Foremay Ships Full Disk Encryption SED SSD with Crypto Erase

 Incorporating advanced cryptographic erase technologies, Foremay’s self encrypting drives not only secure user information by implementing data encryption and file encryption on a full disk encryption basis, but also perform data self-destruction via automatic crypto erase at lightning speed when tampered or hacked.

PASADENA, Calif. - Tuesday, January 26th 2016 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Foremay, Inc., a leader of technology innovation in rugged solid state drives and one of the world’s Top SSD companies, today released its Self Encrypting Drive (SED) enabled SSD. It uses hardware encryption technologies to encrypt and decrypt every single bit of data during the write and read process so that data on it is secured. In addition, the Foremay SED SSD offers a crypto erase feature that can instantaneously render all data scrambled, scattered and useless.

“Information security on SSD drives has become increasingly important to all users, particularly in government, defense, financial and medical industries,” said Jack Winters, Foremay’s CTO and co-founder. “Foremay's SED SSD protects the drives and the data from unauthorized access by means of 256-bit AES hardware encryption that complies with TCG OPAL 2.0. Users can also preset a maximum number of failed access attempts that will automatically trigger crypto erase."

The crypto key for self encrypting drives can be set and kept outside a Foremay's SED SSD only, so that even if the drive is stolen, there is no way to hack the key, let alone access the drive. Furthermore, with optional OPAL 2.0 features harnessed with an enhanced authorization key and encryption key authentication and verification process, when a drive is removed from its designated host computer, the drive will not be recognized and cannot be accessed by another computer even if a user has the correct authorization key.

The unique advantage of crypto erase is its lightning speed - it takes only a second to crypto erase of an entire Foremay SED SSD. In addition, users can initiate a crypto erase by software or hardware method, locally or remotely.

About Foremay

Founded in the Silicon Valley in 2002, Foremay, Inc., is a leading organization dedicated to technological innovation in rugged and secured Solid State Drives (SSDs) for highly reliable mission-critical computing, industrial computing, and enterprise computing. Foremay is headquartered in Pasadena, California, USA. For more information, please visit www.foremay.net

Contacts

Foremay, Inc.

Jason Hoover, +1 408-228-3468

pr@foremay.net









Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/16869/en

"Family Safety" Forum Concludes in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, January 26th 2016 [ME NewsWire]

During the Family Security and Safety forum, the Abu Dhabi Police announced the recognition of the ideal family, mother, father, son and most secure house through prizes. These awards will promote family values ​​and bonding in order to positively impact the community’s stability and security. The awards’ details will be announced soon.

The forum, which concluded recently, was organized by the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Police in the Heritage Village at Emirates Park Zoo. Topics discussed were the importance of family bonding, how to strengthen it in a manner that increases the community coherence and bonding, and cooperation in addressing negative aspects, as well as the role of partners in this regard.

Colonel Mubarak Bin Muhairom, Director General of Community Protection and Crime Prevention at the Ministry of Interior, said that the forum stressed the interdependence and cooperation of police leaders and partners to address negative aspects and focus on family bonding as the first building block in the construction of society. He expressed his thanks and appreciation to the partners who have contributed to the forum events in order to enhance the community’s security and safety.

According to Colonel Bin Muhairom, a team of police and partners will be formed to address community problems, cooperate in finding solutions, and benefit from the results of a questionnaire distributed to forum partners and audience members, which asks them to evaluate the forum and write their suggestions to develop and improve the next forum’s activities. He noted that the next forum will include training courses on first aid, methods of home insurance against fire and theft, and other sessions about the adjustment of children’s behavior.

The forum activities featured several awareness and cultural lectures on familial relationships and the factors that strengthen the relationships’ cohesion. These lectures cooperation to create a family environment that improves the upbringing of children, so that the family is an role model for creating a secure and stable society surrounded by precious care and ethics.

Captain Salem Suhail Al Ameri, Acting Chief of Community Police Affairs Section in the Peripheral Regions Directorate, said, “the forum’s events have provided many awareness and cultural lectures to parents and children, covering educational basics, child care and solid foundations for good conduct. This will foster a sense of belonging in the child, who will defend his nation’s integrity. The events also featured some of the activities and recreational contests that enlightened the children’s minds and encourages their spirit of participation.”

