together, they have put everything in place for a national roll-out.

Shawn and Lewie have recently hired Tom Palazzo as Director of Franchising, the
former Franchise Director of Sylvan Learning Systems. Tom worked for Sylvan six years
and was largely responsible for their tremendous growth. “Franchisees will have use of our proven proprietary operating system, brand name, and be given the training and support needed to run a successful operation. We have already established a great reputation for delicious food and great service, and that will continue throughout our National Franchise Network,” says Tom Palazzo.

They have their sights on bringing the Foster’s Grille neighborhood cookout theme to
neighborhoods all over America. Lewie Bloom says that part of the reason for their success is that they give people great food for reasonable prices. “Our TV spots say our burgers are ‘Too Big For Two Hands,’ we just make sure that the bill never is.”