Nassau Coliseum adds BLIMPIE subs to the game; BLIMPIE International, Inc. signs food service operator ARAMARK as latest franchisee; Agreement marks first stadium deal signed by the world's second leading submarine sandwich chain

Business Wire, Feb 14, 1996

NASSAU, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 1996--Blimpie International, Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: BMPE) has opened its newest new-concept location in the Nassau Coliseum under a three-year agreement with the two companies.

Under the terms of the agreement, ARAMARK, the concessionaire of Nassau Coliseum, will operate a full-service BLIMPIE unit at a walk-up concession stand, as well as a BLIMPIE cart in the arena's main concourse. BLIMPIE subs will be available at all Coliseum events, including New York Islanders games. The Nassau Coliseum seats approximately 16,500 people per hockey game.

ARAMARK, based in Philadelphia, franchised the units from BLIMPIE International, Inc. Area Developer Pat Conlin, based in Uniondale, has exclusive development rights for Nassau and Suffolk counties. Currently, BLIMPIE operates 21 units in the Nassau-Suffolk area, with an additional five units currently under development in the market.

The walk-up concession stand will dedicate one-half of its space for the preparation of freshly made BLIMPIE sandwiches, featuring a BLIMPIE-branded menu displaying the various offerings. Initially, the menu will feature the four most popular BLIMPIE subs, starring their signature sandwich and best-seller, "the BLIMPIE Best".

The full-service concession site will also supply the BLIMPIE cart in the main concourse area, as well as vendors, who will hawk the subs in the arena's seating areas. Both the cart and the vendors will offer the BLIMPIE signature freshly made, prepackaged submarine sandwiches.

"While we have been expanding into many new-concept outlets, Nassau Coliseum is a very unique venue for BLIMPIE," notes Pat Conlin. "It allows us to serve our customers who attend games, and it enables us to introduce BLIMPIE to many people who may not be familiar with the brand."

According to Frank Musciano, ARAMARK Area Vice President/Sports and Entertainment, "We look for partners that represent the quality and image of ARAMARK. BLIMPIE is a perfect fit. It gives us the opportunity to serve a top-notch product to consumers and sports fans."

In addition to the branded menu adorning the concession stand, the BLIMPIE logo will be prominently displayed on the arena's rotational signs surrounding the scoreboards. To entertain the eager sports fans, the overhead scoreboard will display an electronic BLIMPIE subs race during each game.

To "face-off" this deal with ARAMARK, patrons attending Islanders games will receive $1 off a BLIMPIE sub at any of the 21 Nassau-Suffolk locations, upon presentation of a ticket stub from the game.

"This venture marks yet another creative approach in co-branding - this arrangement with ARAMARK exemplifies our marketing strategy of providing the quality and convenience of BLIMPIE at an affordable price," says BLIMPIE Founder and CEO Anthony Conza. "We can tell it's already a success - the team's record has dramatically improved since they started serving BLIMPIE subs at the Coliseum!"

BLIMPIE International, Inc. is the franchisor of the world's second leading submarine sandwich restaurant chain, with approximately 1,300 outlets operating in 44 states. Last year, the chain opened its first unit on international soil in Stockholm, Sweden. Further international expansion in Europe is planned for 1996.

Founded in 1964, BLIMPIE International, Inc. was ranked in 1995 as the nation's fastest growing quick-service restaurant chain by Nation's Restaurant News, the industry's leading trade publication.

ARAMARK's Leisure Services division is the leading provider of catering, concession, recreation, facility design, retail merchandising services, and lodging at more than 70 professional sports facilities, 18 concession centers, and national and state parks, resorts, and tourist attractions. ARAMARK is proud of its thirty year association with the Olympic movement and is the food service manager of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. ARAMARK Corp., based in Philadelphia, is the world leader in managed services including food, entertainment, uniform, health, and child care services with sales in 1995 exceeding $5.6 billion.

CONTACT: Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners

Janina Lieberson, 212/337-4545