“The events included many religious lectures for children to identify the tolerant Islamic rituals through a group of preachers, in order to introduce them to the high cultural values ​​inherent in our religion,” he added.

He pointed out that the bulk of the attention was directed to children through the program that included a “Protect Children from Risks” panel discussion, organized by the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Center. The seminar covered the proper methods to protect and take care of children, and the optimal ways to raise and shield them from community dangers, so that each of them grows up completely able to defend himself.

The closing day attracted a large audience of families and children, featuring a series of events and activities which catered to them. These events included entertainment shows, puppet theater, sniffer dog shows, camel rides, interesting musical performances played by the military musical band, and popular cartoon shows.

For more information about:

The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE

Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

Follow us and check our Social Media feeds on: YouTube, Facebook, Google +, Instagram and Twitter          

The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-666-4891

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/16870/en

Family Security and Safety Forum Launched in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Thursday, January 21st 2016 [ME NewsWire]

The fourth Family Security and Safety Forum organized by the Department of Community Police at Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters was launched yesterday (Wednesday) at the Emirates Park in Al Bahya, Abu Dhabi. The forum is held under the patronage of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and takes place from 20 to 23 January.

Major General Dr. Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of HH Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, revealed that Abu Dhabi Police, along with its partners, exerts major efforts to support family relations. He continued that achieving unity among family members protects the society, and its security and safety, stressing the importance of unity and solidarity within family units, which are regarded as a key pillar in society’s development.

He said in his inauguration speech that the way a child is raised in his early years highly influences the child’s behavior later on. “This is why we must pay major attention to raising children and educating them using safe methods. We must infuse them with values that make them good citizens who are loyal to their country and keen to preserve its security and safety,” he explained. He praised the important role of the Abu Dhabi Police’s partners, who protect children and provide them with all means of safety and protection to establish safe, united and strong families.

Colonel Mubarak Awadh bin Muhairom, Director General of Community Protection and Crime Prevention at the General Secretariat of the Office of HH Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, emphasized the role of family support and children’s protection in achieving the higher goal set by the late founding father and President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, stating that true investment is investment in the human element. He also recognized the efforts of the Community Police, who along with their partners accomplish the police leadership’s goals of protecting families and children- the key pillar of society.

Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, Chief Operations Officer of the forum’s main sponsor Emirates Aluminium (EMAL), expressed his gratitude towards the police leadership that organizes such community conventions. Mazrooei reaffirmed his company’s desire to cooperate with Abu Dhabi Police through the Community Police, who operate diligently to educate members of society from all ages and  backgrounds. He continued that Emirates Aluminium has been a long-time partner with the police, working together to build a strong and united society characterized by security and stability.

Major General Nasser Al Nuaimi and Colonel Mubarak bin Muhairom honored the partners, and then toured the exhibition which was held on the sidelines of the convention.

For more information about:

The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE

Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

Follow us and check our Social Media feeds on: YouTube, Facebook, Google +, Instagram and Twitter

The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-666-4891

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com









Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/16851/en

ThreatConnect Upgrades the Most Advanced Threat Intelligence Platform with Release of ThreatConnect 4.0

Threat Intelligence Platform Adds Comprehensive Reporting for Security Management and the C-Suite, Enhanced Customization Features and Faster Analysis; Available Both On-Premises and in the Cloud

ARLINGTON, Va. - Tuesday, January 26th 2016 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ThreatConnect®, Inc., today announced ThreatConnect 4.0, the latest version of the industry’s only true threat intelligence platform (TIP). Immediately available for all customers, ThreatConnect 4.0 offers customized reporting catering to Directors and the C-suite, making it easy for these stakeholders to evaluate threat intelligence. Security Directors can easily see the impact threat intelligence is having across their organization and make real-time playbook and workflow decisions to maximize efforts. Plus, chief information security officers (CISO) gain a much-demanded ability to measure the return on investment (ROI) of Threat Intelligence.

