Exclusive holiday destination Puerto Banus, and home to the rich and famous, is the location of the first O’Briens Spanish store opening on Monday 6th December, 2004.

The first of a three store deal with English entrepreneur David Surgenor, the second and third stores are expected to be opened by end of 2005. The eagerly awaited Puerto Banus store is situated in a key location, in the heart of the tourist resort area, beside the popular Corte Inglais. "We wanted to ensure that our first store location would be in a premier site, to establish the brand, and ensure instant footfall", explains Franchise Partner David Surgenor.

Based in Spain for over 20 years, David expects the locals and visitors to embrace the healthy alternative lunchtime offer. He feels that the O’Briens healthy options made to order menu, including salads, Wrappo’s, and Low Fat Five Options sit very nicely with the health conscious residents and regular visitors to the region.

"Our Mediterranean paradise is home to thousands of Irish and English who have bough property in the area and to the hundreds of thousands of tourists and regular visitors every year who are hungry for a quality healthy alternative to the chips and beans fast foods typical of tourist destinations. While the O’Briens fruit and sandwich platters, part of the office and outside catering business will serve the busy nearby business community", explains David.

O’Briens are looking to expand the Spanish business through acquiring additional franchise partners for mainland Spain and the holiday resort islands.

Spain, and the greater Mediterranean region of Europe are part of O’Briens major international growth areas earmarked for 2005.

"We are looking at regions in Europe which will readily embrace the O’Briens concept, and holiday destinations pose a real expansion opportunity. The market is already familiar with the made to order healthy concept, plus with the advent of cheaper air travel, holiday resorts are becoming less seasonal", states Brody Sweeney, CEO and Founder O’Briens Irish Sandwich Bars.

Since the opening of the first O’Briens store, Brody and his management team have successfully opened over 260 outlets in Ireland, UK, the United States, Australia and Asia (India, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia). The U.K. is the largest market with over 140 stores, mostly franchised. O’Briens is the largest Gourmet Sandwich and Coffee chain in the U.K. and Ireland, and one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in Europe. O’Briens plans to grow to 1,000 stores over the next 5 years.

ENDS

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