Report illustrates players in this popular, rapidly growing segment of the fast casual industry

GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Jazzman's Cafe and Bakery, the largest and most-popular restaurant concept from Sodexo's retail restaurant development team, Retail Brand Group, has been named a "Top 25 Bakery Cafe Chain" by Technomic Information Services. Jazzman's ranking is ninth in the overall listing of top chains and third in the total number of cafe units in the United States.

Jazzman's was evaluated by Technomic based on total sales and total units in 2008. With more than 200 locations nationwide, Jazzman's Cafe has become a daily part of life at college campuses, hospitals and corporate environments. The brand, which is currently celebrating its ten-year anniversary, is also a past winner of the Nation's Restaurant News "Hot Concepts!" Award.

"Having just celebrated our 10-year anniversary, this designation from Technomic is the 'icing on our birthday cake,'" says Husein Kitabwalla, president, Retail Brand Group. "It's a culmination of perfecting Jazzman's core values of fresh baked goods, sustainable specialty coffee, freshly-prepared food, and above all connecting with our guests to build lasting relationships."

Jazzman's Cafe and Bakery's year-long anniversary celebration includes the introduction of the Jazzman's Perks card, a guest appreciation program, and a special 10th anniversary coffee roast, sourced responsibly from Ethiopia. System-wide sales at Jazzman's are up 10%, and the chain has posted double digit unit growth this year.

Technomic, considered the authority on restaurant performance, trends and forecasts, provides rankings, analysis and profiles of the leading bakery cafe chain restaurants to illustrate emerging trends and players in this growing segment.  According to Technomic, U.S. systemwide sales for the bakery cafe industry increased 12% to more than $4.5 billion in 2008.

Retail Brand Group

Retail Brand Group is a comprehensive portfolio of distinctive restaurant brands, including award-winning concepts Jazzman's Cafe and Pandini's. With the experience of more than 575 locations nationwide, Retail Brand Group has branded solutions suited for virtually any venue.  From bistros and coffeehouses to upscale pizza, gourmet burgers and authentic ethnic cuisine, Retail Brand Group turns dining into a memorable event. www.retailbrandgroup.com

Sodexo, Inc.

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), a member of Sodexo Group, is a leading provider of Comprehensive Service Solutions serving more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care, retirement, schools, higher education, government and remote sites. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., Sodexo, Inc. operates in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. Sodexo Group (www.sodexo.com), founded in 1966, employs 380,000 people who serve 50 million people daily in 80 countries. The Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org) is an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $12.7 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.

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