Each Central Texas Smashburger will feature a regional menu created with regional flavors and tastes in mind. The Temple menu includes: The Texas Burger, served with crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, pickles, and red onion, and dressed within yellow mustard. It will also include the Texas Dog, a 100 percent Angus Beef hot dog dressed with pepperjack cheese, creamy guacamole, fresh jalapenos, spicy chipotle sauce, tomato, and onion. As a regional side item, the Temple store will offer fried jalapeno spears with buttermilk ranch dressing.

“Smashburger has a unique spot in the industry,” says Smashburger Founder and Chief Concept Officer Tom Ryan. “We have created a union of top-quality ingredients, loving preparation, and friendly service that we hope Temple will agree is unparalleled.”

At Smashburger, the secret is in the smash. They start with 100-percent-fresh, never frozen, Certified Angus Beef and smash it on a 400 degree flat grill to sear in the juicy flavor. To further the “better burger” experience, they are served on a toasted artisan bun and topped with a selection of the freshest produce, real cheeses, and highest-quality condiments.

Smashburger is known for its delicious burgers, but customers can also enjoy a selection of tender marinated grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, grilled and split hot dogs, and fresh tossed signature salads, along with a variety of irresistible sides including rosemary and garlic-seasoned Smashfries, fried pickles, Haystack Onions, and Veggie Frites (flash-fried and seasoned asparagus spears, carrot sticks and green beans). The restaurant will also serve a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including local beers, wine, hand-spun Haagen-Dazs shakes and IBC(R) root-beer floats in frosted mugs.

“We are thrilled to bring our business to Central Texas, starting in Temple,” says David Prokupek, Chairman and CEO of Smashburger. “We believe the Texmash franchise group will be great partners in helping the area come to love the excellent food and service Smashburger offers.”

“Temple is an exciting place for us to bring the Smashburger brand,” says Manish Agrawal, Managing Partner of Texmash Holdings LLC. “We see Temple as a thriving city with a lot of competitive growth in the fast-casual segment. Residents here have many choices for a high-quality quick meal, but we hope to stand out. Smashburger wants to be every city’s favorite place for burgers, and we aim to earn that respect in Temple with our great food and astoundingly friendly service.”

About Smashburger:

Smashburger is the country’s fastest growing, fast casual “better burger” restaurant. Its hand-crafted burgers are made with fresh, never frozen, 100 percent Certified Angus Beef, that are “smashed,” seared and seasoned on the grill to juicy perfection for every individual order. Guests can create their own burger masterpiece or enjoy one of Smashburger’s innovative signature recipes, including a unique burger for every local market that highlights the distinctive flavors of that region.

Smashburger also serves tender marinated grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, grilled and split hot dogs, freshly prepared entree salads, kids meals, hand-spun Haagen-Dazs shakes and an array of signature sides. Developed and owned by private equity firm Consumer Capital Partners (CCP), Smashburger operates and develops both corporate and multi-unit franchise territories across the country with 140 restaurants nationwide. Smashburger topped the Forbes Most Promising Company list in 2011 and was also named to the 2011 Inc. 500 list. It is the recipient of the International Council of Shopping Centers 2011 Hot Retailer Award. To learn more, visit www.smashburger.com .

About Consumer Capital Partners:

Denver-based Consumer Capital Partners (CCP) is an innovative private investment and concept development firm focused on multi-unit retail businesses, primarily in the restaurant industry. CCP has deep experience in the fields of private equity, brand, concept and product development and strategic consulting. To learn more about CCP, please visit www.consumercp.com .

“XT46 is designed like the ultimate training apparel being used by the experts, our U.S. military, on a daily basis,” explains Ken Spires, President of M.J. Soffe. “Through XT46, Soffe takes the kind of performance gear used by our all-American heroes and makes it available for the first time to all Americans.”

Since 1946, Soffe has been meeting the needs of U.S. troops around the world. The Company currently manufactures training apparel for all branches of the U.S. military and supplies retail locations on military bases throughout the world. The XT46 collection brings this extensive expertise in Special Forces training products to the American consumer for the first time. The collection also highlights Soffe’s support of the Wounded Warrior Project by featuring this worthy cause on the XT46 apparel hangtags.

