The Habit Burger Grill's first international agreement to roll out 50 Habit restaurants across the GCC over the next ten years

Food Quest Restaurants Management LLC given exclusive rights to open restaurants in UAE, KSA, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman

Dubai, January 11, 2015

Food Quest Restaurants Management LLC "Food Quest"  today announced the signing of a franchise agreement with The Habit Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ: HABT) "The Habit" - the brand's first international agreement - for the development of 50 new restaurants across the GCC over the next 10 years.

Founded in 1969 in Southern California, The Habit currently owns and operates over 100 restaurants in the United States. Voted as America's best tasting burger in a leading consumer magazine, The Habit Burger Grill is a fast casual restaurant that specializes in fresh, made-to-order, char-grilled burgers, sandwiches, and salads.

Food Quest has been given the exclusive rights to open restaurants in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman - with the first Habit Burger Grill expected to open its doors to diners in the UAE in 2015.

"We are thrilled to bring The Habit Burger Grill to the United Arab Emirates and the entire GCC region" said Darryl Bearer, General Manager of Food Quest.  "We have been great fans of The Habit brand and their signature made-to-order char-grilled burgers."

The Habit's Chief Executive Officer Russ Bendel stated, "Food Quest is a great restaurant operator and franchise business partner and we are proud to be working together to introduce The Habit Burger Grill brand to the Middle East."  He continued, "We are very impressed with their team's passion for delivering quality food and genuine hospitality all at a great value which aligns perfectly with The Habit's core principles."

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About The Habit Restaurants, Inc.
The Habit Burger Grill is a fast casual restaurant concept that specializes in preparing fresh, made-to-order char-grilled burgers and sandwiches featuring USDA choice tri-tip steak, grilled chicken and sushi-grade albacore tuna cooked over an open flame. The first Habit opened in Santa Barbara, California in 1969. The Habit has since grown to over 100 restaurants in 10 markets throughout California, Arizona, Utah and New Jersey.  More information is available at www.habitburger.com.

About Food Quest Restaurants Management LLC
Food Quest Restaurants Management LLC is a restaurant master franchise investor and operator developing leading international F&B brands across MENA. Current brands under development include Asia Seven, Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK), Punjab Grill, The Habit Burger Grill & Zambar.

Contacts
The Habit Contact:
(949) 943-8691
Media@habitburger.com

Food Quest Contact:
Helen Pickerill
Grayling Public Relations
+971 4 375 8951
              
Helen.pickerill@grayling.com

© Press Release 2015