SZ Worldwide Restaurant Concepts

New and Existing Franchisees Rebuilding Great American Brand SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Having shed its all-you- can-eat buffet image, Sizzler, the 313-unit, midscale casual dining chain, is back in a growth mode, with commitments from current and a new franchisee for 25 new restaurants worldwide. Long-time Sizzler franchisee, Salt Lake City-based Sizzling Platter, is planning to build its 22nd Sizzler restaurant in Boise, Idaho. It is Sizzling Platter's first new Sizzler in 12 years. Sizzling Platter was the chain's original franchisee, opening its first restaurant in 1963. The Boise location is the first of at least five new units Sizzling Platter plans to open over the next few years. BMW Management, Inc., Sizzler's largest franchisee with 25 restaurants, recently signed a development agreement for four new restaurants in Northern and Southern California. BMW's current restaurants are located throughout Southern California. In Las Vegas, Witman's Food, LLC has one restaurant under construction and has a commitment for three more, in addition to the two it already operates in greater Las Vegas. Sizzler's Puerto Rico franchisee, Multi Systems, Inc., recently broke ground on its 12th restaurant and has a commitment to open at least one more. Sizzler's international joint venture is currently developing its fourth location in the Beijing, China, area, part of a 10-restaurant agreement. "These commitments from our current franchisees are extremely important for two reasons," said Ken Cole, president and CEO. "They are helping to fuel our growth, but they also are sending a clear message that they believe in the brand and have confidence in it." In addition to existing franchisees, a new franchisee recently signed an agreement. Mitchell Family Properties, LLC, a Denny's franchisee, will soon begin construction on the first of three restaurants planned for Northwest Arkansas. "Expanding east of the Rockies is a key part of our U.S. development strategy," said Todd Peterson, vice president of development. "We are thrilled to have attracted a very high quality, experienced operator to take our brand into new markets that we believe are ideally suited to the Sizzler concept." Mitchell Family Properties has been recognized as a Denny's franchisee of the year. Over the last three years, Sizzler eliminated the all-you-can-eat buffet and returned to its original service style. Guests order and pay for their meals when they arrive, with servers delivering their food and tending to other needs. The chain also overhauled its menu and marketing, designed a new prototype and implemented a system-wide remodeling program. Based in Sherman Oaks, Calif., Sizzler operates 227 franchised and 86 company-owned restaurants worldwide. Sizzler is a division of Worldwide Restaurant Concepts, Inc. (NYSE:SZ), a leading casual dining company with operations throughout the world. For more information, please visit http://www.sizzler.com/ and http://www.wrconcepts.com/. DATASOURCE: Sizzler CONTACT: Brad Ritter of Brad Ritter Communications, LLC, +1-866-284-2170, or Web site: http://www.sizzler.com/ http://www.wrconcepts.com/

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