Accredited Members Adds 'Southern Hospitality' to Spring Micro Cap Investment Conference

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Accredited Members, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Accredited Members Holding Corporation (OTCBB: ACCM) and a leading publisher of information and research about small and micro cap companies, today announced it plans to introduce the Southern Hospitality Restaurant franchise opportunity to attendees at its Spring 2012 Micro Cap Investment Conference, with serial investor and international music industry veteran Ryan Tedder as a featured guest speaker. The event is set for March 15-16 at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Co-created by pop culture and media icon Justin Timberlake, Southern Hospitality has become a New York City sensation, boasting exceptional southern comfort food and barbeque dishes, a contemporary rustic decor with an edgy ambiance and its famed Bourbon Room, featuring more than 50 varieties of this southern favorite. With two trendy locations in New York's Upper East Side in Manhattan and Hell's Kitchen, both have become a favorite eatery and watering hole for New York City's A-List celebrities, hosting a number of high-profile events, including Derek Jeter's 3,000th Hit Party, Al Pacino's Merchant of Venice Tony Awards Viewing Party, among many others.

In August, Accredited and Tedder, who is already part owner in the Hell's Kitchen location, announced their partnership to develop a collection of new Southern Hospitality stores that would expand the franchise beyond New York City, beginning with a location in Denver. At the Spring conference, attendees will learn details of the franchise opportunity and Tedder will share his own insight and experience as an investor in this thriving restaurant brand.

"I've been in love with the New York locations of Southern Hospitality since the day the first one opened," says Tedder. "I take every friend or family member possible to either location, and it is hands-down the best place to just 'hang' and the food is insanely good. The vibe and style of these places makes them feel like they've been there for 100 years."

"The whole idea of opening additional restaurants started with me just wanting one location in Denver, in my own backyard," said Tedder, a Colorado native. "Accredited had the idea of opening a few more in a handful of select cities, in the best parts of town and it's taken off from there. Everywhere I go, I tell people about my experience with the brand and the restaurants, whenever the topic of 'food' comes up...which is a lot."

In developing its collection of stores, Southern Hospitality Franchisee Holding Corporation will seek out locations that combine a thriving, high-traffic and effortlessly cool vibe with adaptive reuse wherever possible to create a sophisticated turn-of-the-century American Industrial feel. Each new location will feature reclaimed hardwood lumber decor and iron signage juxtaposed against modern, yet casual, family-friendly cuisine.

The menu will feature traditional southern favorites and barbeque recipes perfected by the Food Network's Dr. BBQ Ray Lamp, as well as Timberlake's own grandmother's famous pecan pie. In addition, a wide range of health-conscious choices, along with regional fare developed by Master Chef Vic Matthews will provide for a high quality, diverse selection and overall experience like no other.

A key member of the leadership team, Matthews' culinary career spans three decades, including service at the helm of numerous four- and five-star restaurants, multiple new venture launches and as CEO, dean and owner of the Paragon Culinary School five-star level training facility.

On the operations side, Matthews is joined by Gerard Lewis, another seasoned senior restaurant executive who has been the culinary mastermind behind numerous innovations in the industry, including Mike Ditka's Iron Mike's upscale steakhouse franchise, Stevens and Stevens trendy New York deli, and casual upscale venues Atria's Restaurants and Juniper Grill. Lewis' 30-year career has also included award-winning product developments at Wendy's International and Boston Market Corporation, among many others.

"Southern Hospitality combines outstanding food and unique atmosphere with a subtle celebrity undertone that creates buzz and mystique while maintaining a low-key, casual authenticity that resonates with consumers of all ages and demographics," said JW Roth, CEO of Accredited Members. "We are very excited to leverage the success of the New York locations to offer this truly extraordinary dining experience to consumers and potential partners."

To learn more about Southern Hospitality visit www.SouthernHospitalityDenver.com.

For investment opportunities, register now for the Accredited Members Spring 2012 Micro Cap Investment Conference at www.InvestAMI.com.

About Accredited Members: 

Accredited Members Holding Corporation (OTCBB: ACCM) is the parent company for Accredited Members Inc., which is a leading publisher of information and investment research about small and micro cap companies. Accredited Members Inc. holds conferences for investors to meet and build relationships with small/micro cap companies and other member investors, publishes a quarterly magazine, and provides a monthly Research Report for its members. In addition, through its Accredited Members Managed Services division, the Company provides contract C-Level executive and consulting services to emerging private companies. 

The Accredited Members Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6576

Forward-Looking Statements:

The information in this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding Accredited Members' capital needs, business strategy and expectations. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may", "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," or "continue," the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Actual events or results may differ materially. Accredited Members disclaims any obligation to publicly update these statements, or disclose any difference between its actual results and those reflected in these statements. The information constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

SOURCE Southern Hospitality