Two New Ruggles Green Restaurant Locations Announced

HOUSTON, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Cafe Management and GJR Partners are pleased to announce plans to open a third and fourth Ruggles Green restaurant during the next six months in Greater Houston.

The first location will be in the Heights and is scheduled to open in early May. A substantial renovation of the old 11th Street Cafe location will begin January. The focus is to maintain the charm of the historical old building, modernize the interior, while bringing it up to Ruggles Green standards for Green Certification. In addition, emphasis will be placed on delivering high quality local and organic food as well as excellent service, which Ruggles Green customers have grown to expect.

The second location is being constructed in Sugar Land and is scheduled to open in early July. The Sugar Land location, in Town Square, will have an expansive patio designed to be family-friendly. Amenities include a private room for customer special events and accessible parking for customers and for take out needs. 

"We are extremely pleased by the progress we have made since opening our first location in River Oaks", said Federico Marques, VP/Marketing and Co-Founder.  "Our CityCentre location is the only 4-Star Certified Green Restaurant® in Texas and one of the greenest restaurants in the world.  Our Sugar Land location will be 4-Star certified and will maintain the quality of food and customer experience we are known for.  Our goal is to expand our children's healthy, organic, and gluten-free menu options and to continuously improve our sustainability model.  It is very gratifying to see the positive response to our Ruggles Green vision, which has allowed us to push forward with two new locations."

Robert Guillerman, VP/Operations and co-founder, states, "Our customers have expectations of high quality food, at an affordable price, with excellent service".  Our confidence lies in our employees and in the experience we have gained over the last three years.  We look forward to servicing more neighborhoods in the Greater Houston area and also in becoming a valued part of those communities.  We realize that every customer has unique needs and we work hard to ensure we live up and hopefully exceed their expectations". 

Jennifer McGehee, VP GJR Partnership, commented, "Our affiliation with Green Cafe Management was formed to provide the financial support they needed to expand the Ruggles Green franchise.  We are pleased to be associated with our Ruggles Green partners and to support their vision and leadership in the Green Restaurant movement. Moreover, we look forward to providing the capital and support for the new Heights and Sugar Land locations."

Ruggles Green is a Certified Green Restaurant® and conforms to guidelines set by the Green Restaurant Association. "Ruggles Green has completed an incredible amount of steps towards becoming more environmentally sustainable", says Jennifer Fleck, Communications Manager for the GRA. "Ruggles Green is not only the greenest restaurant in Texas, but one of the greenest in the world. They set a wonderful example for the industry, and we look forward to going even further with them in the future."

About Ruggles Green

Formed in 2008, Ruggles Green is Houston's first Certified Green Restaurant®. In 2011, Ruggles Green at CityCentre also became the first 4-Star Certified Green Restaurant in Texas, the Green Restaurant Association's highest level of certification. Ruggles Green was launched with the goal of providing local, organic, and gluten free options to customers via a premium fast casual restaurant.  The vision of the founders was to lead the industry in sustainability while still offering healthy and great tasting food.  Federico Marques and Robert Guillerman are co-founders and are responsible for the operations of the business.

Ruggles Green stores conform to guidelines set by the Green Restaurant Association.  Guidelines include energy conservation, water conservation, extensive recycling, composting, use of sustainable materials, public education and outreach, and use of local, organic, and vegetarian menu items.  Green Cafe Management owns Ruggles Green.  For more information, visit www.rugglesgreen.com.

About GJR Partnership

The GJR partnership was formed by a group of Houston and Calgary-based investors to provide the financial and general management to support the Ruggles Green expansion in Houston.  The partnership has a management and license agreement with Green Cafe Management for the rights to own multiple Ruggles Green Restaurants and for Green Cafe Management to provide the in-store operations. Jennifer McGehee is a VP and partner of GJR Partnership and is GJR's Houston-based operations and marketing executive.

About the Green Restaurant Association

The Green Restaurant Association (GRA), a national non-profit organization, helps the restaurant industry improve its environmental practices through research, environmental consulting, education, and certification. Founded in 1990, long before green was cool; the GRA utilizes a collaborative strategy that involves restaurants, manufacturers, vendors, community organizations, government, media, and restaurant customers. For more information visit www.dinegreen.com.

SOURCE Ruggles Green Restaurant