Glory Days Grill® Hires Former TGI Friday's Senior Franchise Developer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Monday, March 28, 2005
CONTACT: JEFF NEWMAN, 703-818-7692, x1

Fast-growing casual-dining chain hires Chris Rich to head national franchise development efforts.

Fairfax, VA — Northern Virginia based Glory Days Grill, a national restaurant company, hired Chris Rich to lead the company's national franchising efforts. Rich, who was a pivotal part of the Friday's franchise and executive team that implemented the international expansion of the chain in more than 30 countries, started formally working with the organization in January.

Rich will be working with Glory Days, Inc. to lead franchise development and operations. Says co-founder and president of Glory Days, Inc., Jeff Newman, "With Chris Rich on board, we are poised for smart growth. We could not be more excited to have a person of his talent, experience and knowledge on board with our organization."

Part of Rich's goal for growing the company is to find franchisees who hold the same beliefs as reflected in the Glory Days Grill concept's culture. This includes not only community involvement but also the reputation for serving only high quality meats and produce. For example, each store receives deliveries of their meats, breads and vegetables six days a week. "We are one of the few restaurant chains who still make salad dressings and sauces by hand in our kitchen each day," said Rich. "Our managers inspect each delivery as it comes to our back door, and our vendors know that the food better be the best in the market or it will get sent back."

Rich explains the importance of franchisees knowing a market and having demonstrated successful business practices, "We don't want someone to come in and learn a market – we look for people that already have the experience that matches our philosophy."

Glory Days Grill is a sports-themed restaurant with sixteen locations in four states and is scheduled to open three additional locations during 2005. The concept has been recognized for a variety of charitable contributions and fundraising efforts that benefit local communities.

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