Global Franchise Group Announces Expansion Of Marble Slab Creamery® Into Pakistan

ATLANTA, March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Franchise Group, LLC announced today the master franchise agreement with Western Brands PVT Ltd. for the opening of the first Marble Slab Creamery® locations in the country of Pakistan. Per the agreement with Western Brands PVT Ltd., the deal calls for the development of 10 Marble Slab Creamery stores in Pakistan over a 10-year period, with the 5,000 square foot flagship store opening up in the major city of Lahore, Pakistan. Marble Slab Creamery® is managed by GFG Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group.

The opening of the Marble Slab Creamery locations in Pakistan builds upon the brand's existing momentum in the South East Asian Sub Continent. Consistently ranked one of the top international food brands based on growth, Western Brands PVT Ltd. selected Marble Slab Creamery given its proven success internationally. Furthermore, Marble Slab Creamery is the Global Franchise Group's most requested international brand, currently operating in over 13 countries including Australia, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

"We were looking to expand Western Brands' portfolio to include a strong ice cream concept, and were impressed with Marble Slab Creamery's international business model," said Mr Jawad Qureshi, chief marketing officer of Western Brands. "We are excited to launch the brand with our flagship store in Pakistan and rapidly expanding our franchise locations starting from Lahore and into metropolitan cities like Islamabad and Karachi."

John Barber, chief development officer, Global Franchise Group, added: "Global Franchise Group allows for a seamless transition for its brands into new global markets through master agreements. The franchisees follow a model that can be customized to meet the local tastes and needs of the specific area where they are opening stores. Out of all of our brands, we are noticing unprecedented international interest around Marble Slab Creamery."

"The new locations in Pakistan are an extension of Marble Slab Creamery's existing presence in the Middle East and the South East Asian sub-continent," said John Peddar, director of international development, Global Franchise Group. "In a nation of 176 million people, we expect that the brand product will be well-received and positioned for growth in this emerging market."

About Marble Slab Creamery® www.marbleslab.com
Marble Slab Creamery, a leading purveyor of chef created super-premium hand-mixed ice cream and the innovator of the frozen slab technique, was founded in 1983. Every batch of Marble Slab Creamery ice cream is fresh made in small batches in store using dairy from local farms and flavor ingredients from around the world. Today, Marble Slab Creamery is enjoyed by consumers across the globe with locations in Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Oman, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

About Global Franchise Group, LLC www.globalfranchise.com
Global Franchise Group, LLC is a strategic brand management company with a focus on franchising. The company owns a portfolio of franchise brands that includes five quick service restaurant (QSR) franchise concepts: Great American Cookies®, Marble Slab Creamery®, MaggieMoo's®, Pretzelmaker® and Pretzel Time®. The brands are managed by GFG Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group, LLC. Global Franchise Group, LLC is an affiliate of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, an independent investment firm, with approximately $5 billion of capital under management and substantial franchise management experience.

SOURCE Global Franchise Group, LLC