Soffe is dedicating part of its website, www.soffe.com, to XT46, with training tips, survival guides and video content. Consumers can also visit www.XT46.com for this information.

About M.J. Soffe:
M.J. Soffe, established in 1946, was acquired by Delta Apparel, Inc. in 2003. Delta Apparel, Inc., along with its operating subsidiaries, M. J. Soffe, LLC, Junkfood Clothing Company, To The Game, LLC, Art Gun, LLC and TCX, LLC, is an international design, marketing, manufacturing, and sourcing company that features a diverse portfolio of lifestyle branded activewear apparel and headwear, and high quality private label programs.

The Company specializes in selling casual and athletic products across distribution tiers and in most store types, including specialty stores, boutiques, department stores, mid-tier and mass chains. From a niche distribution standpoint, the Company also has strong distribution at college bookstores and the U.S. military.

Jessicurl is all about providing people with curly hair of all types with high-quality hair products that will instill confidence. The company’s motto: “You have the right to remain curly.”

“For the longest time I thought I had straight hair,” explains one Jessicurl product user. “However, one day I learned that I actually had wavy hair and that I could save a lot of time on blow drying and using a flat iron. I tried Jessicurl products and quickly discovered a freedom that I had no idea existed. I now save about 40 minutes per day on my hair and I have discovered what it means to embrace my natural curls; it’s so freeing.”

McGuinty adds that, “These curly hair products are not just about making curly hair look good, they are about embracing a lifestyle.”

About Jessicurl:
Jessicurl offers cleansing, conditioning and styling products. None of its products are tested on animals; they are cruelty-free and vegan. Each ingredient in every Jessicurl product promises to have a positive effect on hair – there are no fillers such as sulfates or silicones. Jessicurl stands on the premise that when it comes to ingredients – less is more.

Jessicurl recognizes that everyone is unique. Everyone has a different hair type, texture and curl patterns. However, the common denominator is that everyone has a desire to have naturally beautiful curls and quality products to use on them.

Jessicurl products are available in stores all over the world. For more information, visit: www.jessicurl.com .

Much controversy surrounds this Florida law. Civil rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have even stepped in to voice their opinion. Additionally, a San Francisco musician, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, was recently booted off Southwest Airlines because his pants were hanging too low.

“Sagging has been greeted with such strong disapproval,” says Chris Gladin, vice president of sales and marketing for DukeXXX. “Some towns and cities across the country have already outlawed it and some states are taking Florida’s lead to try and institute a similar state-wide law. This is why we wanted to provide an alternative for saggers. DukeXXX ‘upholds’ freedom of choice, so to speak.”

With DukeXXX clothing, the boxers are sewn into the black, denim shorts; they are both attached into one piece of clothing. So, are the wearers of these shorts breaking any laws? Gladin, who claims a Ph.D in business, doesn’t think so.

“At DukeXXX, we believe that people should maintain the right to express themselves through their personal choice of clothing style,” says Gladin. “It seems that lawmakers should be focusing on more important issues like healthcare, the economy and the environment. Wearing sagging pants should not make the list.”

All clothing items are custom made with an urban design that resembles a cityscape. High school and college kids, skateboarders, surfers, city dwellers, guys and girls, and yes, even well-known musicians will all find something to strut their stuff in. Gladin adds that these items are not “off the rack.” They are hand sewn, high-quality clothing products made of 100 percent cotton.

Currently, DukeXXX offers clothing for guys and girls that include: shorts; bandanas; and T-shirts. DUKEXXX clothing is currently available at: www.dukexxx.com .

“Prestige Imports is excited to be utilizing the Penthouse brand in connection with these new and innovative libido shots,” says Tom Cleaver, Director of Marketing for Prestige Imports, LLC. “Recent IRI data shows an impressive increase in retail sales in the new sexual enhancement segment by 57.7 percent over the last 52 weeks in North America, to roughly a $20 billion category. With our expertise in the food and beverage industry and the reputation and global reach of the Penthouse brand, we believe this is a winning combination for these sexual wellness products.”

