U-SWIRL:
U-Swirl, Inc. to Expand International Franchising Activities Into Canada
By: U-SWIRL | 2 Shares 67 Reads
DURANGO, CO - (Marketwired - Dec 4, 2014) - U-Swirl, Inc. (OTCQB: SWRL) (the "Company"), which through its U-Swirl International, Inc. subsidiary franchises/operates self-serve frozen yogurt stores in 38 states and 4 foreign countries, today announced a further expansion of its international franchising activities with the signing of a Master Licensing Agreement for its CherryBerry frozen yogurt brand in the Canadian Province of British Columbia.
U-Swirl, Inc. is a controlled subsidiary of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. ("RMCF") (NASDAQ: RMCF).
"We are delighted to announce the continued expansion of our international franchising operations with the signing of a Master License Agreement with strategic partners in the Province of British Columbia," noted Greg Pope, Sr. Vice President of Franchise Development for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. "We believe the integration of U-Swirl International, Inc. franchise development activities with the franchise marketing and support resources available from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. played a key role in the closing of this transaction."
"The first CherryBerry store in British Columbia is expected to open in the late spring of 2015, and the Master License Agreement anticipates the opening of at least 20 stores over a ten-year period. We continue to evaluate self-serve frozen yogurt and co-branded licensing opportunities in a number of additional countries and expect international activities to play a significant role in our growth in coming years," concluded Pope.
With a population of approximately 4.6 million people, British Columbia is the third most populated province in Canada. The majority of its population is concentrated in and around the Vancouver metropolitan area.
About U-Swirl, Inc.
U-Swirl, Inc. is an operator and franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés that operate under the following names: U-SWIRL Frozen Yogurt, CherryBerry, Yogurtini, Fuzzy Peach, Aspen Leaf Yogurt, Yogli Mogli, Gracie Bleu, and Josie's Frozen Yogurt. The cafés offer frozen yogurt in up to 20 non-fat and low-fat flavors, including tart, traditional, and no-sugar-added options, along with fresh sorbet. Approximately 70 toppings such as fresh fruit, sauces, candies, and granola are available to customize each serving of yogurt to the customer's individual taste.
In January 2013, the Company acquired frozen yogurt café assets, franchise rights and certain other assets from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., primarily in exchange for certain warrants/options, notes payable, and a controlling ownership interest in the Company.
U-Swirl, Inc. is headquartered in Durango, Colorado, and its common stock trades on the OTCQB under the symbol "SWRL." As of October 14, 2014, the Company and its franchisees operated 288 self-serve frozen yogurt cafés in 38 states and 4 foreign countries.
About Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., headquartered in Durango, Colorado, is an international franchiser of gourmet chocolate, confection and self-serve frozen yogurt stores and a manufacturer of an extensive line of premium chocolates and other confectionery products. As of October 14, 2014, the Company, its U-Swirl, Inc. subsidiary and franchisees operate over 642 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and self-serve frozen yogurt stores in 42 states, Canada, Japan, South Korea, The United Arab Emirates, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey.
The Company's common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "RMCF." The common stock of U-Swirl, Inc. trades on the OTCQB market under the symbol "SWRL."
Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements." These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information. Risks and uncertainties that could cause cash flows to decrease or actual results to differ materially include, without limitation, seasonality, consumer interest in the Company's products, general economic conditions, consumer and retail trends, costs and availability of raw materials, competition, market conditions, the success of our licensees in international markets, including but not limited to new store openings, reception of our brand in new markets, international laws and regulations, the ability to secure international trademarks, availability of viable locations and other risks and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Readers are referred to the Company's periodic reports filed with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The information contained in this press release is a statement of the Company's present intentions, beliefs or expectations and is based upon, among other things, the existing business environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices, the economy in general and the Company's assumptions. The Company may change its intentions, beliefs or expectations at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in its assumptions or otherwise, and it undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this press release should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that the Company or persons acting on its behalf may issue.
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U-Swirl, Inc.
U-SWIRL
U-Swirl, Inc. is an operator and franchisor of self-serve frozen yogurt cafés that operate under the following names: U-SWIRL Frozen Yogurt, CherryBerry, Yogurtini, Fuzzy Peach, Aspen Leaf Yogurt, Yogli Mogli, Gracie Bleu, and Josie's Frozen Yogurt