TORONTO—May 2, 2002—On May 2, 2002, Auntie Anne’s Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels is rolling its way into Canada, as it launches its first store in the Canadian market at Scarborough Town Centre. With over 700 locations in the U.S and around the world, this will be the first of four Canadian stores set to open in Ontario this year. “We have wanted to bring Auntie Anne’s to Canada for some time now,” says Michael Cox, President and CEO of Long Pond Ventures, L.L.C. “We’re thrilled Canadians will finally be able to enjoy Auntie Anne’s pretzels.”

Franchising since 1989, Auntie Anne’s expanded into the international market, with its first opening in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1995. The expansion of Auntie Anne’s into Canada is the result of a joint venture between Auntie Anne’s Inc. and Long Pond Food Services, ULC, a Canadian registered corporation. Long Pond will hold an exclusive license to own and operate Auntie Anne’s Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels across Canada.

Over 20 stores are set to open across Ontario by 2005 and plans for expansion in Western provinces and in the Maritimes are being explored. “This is an exciting opportunity for us to be able to bring Auntie Anne’s Pretzels to Canada,” says Cox. “We believe that America’s favorite pretzel will soon become Canada’s favorite pretzel too.”