Global Franchise Group Partners with the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena

ATLANTA, April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Franchise Group, the strategic brand management company, is pleased to announce its partnership with the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. A co-branded store featuring Pretzelmaker® and Great American Cookies® will be open to guests during all ticketed events held at Philips Arena. In addition to the flagship store, one Pretzelmaker cart and two Great American Cookies carts will be positioned in different locations throughout the arena so fans can enjoy all that both brands have to offer. Both brands are managed by GFG Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group.   

"We are very excited to partner with the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena," says Chris Dull, President & CEO, Global Franchise Group, LLC. "With our headquarters and manufacturing facilities based in Atlanta, we feel that there is a natural synergy between our franchise brands and a premiere, internationally-known venue and hometown NBA team." 

Philips Arena is considered to be one of the leading state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports and entertainment complexes in the world, hosting top-ranked concert tours, professional and collegiate sporting events, family shows and conferences year-round.  In addition, the arena is home to the NBA's Atlanta Hawks and the WNBA's Atlanta Dream and hosts 160 events and 1.6 million guests annually.

"The Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena are always looking for ways to enhance our guests' overall experience and feel that Pretzelmaker and Great American Cookies offered an exciting addition to our food and beverage choices," stated Bob Williams, President, Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena. "Partnering with a local Atlanta company is a wonderful way for us to further invest in our loyal fans and celebrate what live game-nights and event-nights have to offer."

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.

About the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena
The Atlanta Hawks, a member of the National Basketball Association since 1949, play in the Southeast Division, along with the Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards. Tickets for all Hawks home 2013 playoff games are on sale at www.hawks.com/tickets, the Philips Arena box office and all Ticketmaster locations, with absolutely no ticketing fees. Atlanta Hawks Memberships for the 2013-14 season are on sale now! For more information on the Hawks, log on to www.hawks.com.

Named for founding partner Philips, Philips Arena is consistently ranked among the top 10 concert and event venues in the world. In April 2009, Philips Arena became the first NBA arena to achieve LEED certification for an existing building as specified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).  Philips Arena is online at www.PhilipsArena.com.

SOURCE Global Franchise Group, LLC