LaSalle Brands Corporation Announces National Franchising Of LaSalle Ice Cream And Bean Factory Dessert Cafes

Business Wire:

LaSalle Brands Corporation announced today a program of national franchising for the company’s LaSalle Ice Cream and Bean Factory dessert cafes.

The franchising concept builds on the success of the company’s four wholly-owned LaSalle Ice Cream and Bean Factory stores in New York City, which operate in Manhattan and the Bronx.

‘We are very excited about this franchising program, which will offer entrepreneurs a proven, profitable concept, and consumers a dessert café experience that offers a range of super-premium ice creams, gelatos, sorbets, fresh-baked pastries and gourmet coffees,’ Frank Holdraker, CEO of the LaSalle Ice Cream Franchise Company, said.

Holdraker said he expects the first LaSalle Dessert Cafes to be open for business this summer. He added that the franchising effort will begin in Arizona and New York, with expansion across the South before the end of the year. The franchising plan calls for more than 30 dessert cafes to be operating throughout the country by the end of 2009.