Thursday, February 23, 2006

Heartland Food Corp. Purchases

Nineteen Illinois Burger King Restaurants

Downers Grove, IL - Heartland Food Corp., based in Downers Grove, IL, and multi-unit franchisee of Burger King restaurants, announced today that it has acquired 19 restaurants in Northeastern Illinois. The company paid an undisclosed sum to Reishus for the rights to own and operate two Burger King restaurants in Joliet, as well as one restaurant each in Elmhurst, Lombard, Aurora, Naperville, Shorewood, Lockport, Blue Island, Tinley Park, Chicago Ridge, Burbank, Dixon, Princeton, Oglesby, Wenona, Streator, Marseilles and Bradley.

According to Jeff Rogers, CEO of Heartland Food Corp., "It is our plan to invest substantially in these facilities in immediate remodeling, service system and employee training program upgrades, as well as focusing on an improved overall dining experience in these restaurants." Rogers said, "The 570 employees of our new stores are excited about the opportunity to have the financial and operating support needed to reach their full potential. These units fit well in our organization, as we currently own and operate approximately 105 additional Burger Kings in this part of the state."

Steve Wiborg, COO of Heartland Food Corp., added, "We are excited about the future potential of the restaurants in this area. Our goal is to train our employees, and give them the tools we need. We intend to successfully revitalize facilities, marketing, and service techniques to earn back the strong customer base these Burger Kings once had; just as we have accomplished in our other markets."

Heartland Food Corp. operates a total of 249 Burger King units in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, and North and South Carolina. The Burger King Chain recognized Heartland Food Corp. as one of the preeminent franchisees in their system, winning the Brand Leadership Award for 2005.

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