NexCen Brands Acquires the Great American Cookie Company(R) From Mrs. Fields Famous Brands

2008-01-30
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  • Restaurant News Resource Acquisition Will Bolster NexCen's Quick Service Restaurant Operating Segment And Increases Franchise Locations From, 1,600 To 1,900

    NexCen Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:NEXC) ("NexCen") announced today that it has acquired the Great American Cookie Company ("Great American Cookies") from Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, LLC ("Mrs. Fields"). The purchase price of the transaction is $93.7 million, and consists of approximately $89.0 million of cash and NexCen common stock valued at approximately $4.7 million. This transaction adds another premium treat brand to the four brands in NexCen's quick service restaurant (QSR) portfolio, which include the premium, hand-mixed ice cream chains MaggieMoo's and Marble Slab Creamery, as well as the hand-rolled pretzel chains Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker. The Great American Cookies acquisition marks the ninth brand added to NexCen Brands portfolio and increases its franchise locations from 1,600 to 1,900 locations worldwide.

    Founded in 1977, the Great American Cookie Company provides cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and smoothies to a diverse and loyal customer base. The company has demonstrated more than 30 years of consistent growth and is the number one mall-based cookie system in the United States. As of December 31, 2007, Great American Cookies had nearly 300 franchised units primarily located in the continental United States.

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    Commenting on the acquisition, Robert W. D'Loren, President and CEO of NexCen, stated, "Great American Cookies is a great opportunity for us to enter the cookie business with a premium cookie brand that has grown consistently over the years. The brand is representative of the acquisition opportunities NexCen has targeted to grow our QSR segment and to increase sales in our existing ice cream and pretzel concepts. The addition of this brand to our QSR portfolio provides NexCen with nearly 300 additional doors for the delivery of quality treat products, and broadens our franchise offering for interested franchisees, both domestically and internationally."

    Stephen Russo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mrs. Fields, added, "NexCen Brands' acquisition of Great American Cookies will enable Mrs. Fields to focus on our core business strategy, with the comfort and belief that NexCen's franchise model will continue to build this brand. We are exploring opportunities to make additional investments in our brands in accordance with our indenture requirements, and are pleased with our progress to date."

    For a portion of the purchase price, NexCen accessed its debt facility with BTMU Capital Corporation, which was increased from $150 million to $181 million. Theodore J. Gaffney, Executive Vice President of BTMU Capital Corporation, commented: "We are pleased with our relationship with NexCen Brands and its recent business activities. Our facility has continued to allow NexCen to finance its acquisitions under the terms of the master loan agreement and build a well diversified pool of assets."

    For the 12 months ended December 31, 2007, aggregate pro forma unaudited revenues and operating income for the Great American Cookie Company were approximately $26 million and $13 million, respectively. NexCen expects this transaction to be accretive beginning in 2008. Forward twelve months revenues and operating income are expected to be $27 million and $14 million, respectively.

    Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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