"Cyber threats are no longer solely a problem for security teams and analysts, the stakes and prevalence of data breaches affect more organizations’ missions and bottom line, making this a greater area of C-Suite and board-level involvement,” said ThreatConnect CEO Adam Vincent. “While we often refer to our platform as ‘made for analysts, by analysts’, we recognize the need to deliver insights that are easily digestible from the security analyst all the way to the CISO, in one platform, and that’s exactly what we’ve done with ThreatConnect 4.0.”

There are several additional differentiators within ThreatConnect 4.0 including the ability to distinguish the quality, relevance and accuracy (false positives) of intelligence sources being evaluated. In an easily understood visual, ThreatConnect 4.0 is grouped in four sections: sources, indicators, intelligence, and activities. An overview of all assessed data from within the organization, specified communities and threat feeds is provided all on one screen. All sources of indicators are then plotted on a ‘threat rating versus confidence’ quadrant, making it effortless to compare and contrast the greatest areas of concern. These new features enable executives, security teams and analysts to collaborate and make faster, informed decisions on how to invest time and resources, dramatically improving security ROI.

ThreatConnect 4.0 also boasts a new user interface, with an improved, easy to navigate dashboard and intuitive views of team workflows and collaboration to enhance helping security staffs and managers readily understanding of what is happening and what is important with a simple glance.

ThreatConnect 4.0 includes previous aspects as well, most notably its ability to be both on-premises and in cloud – the only TIP in the market with this capability – to flexibly suit different organizations’ requirements. In addition, ThreatConnect 4.0 continues to offer access to the highly valuable TC Exchange, which allows users to join or create their own communities - accessing open source and premium feeds to enhance intelligence gathering. Also within TC Exchange, users can build, host and share secure, customized applications that enable better contextual intelligence gathering, analysis and sharing.

Read more about ThreatConnect 4.0 at “What’s New in ThreatConnect 4.0.”

About ThreatConnect

ThreatConnect, Inc. is the leading provider of threat intelligence products and services including ThreatConnect®, the most widely adopted Threat Intelligence Platform (TIP) on the market. ThreatConnect delivers a single platform in the cloud and on-premises to effectively aggregate, analyze, and act to counter sophisticated cyber-attacks. Designed to engage security teams at all levels of maturity, ThreatConnect is used globally by organizations just getting their threat intelligence programs started as well as more than 40% of the Fortune 100. Leveraging advanced analytics capabilities ThreatConnect offers a superior understanding of relevant cyber threats to business operations. Learn more about our products and services, visit: www.threatconnect.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=51266184&lang=en

Contacts

PR Contact

W2 Communications

Nicole Nolte, 703-877-8111

Nicole.Nolte@w2comm.com









Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/16868/en

Schlumberger Announces Full-Year and Fourth-Quarter 2015 Results

HOUSTON - Tuesday, January 26th 2016 [ME NewsWire]

    Fourth-quarter revenue of $7.7 billion decreased 9% sequentially
    Fourth-quarter EPS of $0.65, excluding charges and credits, declined 17% sequentially
    Fourth-quarter restructuring and asset impairment charges totaled $1.46 per share
    Full-year free cash flow of $5 billion represented 114% of earnings
    New share repurchase program of $10 billion approved
    Quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share approved

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) today reported results for full-year 2015 and the fourth quarter of 2015. Full-year results are shown in the table below.

-To view the full report and tables please click here.



About Schlumberger

Schlumberger is the world’s leading supplier of technology, integrated project management and information solutions to customers working in the oil and gas industry worldwide. Employing more than 95,000 people representing over 140 nationalities and working in more than 85 countries, Schlumberger provides the industry’s widest range of products and services from exploration through production.

Schlumberger Limited has principal offices in Paris, Houston, London and The Hague, and reported revenues of $35.47 billion in 2015. For more information, visit www.slb.com.

*Mark of Schlumberger or of Schlumberger companies.

†Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), formerly Japan National Oil Corporation (JNOC), and Schlumberger collaborated on a research project to develop LWD technology. The EcoScope and NeoScope services use technology that resulted from this collaboration.

Notes

Schlumberger will hold a conference call to discuss the above announcement and business outlook on Friday, January 22, 2016. The call is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. (US Central Time), 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time), 3:00 p.m. (Paris time). To access the call, which is open to the public, please contact the conference call operator at +1 (800) 230-1059 within North America, or +1 (612) 234-9959 outside of North America, approximately 10 minutes prior to the call’s scheduled start time. Ask for the “Schlumberger Earnings Conference Call.” At the conclusion of the conference call an audio replay will be available until February 21, 2016 by dialing +1 (800) 475-6701 within North America, or +1 (320) 365-3844 outside of North America, and providing the access code 373076.

The conference call will be webcast simultaneously at www.slb.com/irwebcast on a listen-only basis. Please log in 15 minutes ahead of time to test your browser and register for the call. A replay of the webcast will also be available at the same web site until March 31, 2016.

This full-year and fourth-quarter 2015 earnings release and Supplemental Information, as well as other statements we make, contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which include any statements that are not historical facts, such as our forecasts or expectations regarding business outlook; growth for Schlumberger as a whole and for each of its segments (and for specified products or geographic areas within each segment); oil and natural gas demand and production growth; oil and natural gas prices; improvements in operating procedures and technology; capital expenditures by Schlumberger and the oil and gas industry; the business strategies of Schlumberger’s customers; the integration of Cameron into our business; the anticipated benefits of the Cameron transaction; the success of Schlumberger’s joint ventures and alliances; future global economic conditions; and future results of operations. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, global economic conditions; changes in exploration and production spending by Schlumberger’s customers and changes in the level of oil and natural gas exploration and development; general economic, political and business conditions in key regions of the world; pricing erosion; weather and seasonal factors; operational modifications, delays or cancellations; production declines; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements, including those related to offshore oil and gas exploration, radioactive sources, explosives, chemicals, hydraulic fracturing services and climate-related initiatives; the inability of technology to meet new challenges in exploration; the risk that the contemplated Cameron merger will not occur, negative effects from the pendency of the contemplated Cameron merger, the inability after the closing of the Cameron merger to successfully integrate the merged businesses and to realize expected synergies, the inability to retain key employees; expenses for the merger; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in this full-year and fourth-quarter 2015 earnings release and Supplemental Information and our most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of any such development changes), or should our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. Schlumberger disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.    

Contacts

Schlumberger Limited

Simon Farrant – Schlumberger Limited, Vice President of Investor Relations

Joy V. Domingo – Schlumberger Limited, Manager of Investor Relations

Office +1 (713) 375-3535

investor-relations@slb.com









Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/16871/en

Hilton Worldwide Changes the Game with a Revolutionary New Midscale Brand

Tru by Hilton makes spirited debut with 102 hotels signed, and 30 more in various stages of approval

MCLEAN, Va - Tuesday, January 26th 2016 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) today unveiled Tru by Hilton, a brand that is simplified, spirited and grounded in value, filling a massive void in the midscale category in the U.S. and Canada. Built from a belief that being cost conscious and having a great stay don’t have to be mutually exclusive, Tru by Hilton offers an experience unlike anything in its space, consistently delivered in a surprisingly affordable way.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160125005564/en/

Demonstrating owners’ desire for a forward-thinking and innovative midscale brand with a strong value proposition, Hilton Worldwide already has 102 hotels signed and an additional 30 hotels in various stages of approval in cities including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Denver, Portland and Nashville.

"We are incredibly excited to be launching Tru by Hilton, which will serve the largest segment of the hotel market, but a segment where no brand is meeting guests’ current needs,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Worldwide. “Tru will provide guests with a high-quality, contemporary, consistent and fresh experience at a great value for customers, while at the same time delivering strong returns to our owners.”

Pairing a stringent focus on operational efficiency with thoughtful innovation, Tru by Hilton is more than just a place to sleep, it’s a true travel experience designed to deliver a strong value proposition for owners and guests. The brand will appeal to a broad range of travelers who span generations but think alike; they are united by a millennial mindset – a youthful energy, a zest for life and a desire for human connection. No brand is meeting their needs in their price point today.

