Sodexho's Retail Brand Group Opens First Salsa Rico Franchise

GAITHERSBURG, Md, January 25, 2007-The first-ever franchised Salsa Rico ®, a Baja-style Mexican grill from Sodexho, Inc.-subsidiary Retail Brand Group, LLC., opened this week, officially debuting a new look for the fast-casual chain. The new location in downtown Philadelphia, operated by experienced restaurant operators Hyula and Layla Aksan, combines an array of new elements like weathered wood, galvanized steel and bright colors, transforming the fast-casual concept into the kind of breezy, ocean-front surf shack you would find on a trip along the coastlines of Southern California and Mexico.

“Our new design ties a modern but timeless look with the bold flavors that have made Salsa Rico one of our fastest growing brands,” said Husein Kitabwalla, vice president of operations and development, Retail Brand Group. “We think it is perfect for our first franchised location.”

Despite Salsa Rico's vibrant new look, you can find the same great food served at Salsa Rico's 17 campus and corporate locations. The restaurant offers an extensive collection of favorites including tacos, nachos, quesadillas, salads and specialty burritos, along with a wide variety of homemade salsas and guacamole-made from special proprietary recipes using only the freshest of ingredients.

Retail Brand Group, LLC is a comprehensive portfolio of distinctive restaurant brands, including award-winning concepts Jazzman's Café and Pandini's, offering targeted retail opportunities for its brands to independent and multi-site operators of stand-alone locations, as well as locations within shopping centers, strip malls, airports and other venues. As a subsidiary of Sodexho, Inc., and with the experience of more than 475 locations nationwide, Retail Brand Group has branded solutions suited for virtually any venue. From bistros and coffeehouses to upscale pizza, gourmet burgers and authentic ethnic cuisine, Retail Brand Group turns dining into a memorable event. Learn more about the wide variety of fast-casual concepts available for franchising at www.retailbrandgroup.com.

Sodexho, Inc. (www.sodexhoUSA.com) is the leading provider of integrated food and facilities management in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $6.7 billion in annual revenue and 125,000+ employees. Sodexho offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, groundskeeping, plant operations and maintenance, asset management, and laundry services to 6,000 corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, government and remote sites throughout North America. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md, Sodexho proudly serves as the official food service provider for the U.S. Marine Corps.