Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Signs Deals to Enter Seven New Markets as First Quarter Comp Sales Growth Nears Nine Percent

Texas, California key expansion states

PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#franchise–Bruster’s Real Ice Cream has signed franchise development agreements
that will introduce its premium frozen treats to seven new markets. The
announcement comes as the chain posts an 8.8 percent same-store sales
increase for the first quarter of 2017. Comp sales for 2016 were up 7.2
percent with 92 stores setting sales records. This followed 10.4 percent
growth in 2015.

So far this year Bruster’s has inked deals for new shops in San Antonio,
Austin and Lewisville, Texas; Athens, Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee;
Laurel-Columbia, Maryland; and, Burlington-Waltham, Massachusetts, all
of which are new markets.

The brand also will be expanding in Southern California with an
agreement for a new shop in Upland. It will be the seventh Bruster’s in
the Los Angeles market. Three are currently operating with three more
scheduled to open this spring. Earlier this year, Bruster’s entered the
Phoenix market with its first Arizona shop and added a location in the
Pittsburgh market. This recent growth follows the opening of 12 new
locations in 2016.

In mid-January, the chain launched a three-month campaign in Texas,
Arizona and California using digital and social media marketing,
including Facebook, to attract potential franchisees. “Many of these
recent agreements are a direct result of our strong push to expand in
the West and Southwest,” said Bruster’s CEO Jim Sahene. “The response
from the franchise community throughout the country has been amazing, as
more and more prospective franchisees recognize that Bruster’s really is
a unique concept that stands out from other frozen treat brands.” Sahene
added that new franchisees also are being drawn to Bruster’s because of
its strong sales performance and unit economics.

Photos available at http://brusters.com/media/multimedia/.

Connect with Bruster’s Real Ice Cream online at www.brusters.com,
www.facebook.com/BrustersRealIceCream
and @BrustersFresh.

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream features 150 flavors of premium, handcrafted
ice cream, yogurt, Italian ice and sorbet. Starting with a proprietary,
home-style mix delivered fresh from its dairy, Certified Ice Cream
Makers in each shop craft at least 24 flavors every day. There are
nearly 200 independently owned locations in 20 states, Guyana and South
Korea. Click
here for franchise information.

Contacts

Ritter Communications, LLC
Brad Ritter, 866-284-2170
BRitter@bradritter.com