Mama Fu's Selling Out Fast in Florida

Mama Fu's Noodle House, a Raving Brands concept, has "WOK"ED its way to the number one Pan Asian noodle concept in Florida as it plans to establish a significant presence in Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Gainesville and parts of South Florida. Mama Fu's is the latest fast-casual Restaurant brainchild created by Martin Sprock, the Atlanta entrepreneur who is quickly building the fastest growing restaurant company in the country.

The new Mama Fu's franchisees include John Casey, the former Vice-Chairman and CFO of Wendy's International, his two sons, John and Kevin, as well as Sam Chawkin, a lawyer turned restaurant franchisee. They have committed to opening 10 in Orlando, coupled with Ed Gonzalez who will add three additional Mama Fu's in Orlando. Experienced Moe's franchisee Mike Burdick is partnering with Steve Delisle to open 12 Mama Fu's in South Florida. Tampa will open 10 Mama Fu's from restaurant franchisee, Guy Campbell. John Black from Jacksonville signed up for three Mama Fu's while the team of Mike Disser and Tony Friel will open in five in various locations in Florida. Stan Given will open one in Gainesville.

" The Mama Fu's concept is selling well because it is exciting, the dining experience is a win-win (quick casual that feels like casual dining), and the financial model is affordable and profitable," explains Darin Kraetsch, EVP, Mama Fu's. "The noodle house concept in Florida is heating up which is good because it motivates experienced franchisees to do their homework before signing to purchase a franchise. We expect very high marks as we grow our brand to be number one in the state and throughout the country."

Mama Fu's offerings are comprised of Vietnamese, Korean, Thai, Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Menu items include the Chicken Lettuce Wrap, a flavorful chicken wrap with shitake mushrooms, water chestnuts, scallions and garlic served with crisp lettuce cups, and the Ahi Tuna Salad, a spinach salad with seared Ahi Tuna, red onions, cucumbers, red bell peppers and ginger in raspberry vinaigrette with ponzu dipping sauce. Additional popular menu items include, Pad Thai Noodle Bowl, Spicy General Fu, and Red Thai Curry. The eclectic, high-energy atmosphere of Mama Fu's is family- friendly, with an average entrée price of $6.99. Mama Fu's also offers a $3.49 kids menu including Noodle Bob, a Teriyaki chicken entrée with egg noodles and a treat. Authentic Wok-cooking is a standard and none of the menu items contain MSG. Mama Fu's also features a variety of red and white wines and a mix of Asian and American beers.

" Over time, we expect Mama Fu's to redefine the casual dining market," says Martin Sprock, Founder and Chief, Raving Brands. "We have a brand that feels like a casual dining experience, yet with the affordability and convenience of the emerging quick casual category. If you can deliver great food, that looks and tastes fresh with authentic ethnic influences, you have raised the dining experience dramatically. That's what Mama Fu's is all about. Potential franchisees who walk into our Mama Fu's experience get that immediately."

Raving Brands owns the flagship store and has aggressive plans to Franchise with an anticipated 50 restaurants set to open in 2004 throughout the country. Franchisees receive the full resources of Raving Brands!, including its real estate buying power, with build-out that's usually half or a third of anyone in the category.

About Mama Fu's Noodle House
Mama Fu's is a Pan-Asian restaurant that offers innovative Vietnamese, Korean, Thai, Chinese and Japanese food selections. It is part of the Atlanta-based Raving Brands restaurant portfolio of fun, healthy, fresh and affordable restaurant concepts, which includes the successful Moe's Southwest Grill, Planet Smoothie and New Orleans-based PJ's Coffee. Martin Sprock, founder of Planet Smoothie and Moe's Southwest Grill, launched the Mama Fu's concept in June 2003. Mama Fu's currently has commitments for 165 restaurants throughout the United States. Dine-in or take-out is available from Sunday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.