EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jamba Juice Company (NASDAQ:JMBA), a leading healthy, active lifestyle brand announced today that the Company has entered into a master franchise development agreement with Casa Operadora de Franquicias MAV S.A.P.I de C.V (“MAV”), to develop 80 Jamba Juice stores® in Mexico over the next ten years. The first Jamba Juice store in Mexico is expected to open in late 2013.
The principals of MAV, Mario Conzuelo Betancourt and Manuel Saba Ades, are seasoned executives operating food and beverage, and health and wellness retail businesses across Mexico and Latin America. Mario Conzuelo serves as CEO of the newly formed venture, and has previously launched and successfully developed a major international franchise beverage brand in Mexico. Manuel Saba serves as Chairman and CEO of Grupo Casa Saba, one of the leading distributors of pharmaceutical, health, beauty and consumer goods, general merchandise and publications in Mexico and South America.
“We are pleased to be partnering with Mario and Manuel in extending Jamba’s global efforts to provide solutions for health, nutrition and an active lifestyle to consumers throughout Mexico,” said Thibault de Chatellus, Senior Vice President, International, Jamba Juice Company. “The experience and reputation of this group within the beverage and consumer goods industries provides considerable advantage in rapidly developing Jamba Juice in the highly coveted Mexican market, a market we feel is a natural expansion to consumers who are already familiar with the product offering and our brand.”
“We are very excited about the opportunity to bring Jamba Juice to Mexico,” said Mario Conzuelo, CEO of MAV. “As a sports enthusiast, including marathons and triathlons, I personally connect with the Jamba Juice brand and am committed to sharing my passion and inspiring Mexicans to lead healthy active lives and to enjoy Jamba’s delicious smoothies, juices and other better-for-you menu items. The beverage market is growing and Mexican consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of healthy eating habits. Jamba Juice will fill a gap in the market by providing great tasting and nutritious food and beverages.”
This agreement represents the latest step in Jamba's international franchise store growth. The Company believes the potential for Jamba® stores internationally exceeds 1000 units, and this agreement brings the current pipeline commitment to 400 stores in South Korea, Canada, the Philippines and Mexico. Jamba Juice is currently awarding franchise opportunities in other select markets around the globe. For more information about joining the Jamba Juice team, visit, www.jambafranchise.com.
About Jamba Juice Company
Founded in 1990, Jamba Juice Company (NASDAQ:JMBA) is a leading restaurant retailer of better-for-you, specialty beverage and food offerings, which include great tasting, whole fruit smoothies, fresh squeezed juices and juice blends, hot coffee and teas, hot oatmeal, breakfast wraps, bistro sandwiches and mini-wraps, California Flatbreads™, frozen yogurt, and a variety of baked goods and snacks. Jamba-branded products for at-home enjoyment are also available through select retailers across the nation and in Jamba outlets. As of January 1, 2013, there were 809 store locations globally. Jamba is a proud sponsor of “Team Up for a Healthy America” in the fight against childhood obesity and encourages fans to join the Team Up community of celebrities, athletes and other leaders committed to getting kids active and involved at www.myhealthpledge.com. Fans of Jamba Juice can learn more about specific offerings and promotions, and find a location near them by visiting the Jamba Juice website at www.JambaJuice.com, becoming a Jamba insider at www.JambaJuice.com/insider, liking our page on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/JambaJuice, following us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/JambaJuice or by contacting Jamba’s Guest Services team at 1-866-4R-FRUIT (473-7848).
About Casa Operadora de Franquicias MAV
Casa Operadora de Franquicias MAV is a new entity formed by seasoned Mexican executives, with the purpose of developing Jamba Juice and other F&B concepts throughout Mexico. MAV’s key principals include Mario Conzuelo Betancourt, who as CEO of Casa International del Te successfully launched and developed a major international franchise beverage brand in Mexico. Manuel Saba Ades, another key principal, is the Chairman of Grupo Casa Saba, one of the leading distributors of pharmaceutical, health, beauty and consumer goods, general merchandise and publications in Mexico and South America.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release (including information incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference herein) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are those involving future events and future results that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projects as well as the current beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “appears,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, are intended to identify such forward looking statements. Any statement that is not a historical fact, including estimates, projections, future trends and the outcome of events that have not yet occurred, is a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our reports filed with the SEC. Many of such factors relate to events and circumstances that are beyond our control. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update the information contained in this press release.