It's a Great Day for Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream in Rhode Island; Introducing 'Smooth and Creamy' Expansion Plans for Passionate Entrepreneurs

NEWPORT, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 2005--Cold Stone Creamery, the fastest growing ice cream franchise in the nation, today announced development plans for expanding franchise operations in Rhode Island. The company currently has one store open in Newport, and currently has another three stores awarded in the Ocean State. Cold Stone Creamery has plans to open two stores in 2005 and 12 additional Rhode Island stores are projected to open in the next three to five years.

"We're delighted to bring our smooth and creamy ice cream to Rhode Island," commented Cold Stone Creamery Area Developer Steve Brewster. "Our current store has been extremely well received by the people of Newport and we're looking to give more ice cream lovers in the area a chance to indulge in The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience."

“Our current store has been extremely well received by the people of Newport and we're looking to give more ice cream lovers in the area a chance to indulge in The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience.”

The company is hosting an informational seminar on April 27 at the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina to educate local investors of the unique entrepreneurial opportunity. Entrepreneurs and investors passionate about ice cream are encouraged to contact Cold Stone Creamery Area Developer Steve Brewster at 201-575-0766. Space is limited and reservations are required to attend.

The company's proven formula is a key contributor to a bite out of the $20 billion ice cream industry. Boasting $405,000 in annualized average unit volume, the highest of any super-premium ice cream concept, Cold Stone Creamery 2004 system-wide revenues exceeded $283 million, up 86 percent from $156 million in 2003.

Cold Stone Creamery continues to set new growth records and maintain its position as the nation's fastest growing super-premium ice cream concept. Ranked No. 12 in Entrepreneur magazine's "Fastest Growing Franchises in America" (January 2005), and No. 4 in Restaurant Business magazine's "Top 50 Growth Chains" (July 2004), Cold Stone Creamery's potential has been realized by a surge of entrepreneurs eager to open their own Cold Stone Creamery franchises. In 2004, Cold Stone Creamery opened 362 new stores and has another 414 slated to open in 2005.

About Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone Creamery aims to deliver The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience(R), and this vision is carried through by a community of franchisees passionate about ice cream. The secret recipe for smooth and creamy ice cream is handcrafted fresh daily in each store, and then customized by combining a variety of mix-ins on a frozen granite stone. With nearly 1,000 stores from coast to coast, Cold Stone Creamery currently operates in 47 states including Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Guam. Cold Stone Creamery is an independently owned franchise system, headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz. For more information about Cold Stone Creamery, visit the company's Web site at www.coldstonecreamery.com.