Corner Bakery Cafe Partners with PhaseNext Hospitality to Open 12 New Cafes in Non-Traditional Venues Across the U.S.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Corner Bakery Cafe’s expansion continues into non-traditional venues, announcing today that it will partner with franchisee PhaseNext Hospitality to develop 12 new Corner Bakery Cafe locations in non-traditional venues over the next five years.

“As we searched for a cafe/bakery brand for our portfolio, we quickly realized that the unsurpassed quality combined with the variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner menu items Corner Bakery Cafe offers was a perfect fit for non-traditional venues,” says Roz Mallet, co-founder, CEO and President of PhaseNext Hospitality, a minority and woman owned multi-concept franchise operator, focusing on operating premium, fast casual restaurants in non-traditional venues including airports, train stations, military bases and university campuses. “Spending many years in the bakery cafe business, I’ve seen first-hand the high level of demand for this fastest growing segment of our industry. As a former competitor, I have tremendous esteem for Corner Bakery Cafe’s unsurpassed quality and brand leadership.”

“We have known and respected Roz for years, as both a competitor and an industry leader and can’t think of a better partner for this expansion,” said Jim Vinz, Corner Bakery Cafe President and Chief Operating Officer. “For years, we have balanced numerous requests for Corner Bakery Cafe to open in non-traditional venues with our commitment to maintain our high standards of freshly prepared, innovative foods. With PhaseNext Hospitality, we are thrilled to have a partner with this same commitment to quality.”

Known for its innovative menu featuring a wide variety of made-to-order egg scramblers and oatmeals for breakfast, flavorful sandwiches, savory panini, hot soups and signature salads for lunch and dinner, fresh baked goods for dessert and an extensive catering menu, Corner Bakery Cafe has been delighting guests nationwide with fresh, handcrafted selections in a welcoming and cozy atmosphere for over 18 years. Guests can also stay connected with free Wi-Fi.

From a small bread bakery on a corner in downtown Chicago to a national cornerstone of fast casual dining, Corner Bakery Cafe opened its first location in 1991 and now operates more than 115 locations across the country. In October 2006, CBC Restaurant Corp. launched a strategic franchise development program. One of the most competitive in the industry, the program is designed to attract potential franchise partners who have relevant multi-unit restaurant experience and have received “best-in-class” recognition within the industry. PhaseNext Hospitality marks CBC Restaurant Corp.’s ninth franchise partnership, bringing the total of committed franchise locations to 125, more than doubling the current Corner Bakery Cafe system.

About Corner Bakery Cafe

Corner Bakery Cafe is a fast casual restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to guests in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Jackson, Miss., Los Angeles/Orange County, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego and Washington D.C. Established in 1991, Corner Bakery Cafe restaurants are owned and operated by CBC Restaurant Corp. with more than 115 company-owned and franchised locations around the country.

Founded on a philosophy of creating a place for people to relax and gather with family and friends, Corner Bakery Cafe offers a casual atmosphere featuring innovative, seasonal menu options ranging from hot breakfasts and signature panini to handcrafted salads, sandwiches and mouthwatering sweets. Recognized by Health Magazine as one of 2009’s healthiest quick-serve chains, and Parents magazine as one of the best fast casual dining experiences for families with young children, Corner Bakery Cafe offers dine-in, to-go and catering service for any occasion. Corner Bakery Cafe delivers a premier bakery cafe experience in the heart of neighborhoods everywhere. For more information, visit www.cornerbakerycafe.com, become a fan of the Corner Bakery Cafe Facebook page, or follow Corner Bakery Cafe on Twitter @cornerbakery.

About PhaseNext Hospitality

PhaseNext Hospitality's leadership team brings over 50 years of combined restaurant experience with an emphasis in hospitality, operations, franchising and non-traditional joint ventures. Roz Mallet, the Treasurer of the National Restaurant Association, has an impressive track record including positions such as President and Interim CEO of Caribou Coffee, Chief Operating Officer for la Madeleine Bakery/Cafe, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Carlson Companies and Senior Vice President of Human Resources for TGI Friday's. Co-founder Amy O'Neil was most recently Senior Vice President of Operations for Caribou Coffee. During her 15 years with the company she was an integral part of growing the business from 5 locations to 500.

PhaseNext Hospitality, founded by Roz Mallet and Amy O'Neil, is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The PhaseNext Hospitality restaurant portfolio currently includes both Corner Bakery Café and Smashburger.

Cohn & Wolfe for Corner Bakery Cafe
Katie Eisenhart, 512-542-2805
Katie.Eisenhart@cohnwolfe.com
or
Corner Bakery Cafe
Diana Hovey, 214-734-6600
Diana.hovey@cornerbakerycafe.com
or
PhaseNext Hospitality
Media, 972-624-1043
inquiries@phasenexthospitality.com