Concept Was One of the First Franchised Chains in Fast Casual Pan Asian Segment

Stephen MacManus Joins Murphy Adams as Chief Operations Officer

For Immediate Release:

Media Contact:
Heather Graham
Trevelino/Keller Communications Group
hgraham@trevelinokeller.com
404-214-0722 ext. 103

Atlanta, Ga. - March 12, 2008 - Mama Fu's Noodle House announces today that it has sold its Mama Fu's Asian House brand in the United States and Mexico for an undisclosed amount to Austin, Texas-based Murphy Adams Restaurant Group, currently the largest franchisee of Mama Fu's.    

There are 17 Mama Fu's restaurants in the United States, five of which are owned by Murphy Adams, who also have a sixth restaurant in development. Randy Murphy, President & CEO of Murphy Adams, said, "We have seen the potential of Mama Fu's first hand and look forward to building on the existing brand equity and creating a successful franchise system in the United States and Mexico to replicate our success." Murphy, who became a Mama Fu's franchisee in 2004, continued saying, "The broad appeal of Pan Asian flavors, the quality commitment that comes with wok cooking, and the positioning of fast-casual restaurants for today's time starved consumers make Mama Fu's a great restaurant growth opportunity." 

"Murphy Adams Restaurant Group has been an exceptional franchisee for Mama Fu's because they have been patient and methodical with their real estate selections, build-out and market entry," explains Bill McCaffrey, Vice President and Brand Leader for Mama Fu's. "We made the decision last year that we would welcome the right people to come in and lead this great concept which has the ability to evolve regionally, nationally and internationally in Mexico. The current set of franchisees in the United States will do well under the leadership of Murphy Adams."

"What makes Mama Fu's special is its ability to create a loyal fan base of customers with a menu that has such broad appeal, which is what we have done successfully in Austin. We see opportunities to elevate our strategies for marketing, staffing and real estate going forward," says Mark Adams, General Partner with Murphy Adams. "This brand will receive our full attention and we will seek future franchisees that recognize Mama Fu's as a sophisticated fast casual concept with high growth potential." 

In support of its growth plans, Murphy Adams has added industry executive Stephen MacManus as Chief Operations Officer. MacManus brings significant domestic and international multi-unit restaurant franchise experience to Murphy Adams having served as COO of Johnny Carino's Italian Restaurants (Fired Up, Inc.), growing the chain from five restaurants to over 120 locations. Prior to Johnny Carino's he held corporate and franchise operations director positions within Brinker International which included the franchise growth of Chili's Grill and Bar and Spageddies Italian Kitchen in Australia and the Pacific Rim.

 About Mama Fu’s Asian House:

Mama Fu's is the neighborhood restaurant that offers something different: a fast, friendly Asian food experience where unique flavors are freshly prepared from quality ingredients and served in a welcoming, comfortable setting. Mama Fu's offers great tasting, quality Asian food you can trust. Mama Fu's was a Nation's Restaurant News NRN 50 Fast Casual Concept for 2005.  For more information, visit the company’s web site at http://www.mamafus.com/.

About Murphy Adams Restaurant Group:

Murphy Adams Restaurant Group ("Murphy Adams") owns, operates and is the franchisor for Mama Fu's Asian House Restaurants. A partnership between entrepreneurial restaurateurs Randy Murphy and Mark Adams, Murphy Adams was once the largest franchisee for Mama Fu's, and is now focused on growing the brand with franchisees throughout the southeast and southwestern United States. Murphy Adams currently operates Mama Fu's restaurants in central Texas, northwest Arkansas, and south Florida.