go2®, the world’s first wireless location-based
directory and information services platform, today announced an agreement with Blimpie®
International Inc. (AMEX:BLM), the world’s largest, publicly traded submarine sandwich
franchiser.
Blimpie has listed its more than 1,900 franchised U.S. outlets with go2, creating wireless brand
awareness and providing comprehensive, real-time information to existing and new Blimpie
customers using mobile devices. Blimpie is the first sub sandwich quick service restaurant
franchise to sign with go2.
go2 has integrated Blimpie restaurant information with go2’s mobile yellow page products for
distribution over multiple wireless platforms and devices. By virtue of its patented technology and
agreements with most major North American carriers, go2 provides a unique, nearly universal
platform across cell phones, pagers and PDAs, providing Blimpie unparalleled wireless outreach
to customers.
Blimpie has signed up for core go2 services, including premium online and wireless listings in
their own dedicated site, www.go2blimpie.com, and top search categories such as catering and
sandwiches. When available, Blimpie will also utilize go2’s merchant extranet to update their
location data and to create special promotions and discounts.
“Blimpie is pleased to be extending our brand into this new medium,” said Joe Morgan, group
president of Blimpie Subs & Salads and Pasta Central. “go2 provides a cost-effective, easy-to-use
avenue for our customers to find our restaurants when they’re ready to order.”
go2 has distribution agreements with most major North American carriers, including Verizon
Wireless, Sprint PCS, AT&T, Nextel, Cingular, Bell Mobility and Telus/Clearnet. go2 can also be
accessed through pager and PDA networks such as Omnisky, yadayada and Palm. go2’s patented
system is focused on the delivery of two key drivers of mobile usage: ease-of-use and accurate,
and timely information.
The real-time location and information data for go2’s growing base of blue-chip customers
includes promotions, coupons and specials designed to save users time and money and to help
drive motivated consumers to go2’s merchant partners. Customers already using go2’s systems
include major U.S. companies such as worldwide brand Coca-Cola, Jiffy Lube, Ramada, House of
Blues, Jamba Juice and Cinnabon.
“Blimpie is a large, popular retailer with excellent brand recognition among its loyal customers
and the general public,” said go2 president and CEO Lee Hancock.
“We are pleased to help translate that brand awareness into increased traffic and sales for
Blimpie franchisees and, at the same time, increase customer satisfaction by making it easier for
them to find the closest Blimpie from wherever they are.”
Blimpie International franchises and licenses Blimpie Subs & Salads, an international chain of quick-service sandwich locations, and
a family of complementary trademarks and marketing concepts globally.
Since opening the first Blimpie restaurant in Hoboken, N.J., in 1964, Blimpie International has become the franchiser of a chain with
approximately 2,000 outlets in the United States and 15 foreign countries. Traditional Blimpie restaurants are located in shopping
centers, malls, freestanding buildings, and downtown markets.
New concept locations include convenience stores, gas station food marts, colleges, office complexes, hospitals, and sports arenas.
New distribution formats include “Grab ‘n GO” refrigeration cases, carts, kiosks and vending machines.