Tru by Hilton’s innovative features include:

    The Hive, a first floor experience that’s more than a lobby – 2,770 square-feet of open space with unique ways for guests to engage with others or spend time alone – in one of four distinct zones for lounging, working, eating or playing.
    The Play Zone, filled with table games, a large-screen TV (featuring DIRECTV), and tiered, stadium-inspired seating.
    A centrally located Command Center – a re-envisioned front desk – featuring a social media wall with real-time content to foster engagement among guests, and a 24/7 market offering fun snacks and refreshments, single-serve wine and beer*, healthy light meal options and sundries for purchase.
    A complimentary “Build Your Own” breakfast consisting of a toppings bar with 30 sweet and savory items allowing guests to customize bagels, donuts, Greek yogurt and oatmeal to satisfy their taste buds and cravings.
    Smart and efficiently designed guest rooms full of the things that matter most – all-white comfortable platform beds, 55” TVs, eight-foot wide windows, access to power everywhere, and surprisingly spacious bathrooms.
    A fitness center that defines wellness trends, rather than follows them, with a concept focused on cardio, strength and flexibility.
    A technology-forward mentality featuring segment-leading complimentary Wi-Fi bandwidth allowing guests to download and stream content on their devices, plentiful power sources, and mobile check-in, room selection and Digital Key available through the Hilton HHonors mobile app.
    A collaboration with DIRECTV, offering guests more than 150 channels, like they have at home.
    Rooms and linens cleaned by P&G Professional’s (NYSE: PG) top hospitality brands, including Tide® Professional™, Swiffer® Professional™ and Febreze® Professional™ to help enhance the guest experience and drive operational efficiencies.
    A brand personality that’s full of life with a spirited culture grounded in a thoughtful, reliable and unflappable approach to guest service.

“More than 40 percent of all U.S. hotel stays are within the midscale and economy sectors1 and Tru by Hilton addresses a gap in the marketplace by appealing to the youthful mindset demographic, pushing the industry to marry quality and value,” said Jim Holthouser, executive vice president, global brands, Hilton Worldwide. “We’re breaking through the clutter of undistinguished offerings to capture the hearts of today’s travelers and anticipating the needs of tomorrow’s guests, while delivering a hotel that’s a place travelers will want to go to rather than just through.”

Tru by Hilton’s prototype was designed to be easily scalable to fit urban, suburban, highway and airport adjacent locations. The prototype is also adaptable to dual-branded hotels. The first Tru by Hilton hotel is expected to open by the end of 2016 in the U.S.

“Knowing the intensive development process that was undertaken to create a distinctly different brand made expanding our presence in this rapidly-growing segment with Tru by Hilton an easy decision,” said Mitch Patel, president and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group. “Hilton Worldwide’s legacy of creating category-leading brands that complement, rather than compete with each other, gives us a competitive edge in the midscale category.”

Tru by Hilton joins Hilton Worldwide, the largest, fastest-growing global hospitality company, which recently entered its 100th country. Driven by organic growth, the company has an industry-leading pipeline of 275,000 rooms**. Tru by Hilton follows a tradition of developing brands that challenge consumer mindsets and industry standards, and joins a portfolio of what is now 13 independent yet complementary hotel brands addressing the varying needs of guests and owners across price points.

Guests of Tru by Hilton will enjoy the benefits of Hilton HHonors, the award-winning loyalty program serving more than 50 million members. Hilton HHonors offers members exclusive benefits and more ways to redeem points than any other guest-loyalty program.

“As we developed Tru, we wanted to challenge everything we thought we knew about how a hotel in this category should be designed and to shift guests’ behavior and expectations,” said Phil Cordell, global head, focused service brands, Hilton Worldwide. “We feel that Tru by Hilton will deliver on that vision.”

More information about Tru by Hilton can be found at www.trubyhilton.com. Media may access high resolution renderings and more by visiting news.hiltonworldwide.com/trubyhilton.