Amanda Byrd, Director of Licensing for the Penthouse brand, says, “Penthouse is a brand synonymous with sexual well-being and this product is an ideal branding opportunity for us. We are very excited for the upcoming launch!”

The Penthouse libido shots are scheduled to be available nation-wide beginning in July 2011. For more information on Per4mance Shots by Penthouse and Pleasure Shots by Penthouse, or to locate a retailer, please visit www.PenthouseShots.com .

About Prestige Imports, LLC:
Prestige Imports, LLC is an international Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) importer, exporter and brand owner. All of the brands owned, imported, or distributed by Prestige Imports, LLC are exclusive, unique and high margin spirits marketed with integrity and passion for responsibility and worldwide appeal. Prestige Imports LLC was built on offering the highest quality products with competitively high margin percentages. The mission of our company is to continue building our national network of distributors to sell, market, support and promote our highly desired products. The national network’s portfolio includes premium spirits, beers, and other alcoholic beverages.

About Penthouse:
Penthouse is a globally recognized premier adult entertainment and lifestyle brand of General Media Communications, Inc.

He added, “This strategic partnership with CMI allows us to gather ongoing customer feedback about positive shopping experiences and any suggestions for improvements, all aimed at becoming a more compelling place to shop.”

As a result of this program, Family Dollar will have a clear understanding of the main drivers of shopper satisfaction and be able to measure the impact of initiatives. The information collected through this program will be particularly useful as the company continues to roll out its current store renovation plans more extensively in 2011.

“We are happy to be helping Family Dollar continue to advance their mission to be the leading small-format convenience and value retailer in the nation,” said Chet Zalesky, president and founder of CMI.

Family Dollar’s reporting will be provided through CMI’s Web Insights Navigator(TM) (WIN) system to easily customize reporting to various levels and departments within the Family Dollar organization. In addition, Family Dollar management will be able to track the impact of store renovations on the shopping experience by monitoring satisfaction levels pre and post renovation.

This new association with Family Dollar expands CMI’s presence in the retail industry. CMI has helped numerous retail clients understand their shopping experience across sales channels.

About Family Dollar:

Beginning with one store in 1959 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Company currently operates more than 6,800 stores in 44 states. Family Dollar Stores, Inc., a Fortune 300 company, is based in Matthews, North Carolina, just outside of Charlotte and is a publicly held company with common stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FDO. For more information, please visit www.familydollar.com .

About CMI:
CMI is a full-service marketing research company that creates competitive advantages for clients by turning research data into strategic insights and recommendations that drive business results. Since 1989, CMI has delivered unique solutions to uncover opportunities, optimize marketing strategies, and improve performance for clients in consumer and B2B markets. CMI’s experienced team of market research consultants leverages a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods and technologies to help clients align products, services and strategies with customer needs.

CMI serves primarily Fortune 1000 clients and is currently ranked on the Honomichl Top 50 list of the country’s largest marketing research organizations. For more information about CMI, visit www.cmiresearch.com .

Unified chose ESI’s WIN platform as one of its loyalty solutions because of its simplicity, affordability and above all, its focus on the needs of the independent grocer. The WIN program allows independent grocers to identify and reward their best customers without the overwhelming data and cost burdens typically found in loyalty offerings.

“Our loyalty philosophy is simple: focus on those elements which keep the consumer loyal while taking the burden off the grocer,” said Ian Diery, CEO of ESI, “Sometimes too much information is simply too much, and it is our responsibility to provide our partner the optimum amount of information that allows them to maintain a strong consumer focus within a reasonable budget.”

Other Benefits of the WIN Rewards Program:
- The WIN platform is highly customizable, allowing each grocer to pick and choose the features they can afford and is relevant to their business, instead of force-fitting all grocers in the same mold.
- Provides a one-stop shop facility for the independent grocer. ESI offers a wide array of services including POS integration, managing program launch from start to finish, mining consumer insights for clear and actionable recommendations, marketing, and administration for one low monthly fee with no hidden costs.
- Helps grocers develop an online communication platform that not only saves cost but enables better consumer targeting.
- Supports green initiatives by reducing the need for paper.

