NEW YORK - (Business Wire) NexCen Brands Inc. (Nasdaq: NEXC), owner of the Marble Slab Creamery, MaggieMoo
’s, Pretzel Time, Pretzelmaker, and Great American Cookies franchised brands, has entered into a co-branding agreement with Fresh
ëns
® Quality Brands, a provider of freshly-blended fruit smoothies in more than 1,200 locations nationwide.
The companies have agreed to offer NexCen’s pretzel and cookie franchisees the opportunity to add Freshëns smoothies in a co-branded store. This opportunity is available to approximately 650 NexCen franchised stores.
“Freshëns smoothies offer a complementary new product line to our pretzel and cookie franchise stores that will drive increased store sales,” said NexCen CEO Robert W. D’Loren. “We have conducted product tests with Freshëns for a number of months, with very favorable results. Many of our franchisees are enthusiastically planning to add Freshëns products.”
“This is an ideal opportunity to extend the distribution of Freshëns products through a growing network of premium quality franchise operators,” said John Stern, CEO of Freshëns. “We look forward to working with NexCen to extend our strong history of beverage innovation to a new partner.”
The NexCen-Freshëns strategic agreement also includes testing of co-branded ice cream and yogurt stores. The agreement is part of an ongoing initiative to expand the menus in NexCen’s 1,250 franchised quick service restaurants.
About NexCen Brands (www.nexcenbrands.com)
NexCen acquires and manages global brands, generating revenue through licensing and franchising. We currently own and license the Bill Blass and Waverly brands, as well as seven franchised brands. Two franchised brands – The Athlete’s Foot and Shoebox New York – sell retail footwear and accessories. Five are quick-service restaurants – Marble Slab Creamery, MaggieMoo’s, Pretzel Time, Pretzelmaker, and Great American Cookies.
The company licenses and franchises its brands to a network of leading retailers, manufacturers and franchisees that generate $1.3 billion in retail sales in more than 50 countries around the world. Our franchisees operate approximately 1,900 franchised stores. Franchisee support and training is provided at NexCen University, a state-of-the-art facility located in Atlanta.
NexCen Brands Inc.
William A. Walkowiak, CFA, 212-277-1150
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
ir@nexcenbrands.com
