If NASA Finds Conclusive Evidence of an Ocean on Mars, America Eats Free Giant Shrimp

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2004--Long John Silver's First to Capitalize on Mars Exploration with Out-of-This-World Offer, Sets Sights on First Seafood Restaurant on Mars

      NASA's Top Mars Exploration Scientists to Validate Findings

Long John Silver's announced today that it will give America free Giant Shrimp if NASA's Mars Exploration Rover project finds conclusive evidence of an ocean on Mars by February 29, 2004. The out-of-this-world offer from the world's most popular seafood chain celebrates NASA's efforts to find traces of ocean water -- and possibly, evidence of life -- on Mars.

“We have closely followed NASA's recent exploration of Mars and all of us are rooting you on to find ocean water on the Red Planet”

Steve Davis, President of Long John Silver's, Inc., sent a letter to NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe, expressing support for NASA's efforts to find conclusive evidence of an ocean on Mars. In addition, Davis announced plans to provide free Giant Shrimp to America if conclusive evidence of an ocean is found.

"We have closely followed NASA's recent exploration of Mars and all of us are rooting you on to find ocean water on the Red Planet," Davis wrote. "The 'Free Giant Shrimp' offer is our way of saying NASA's exploration of Mars and the discovery of ocean water would be 'one small step for man, one giant leap for seafood.'"

In the letter, Davis also officially registered interest in Long John Silver's becoming the first seafood restaurant on Mars. "It's not a matter of 'if,' it's just a matter of 'when' human beings are able to live permanently on Mars. Long John Silver's mission is to feed people with delicious seafood wherever they are -- on earth or even outer space."

"We are strongly behind NASA's efforts to find conclusive evidence of an ocean on Mars for two reasons," said Mike Baker, Chief Marketing Officer for Long John Silver's, Inc. "As Americans, we're proud of NASA's exploration of space; as the world's most popular quick-service seafood chain, we get excited about ocean water, wherever it is. If there's ocean water on Mars, that would be giant news. And giant news calls for Giant Shrimp!"

Long John Silver's new Giant Shrimp are huge, measuring nearly a half-foot long. "Our new Giant Shrimp are so big, they're really 'out of this world,'" said Baker.

Consumers can buy the new Giant Shrimp at the chain's more than 1,250 restaurants beginning February 16, 2004. If NASA announces the discovery of conclusive evidence of an ocean on Mars prior to February 29, 2004, America gets free Giant Shrimp at participating Long John Silver's restaurants on Monday, March 15, 2004, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Baker and his team are closely monitoring the progress of the Mars Exploration Rover "Spirit," which has already begun its quest to find evidence of ocean water on Earth's celestial next-door neighbor.

The company will rely on top scientific experts leading NASA's Athena Science Payload Investigation team to ultimately provide an official declaration if conclusive evidence of an ocean has been found on Mars. Long John Silver's will look to the team's Principal Investigator Steven Squyres and Deputy Principal Investigator Ray Arvidson to provide official news on NASA's Mars exploration web site at http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov.

In addition, consumers can find updates on NASA's progress and join in the hunt for ocean water on Mars by visiting www.ljsilvers.com.

Long John Silver's has purchased an insurance policy to cover the anticipated cost of the free Giant Shrimp redemption, should NASA announce the discovery of conclusive evidence of an ocean on Mars between now and February 29, 2004. In the event NASA makes an official announcement that conclusive evidence of an ocean has been discovered on Mars prior to that date, every person in the U.S. will have an opportunity to obtain one free Giant Shrimp at participating Long John Silver's restaurants in the United States. Redemption will take place on Monday, March 15, 2004, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Additional information and offer details will be made available to consumers on the Long John Silver's web site and in press materials, should this event occur.

For purposes of Long John Silver's offer, an ocean is defined as a single body of water, the surface area of which equals or exceeds five million square kilometers. See official rules at www.ljsilvers.com for details.

Long John Silver's, Inc. based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the world's most popular quick-service seafood chain specializing in a variety of seafood items including batter-dipped fish, chicken, shrimp and hushpuppies. Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's classic Treasure Island, Long John Silver's, Inc. was founded in 1969 in response to growing consumer demand for quick-service seafood. Today, there are more than 1,250 Long John Silver's, Inc. restaurants worldwide serving nearly four million customers each week. Long John Silver's, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE:YUM) the world's largest restaurant company in terms of system units with approximately 33,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and territories. The Long John Silver's web site is www.ljsilvers.com.