Unified’s Executive Director of Retail Support Services, Kory Burwell, stated, “In today’s challenging times, the independent grocer needs the right information in order to compete effectively and grow. ESI’s WIN Rewards Program is designed to increase customer loyalty and sales. Undifferentiated discounting has not proven to be effective against large grocery chains that use electronic media for targeted customer marketing. WIN adds tremendous value by bringing to the grocer the technical, marketing, and analytical expertise to compete in today’s economy.”

About Unified Grocers:

Founded in 1922, Unified Grocers, Inc. is a retailer-owned wholesale grocery distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the western United States. Unified and its subsidiaries, which generated approximately $4.1 billion in sales during fiscal 2009, offer independent retailers all the resources they need to compete in the supermarket industry.

About ESI:

Founded in 1999 and based in San Mateo, California, ESI introduced eScrip, an electronic scrip program to provide resources to organizations that support children through member retailers. In 2008, ESI Introduced the WIN Rewards Program to offer a low cost loyalty solution specifically designed for local and regional grocers. ESI currently process over 76 million transactions and $2.5 billion in sales annually. ESI’s board and officers include individuals with diverse backgrounds that include computer technology, banking systems, marketing, accounting, fundraising, and the non-profit sector.

More information: http://www.escrip.com .

Media Bio: Designer Allie Yoko founded White Iguana Apparel Company (wiapparel) with the simple idea of adapting the comfort, skin care, and environmental benefits of bamboo fabric for women and men’s athletic apparel. Now, just a few short years later, we are designing and selling our own line consisting of men’s leggings, women’s leggings, hoodies, men’s athletic shirts, and women’s athletic shirts. These products allow you to protect your sensitive skin from the uncomfortable and chemically treated athletic apparel sold by other brands.

White Iguana Apparel researched various materials before choosing the fabric best suited for soft and comfortable athletic apparel that is hypoallergenic, moisture wicking, and naturally anti-microbial. In using microfiber bamboo fabric, more money is spent on our fabric so you can benefit from the unique features it provides.

White Iguana Apparel’s comfortable performance athletic apparel line ( www.wiapparel.com/store/ ) also protects you from both the heat and the cold. This means there is no need to buy separate products when it’s hot in the summer or cold in the winter. Our White Iguana Apparel will help keep you comfortable in all climates.

Also, to combat the trend of exporting jobs overseas, our athletic apparel is 100 percent made in the USA. White Iguana Apparel leggings, hoodies, and athletic shirts are made with certified bamboo yarn that is made into fabric in the USA and the products are produced in California.

As our story continues we will explain the many benefits of bamboo fabric and the additional measures we have undertaken to do our part in preventing the destruction of the ecosystem in which we live.

Please try our comfortable athletic apparel today and receive a $5 discount by entering coupon code WIAMR upon checkout.

More information: www.wiapparel.com .

PJ’s CEO Scott Ballard says the company is focused on more than just the number of coffee shops they can count. “While we continue to expand across the country, we are committed to remaining a New Orleans company,” says Ballard. “When we acquired the business last year, corporate operations consisted of fewer than 10 employees. Today we have a growing corporate staff of 28 focusing on roasting, franchising, quality control, and retail products. Together we are building and expanding the PJ’s Coffee brand,” adds Ballard.

PJ’s Coffee notes that it is now experiencing steady revenue increases following a period of eight to 10 months when revenues were flat. While so many other industries are experiencing difficulties, the coffee business seems to be holding its own. The company has finalized nearly 20 franchise agreements in the past 18 months, another sign that entrepreneurs believe in the PJ’s brand.

“We work closely with potential and new franchisees to determine viability of the business model and involvement of the owner. Then we provide in-depth training on all aspects of running a PJ’s Coffee business from operating the equipment to following our award-winning recipes, to securing and maintaining adequate financial investment and planning,” says Ballard.

