Newly-formed BRIX Holdings, LLC Acquires Smoothie Factory and RedBrick Pizza

DALLAS, May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- BRIX Holdings, LLC, a newly-formed multi brand franchising company, today announced the addition of Smoothie Factory^® and RedBrick Pizza^® to its growing roster of national franchise chains with plans to expand both concepts.

BRIX Holdings is an innovative multi-concept firm and parent company of popular frozen yogurt chain Red Mango^®, focusing on healthy eating concepts with the highest quality products and menus.

"Recognizing that there are numerous existing brands in the marketplace that are past the initial concept stage without the necessary ingredients to capitalize on their growth potential, BRIX Holdings was established to add the knowledge and resources needed to create that growth and business success," said John Antioco, chairman of the board for BRIX Holdings.

Joe Vitrano has been appointed CEO of BRIX Holdings to manage a seasoned team of professionals who will expand and support the franchise chains.

"BRIX Holdings is acquiring promising concepts, enhancing the product offering, upgrading the branding, and utilizing its operations, administrative and franchising infrastructure to expand those concepts nationally and internationally," Vitrano said. "BRIX Holdings is currently seeking franchisees nationally for Smoothie Factory, RedBrick Pizza and Red Mango Yogurt Cafe & Juice Bar."

Founded in the North Texas suburb of Carrollton in 1996 by Jim Villasana, an Olympic athlete in search of healthful food options, Smoothie Factory has approximately 40 locations serving real fruit smoothies made from top quality ingredients and offering a large selection of nutritional supplements. BRIX Holdings plans to add a line of cold-squeezed fruit and vegetable juices to enhance the experience and create additional brand awareness as a retailer of health products. The chain will also offer a co-branded opportunity with Red Mango Yogurt Cafe & Juice Bar.

RedBrick Pizza started in California by founder Jim Minidis. The fast-casual restaurant features fire roasted gourmet pizzas, salads, Fhazani flatbread sandwiches and all natural Italian gelato all created from fresh ingredients. RedBrick Pizza uses only all natural premium ingredients and hand-crafted dough made fresh daily with olive oil to create its superior menu. With additional options for gluten and lactose allergies as well as a selection of low calorie pizza rusticas, RedBrick Pizza is the ultimate way for consumers to enjoy their favorite comfort food. For more than a decade the brand has been known for its fire-roasted, gourmet pizza and was named a Hot Concept by Nation's Restaurant News in 2006.

BRIX Holdings has named Miguel Foegal as president of Smoothie Factory and RedBrick Pizza. Both concepts will include new prototypes with updated interiors.

As part of the acquisitions, founders Villasana and Minidis stay on in consultant roles.

In addition to the national expansion of Smoothie Factory and RedBrick Pizza, BRIX Holdings plans to focus Red Mango growth on the Red Mango Yogurt Cafe & Juice Bar concept.

Red Mango now has almost 300 locations open across the U.S., Mexico, El Salvador and Uruguay and recently opened its first Red Mango Yogurt Cafe & Juice Bar in Puerto Rico.

"These three concepts all fit into existing real estate that is readily available," said Vitrano. "With the guidance of the BRIX Holdings leadership team, these brands all have the potential to grow very rapidly and deliver better opportunities for our franchise owners."

About BRIX Holdings, LLC:
BRIX Holdings, LLC is a Dallas-based multi brand franchising company specializing in chains with superior products and attractive growth prospects. BRIX Holdings focuses on brands that are both attractive to the rapidly expanding single-unit owner/operator franchise market segment and have the potential to grow into national and international award-winning chains. The current BRIX Holdings portfolio includes the Red Mango, Smoothie Factory and RedBrick Pizza chains.

About Red Mango Yogurt Cafe & Juice Bar:
Based in Dallas and with more than 280 locations across the U.S., Mexico, El Salvador and Uruguay, Red Mango is a rapidly-expanding retailer of all-natural frozen yogurt, light foods and fresh cold-squeezed juices. Red Mango Yogurt Cafe & Juice Bars serve fresh, cold-squeezed juices made with raw, never heated whole fruits and vegetables, sandwiches and salads under 500 calories, fresh fruit smoothies, and uniquely delicious all-natural frozen yogurt fortified with live and active probiotic cultures like GanedenBC30® (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086).

More information about Red Mango Yogurt Cafe & Juice Bar is available at www.redmangousa.com. Visit Red Mango on Facebook at www.facebook.com/redmango or www.facebook.com/dankimredmango, or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/redmango or www.twitter.com/dankimredmango. Franchising information is available at www.redmangofranchising.com or (631) 615-6711.

About Smoothie Factory:
The first Smoothie Factory location opened in Carrollton, Texas in 1996.  Since then, Smoothie Factory has established itself as a leading retailer of real fruit smoothies, fresh juices and nutritional products.  Both the domestic and international headquarters of Smoothie Factory are located in Dallas, Texas.  The Smoothie Factory brand signifies exceptional products with the highest nutritional values and promotes healthy eating options that fit into its customers' lifestyles. Smoothie Factory locations also offer popular nutritional supplements to consumers at low costs.

More information about Smoothie Factory opportunities in the US and Canada is available at www.smoothiefactory.com. Franchising information is available at www.smoothiefactory.com/franchising or (631) 615-6711.

About RedBrick Pizza:
RedBrick Pizza is an industry pioneer serving fresh, fire-roasted gourmet pizzas, Fhazani flatbread sandwiches, tossed salads and all natural Italian gelato all made with only premium ingredients. Named one of The Future 50 fastest growing emerging chains in America by Restaurant Business 2007, RedBrick Pizza combines century old Italian tradition with new world recipes to create high-quality, made-to-order menu items. The custom brick oven at RedBrick Pizza locations sears pizza at more that 750°. Using only all natural cheeses,meats, premium gourmet toppings and hand-crafted dough made with olive oil, RedBrick Pizza offers healthier menu options that everyone can enjoy.  

More information about RedBrick Pizza is available at www.redbrickpizza.com. Visit RedBrick on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RedBrickPizza or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/redbrickpizza. Franchising information is available at www.redbrickpizza.com/franchise.htm or (631) 615-6711.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140512/86787 
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140512/86798 
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140512/86766

SOURCE BRIX Holdings, LLC