Elephant & Castle Signs New Franchise Deal in New Jersey

Elephant & Castle Group Inc. announced that it has added another franchised location to its Northeastern US cluster of pub-restaurants - and will open an Elephant & Castle at a Holiday Inn in Springfield, New Jersey.

Elephant & Castle now has 5 locations in the northeast US, and a total of 28 restaurants in the company's US-Canadian franchised and corporately-owned system.

While the company opened a total of seven locations in its last fiscal year, this is the first time since the events of last September that the company has reported a new Franchise agreement.

"We view this, and several other prospects that are now in negotiation, as very positive signs of a strengthening investment climate," said E&C President Rick Bryant. "The travel and accommodation sectors have been through some tough times, but we're very confident that a turnaround is starting to happen."

On a Franchising push in recent times, all of the most recent locations are linked to hotels. The Restaurant provides service for all three meal periods.

The adaptability of the Elephant & Castle brand to a variety of environments has been clearly demonstrated in the past year. In Chicago's Loop, the restaurant is smack in the middle of the business district, as it is in Boston. The newest Pennsylvania location is almost rural; in Cherry Hill, NJ, it's suburban, and in Vancouver, BC, it's right on the Fraser River.

"The pub, and everything we have been able to do to make what we believe a pub should be, has enduring and universal appeal," said Mr. Bryant. "It's a place for a pint of great beer, for quality comfort food, and a place to meet friends. We have inherited a legacy of many centuries of tradition."

Unlike other themes that have entered the market, Mr. Bryant sees Elephant & Castle as a "virtually timeless" brand, where "all we need to do is make sure that the food is excellent, the service is welcoming and the atmosphere continues to be authentic and relevant."

Elephant & Castle Group Inc. is the premier operator and franchisor of authentic British-style pubs in North America, with 24 locations in Canada and the US. In addition, the company owns and Franchises Alamo Steakhouse & Grill™, a Southwestern-theme steakhouse concept with 4 locations in the US.