*Service of alcohol subject to state and local laws. Must be of legal drinking age.

** Including rooms approved but not yet signed.

About Tru by Hilton

Tru by Hilton is a revolutionary midscale hotel brand providing a simplified and spirited approach that is grounded in value for business and leisure travelers. Disrupting the midscale hotel space, Tru by Hilton will offer modern and functional guest rooms and social connectivity with reimagined public spaces, including an open lobby comprised of four zones where guests can work, play, lounge and eat. Designed to appeal cross-generationally, guests will enjoy complimentary amenities including breakfast, coffee and tea; optional mobile check-in and Digital Key; a multifunctional fitness center; and high-speed Wi-Fi. Single-serve wine and beer, fun snacks and light meal options will be available for purchase at a 24/7 retail market. Tru by Hilton is the newest addition to Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio of market-leading brands. Learn more at www.trubyhilton.com.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 97 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of thirteen world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,600 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 758,000 rooms in 100 countries and territories, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, twitter.com/hiltonworldwide.

youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, flickr.com/hiltonworldwide, and linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

1 Source: STR Census (June 2015); STR data

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160125005564/en/

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=51265398&lang=en

Contacts

Hilton Worldwide

Christine Miller

+1.901.277.6398

christine.miller@hilton.com



or

Jennifer Hughes

+1.214.402.5524

jennifer.hughes@hilton.com







Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/16864/en

Retail Food Group Achieves 2,500 Outlet Milestone

BRISBANE, Australia - Monday, January 25th 2016 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Retail Food Group (RFG) (ASX: RFG), Australia’s largest multi-food franchisor, has entered 2016 on a high with the commissioning of its 2,500th outlet. RFG is the global franchisor for brands including Donut King, Brumby’s Bakery, Michel’s Patisserie, Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar, Gloria Jean’s Coffees and Cafe2U.

The Company celebrated its milestone with the opening of Michel’s Patisserie & Café in Maitland, New South Wales in late December.

RFG CEO Franchise Andre Nell said the Company’s continued network expansion was being driven by high demand for innovative retail concepts in the Australian market, as well as strong international growth.

“We are focussed on enhancing the customer experience and driving franchisee success across all of our Brand Systems, both domestically and internationally,” said Mr Nell.

The new Michel’s Patisserie & Café outlet in Maitland is just the 10th of its kind, featuring a full format café store layout and extensive breakfast and lunch menu.

In addition to organic growth domestically, Mr Nell said RFG’s international operations have supported the Company’s current ambitious growth targets, with Turkey, Malaysia and China experiencing solid growth during 2015.

“Our Master Franchise Partner for Gloria Jean’s Coffees in Turkey is soon to open the 50th outlet in the region, placing Turkey as the fourth largest region for Gloria Jean’s Coffees across the globe, behind the USA with 60 outlets, UAE with 64 outlets and of course Australia with more than 300,” he said.

Gloria Jean’s Coffees’ first outlet to open in Hawaii commenced trading in November 2015 as part of the multi-million dollar refurbishment of the Ala Moana Centre in tourist mecca Waikiki Beach.

Listed on the ASX in 2006 with some 300 outlets, RFG has grown to become a leading global franchisor, with significant growth plans well underway.

“RFG’s achievement of its 2,500th outlet commissioning is a major milestone on this journey,” said Mr Nell.

About Retail Food Group Limited

RFG owns the Donut King, Brumby’s Bakery, Michel’s Patisserie, bb’s Café, Gloria Jean’s Coffees, It’s A Grind, The Coffee Guy, Café2U, Esquires, Pizza Capers and Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar franchise systems. The Company is a significant wholesale coffee roaster supplying existing Brand Systems and third party accounts under the Di Bella Coffee, Evolution Coffee Roasters Group and Roasting Australia coffee manufacturing brands. For more information visit www.rfg.com.au.

Contacts

Retail Food Group (RFG)

Amy Smith, +61 400 137 704

PR Manager

amy.smith@rfg.com.au









Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/16859/en