Rockn’ Joe Receives Town Approval to Build Franchise

CRANFORD, NJ – October 28, 2005 – Rockn’ Joe Franchise Systems, the franchise company of Rockn’ Joe Coffeehouse and Bistro, has received approval from the Point Pleasant Borough Planning Board to construct a Rockn’ Joe Coffeehouse and Bistro.

The 4,000-square-foot restaurant will be on Bridge Avenue at the location of a former auto parts store.

“We are thrilled to have received this approval and we look forward to becoming an active member of the Point Pleasant business community,” said Kevin Brennan, CEO of Rockn’ Joe. “We look forward to providing quality coffee, tasty sandwiches and delectable desserts at that location for many years to come.”

The new Point Pleasant location, which is expected to open in early 2006, will feature the next generation of Rockn’ Joe décor, according to Brennan. The store’s design will be similar to the flagship store in Cranford, with casual banquette seating, but will also feature a fireplace and additional seating areas. The Point Pleasant coffeehouse will also include new amenities, such as a children’s play area and a conference room that could be rented out to local groups and businesses.

“I think Rockn’ Joe is a gem of an idea,” said Point Pleasant Mayor Martin Konkus. “It will be good to have a place for professionals and casual visitors in town to go for tasty morsels and excellent beverages, while conducting business or simply relaxing. I believe it will be a welcomed addition to our town.”

Chee Phan of Little Egg Harbor, N.J., who has two decades of experience in the food service industry, will operate the Point Pleasant coffeehouse. He was selected earlier this year as the company’s first franchise owner.

The centerpiece of Rockn’ Joe is the coffee. Along with its secret bean selection and roasting technique, Rockn’ Joe coffees are made with specially-treated water – a key component for consistently rich, flavorful drip coffee.

For the past five years, Rockn’ Joe coffee has clinched the “Golden Cup Award” from the Specialty Coffee Association of America. Award winners must annually submit a sample of their water and brewed coffee for laboratory analysis.

According to the National Coffee Association, daily consumption of specialty coffee among adults is at record highs, with 16 percent of the adult population drinking at least one cup a day. That number has spiked four percent since 2003. More than 55 percent of Americans adults say they drink specialty coffee on occasion.

Coffeehouses in the United States are more popular than ever, with 11,250 locations nationally averaging $550,000 in annual sales. The specialty coffee industry has grown to a $6.12 billion industry, according to the Specialty Coffee Association of America. The total coffee market, including cafes, kiosk, carts and retailers was at $8.96 billion in 2003, nearly a $1.5 billion increase from 1999.

Brennan said Rockn’ Joe has received interest from international investors, as well as from hundreds of people living throughout the country. He said the company is actively searching for the right franchisees – people who are dedicated to making Rockn’ Joe the nation’s best franchise system.

“Franchisees need to know that their success is our success,” Brennan said. “To that end, we offer one of the finest support networks in the franchise industry. If you enjoy being extremely creative and expressing your own personality and taste, then this is the business for you.”

For more information, please contact Rockn’ Joe toll free at 1-800-926-4003 or reach us on the web at www.rocknjoe.net.