Furthering their commitment to building the brand, the owners of PJ’s Coffee (www.pjscoffee.com) have negotiated a two-year partnership with the New Orleans Saints which includes PJ’s designation as “the Preferred Coffee of the New Orleans Saints.” PJ’s also secured the rights to brand two of the Superdome’s outside air handling units to mimic giant coffee cups, complete with steam rising out of them. The New Orleans Saints and PJ’s Coffee are also working on developing a line of co-branded retail coffees that will be released this November to take advantage of the holiday sales season.

Retail Products:

In addition to growing its franchise operations, PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans is expanding its retail business. The company is currently finalizing plans for a ready to drink beverage and already offers its own PJ’s branded bottled spring water. “We have increased our retail and food offerings within our stores and we are developing other products which should be available soon,” states Ballard.

PJ’s Coffee offers coffee service to offices, restaurants, hospitals and other industries through its subsidiary, New Orleans Roast. The company has expanded this business segment to more than double what it was a year ago. PJ’s Coffee and New Orleans Roast can provide a number of products to its customers such as coffee service, hotel in-room coffee pods, and iced tea brewing products. The company is working on distribution channels to expand coffee service beyond its current service area.

New Orleans Roast gourmet coffees are now available in grocery stores including: Medium Roast, Dark Roast, Coffee & Chickory, and Decaf. 16 oz. (1 lb.) bags of New Orleans Roast are currently available for only $4.99. These coffees are all roasted in the company’s French Quarter facility in the small-batch tradition of the company.

Private Label Roasting:

New Orleans Roast (www.neworleansroast.com) creates private label coffees for customers such as hotels and restaurants that are only available to that client. One recent private label customer is the new Roosevelt Hotel in downtown New Orleans (part of the Waldorf Astoria Collection). PJ’s Coffee Master Roaster, Felton Jones, explains the process. “Initially we bring company representatives to the roasting facility for a tasting,” says Jones. “There we can outline the roasting process and develop a distinct coffee.” Jones says that the secret to maintaining quality is all in the method of roasting its beans in small batches. “That’s the way it was done 31 years ago, and we plan to continue that tradition.”

New Orleans’ Favorite Coffee:

PJ’s Coffee continues to be the favored cup of coffee in New Orleans, receiving readers’ choice awards from New Orleans Magazine (selected reader’s favorite cup of coffee six years and running), Gambit New Orleans, and Where Y’at Magazine. Look for our newest flavored coffee drink, S’Mores, available starting November 14th in all locations. It’s a deliciously flavored roast, with a delectable combination of Ghirardelli chocolate, toasted marshmallows, graham cracker crumbs and whipped cream.

PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans uses hand-selected, premium Arabica beans which are slow-roasted in small batches at its New Orleans roasting facility. PJ’s Coffee was established in 1978 and began franchising in 1995. Today there are 63 PJ’s locations in seven states.

For more information visit www.pjscoffee.com or www.neworleansroast.com .

“We have wanted to have our coffee available in grocery stores for quite some time, and after carefully reworking the business model, New Orleans Roast has developed a line of quality, gourmet coffees that are both delicious and competitively priced,” commented company president Scott Ballard. “Rouses, with its local and regional roots, has turned out to be the perfect partner to launch this new product.”

New Orleans Roast is now available at all 36 Rouses locations. Each location will carry the entire line of New Orleans Roast coffees, including: Medium Roast, Dark Roast, Coffee & Chicory, and Decaf. 16 oz. (1 lb.) bags of New Orleans Roast are currently available for only $4.99.

PJ’s Coffee proudly roasts coffee for hotels, restaurants, hospitals and offices under the name New Orleans Roast. For more information, visit www.neworleansroast.com.

PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans uses hand-selected, premium Arabica beans which are slow-roasted in small batches at its New Orleans roasting facility. PJ’s Coffee was established in 1978 and began franchising in 1995. Today there are 55 PJ’s locations in seven states.

For more information, visit www.pjscoffee.com.