March 23, 2005 - R.J. Gator's Announces Record Growth in 2005

With 13 locations scheduled to open throughout the Southeast, Florida-based R.J. Gator's will experience record growth, increasing its number of locations by more than 50% this year.

Jupiter, Fla. - Since opening with one location on Indiantown Road nearly 20 years ago, Florida-based R.J. Gator's has grown to a 22-unit chain with locations throughout the southeast. Within the next year, the company will be increasing its size by more than 50%, with 12 openings scheduled in 2005.

Presently, R.J. Gator's has eight corporately-owned locations from Vero Beach to Boynton Beach, Florida; and 14 franchised locations, including three in North Carolina, one in Louisiana, one in Alabama and six in Florida. This year's expansion will bring a second location to Birmingham , Alabama and will also introduce the concept to Fort Worth , Texas and new regions of Florida.

Two grand opening celebrations have already taken place this year: the corporately-owned Stuart ( Florida ) location, which set sales records during its first weeks; and a Fort Worth , Texas location, the first of a 3-store franchise agreement for that area. Other stores scheduled to open this year will be located in Oviedo, Tampa (part of a 10-store franchise agreement), Miami , Sarasota , New Port Richey, Melbourne , Port Charlotte and Birmingham , Alabama (2 locations). During the first part of 2006, R.J. Gator's will enter the Orlando and Jacksonville markets.

Mr. Tim Timoteo, who founded R.J. Gator's in 1986, came to Florida from Pennsylvania , where he owned a successful chain of steakhouses. Searching for a concept that would stand out among the others, he created a Florida-style restaurant with a Caribbean-influenced menu and a captivating Everglades-themed ambiance. R.J. Gator's is a hometown grill and bar where Florida springs to life with a rustic, woodsy and spacious atmosphere, decorated with lifelike alligators and other elements of nature.

Most new locations are freestanding, between 4,000 and 6,000 square feet, and include large outdoor patios, U-shaped indoor-outdoor bars, plasma screen televisions and open air kitchens.

"I am very pleased to be expanding the restaurant into new markets," said Mr. Timoteo ("Mr. T."). "Whether guests visit an R.J. Gator's in Texas , North Carolina or Alabama , they will immediately feel like they are on a journey through the Florida Everglades, which is why so many states throughout the southeast have embraced the concept."

As the company experiences this significant growth, its menu is also evolving from wings and sandwiches to a seafood grill with market fresh fish and steaks. R.J. Gator's is now known for signature menu items like the Alligator Tail, Havana Banana Chicken with black beans and rice and Handmade Coconut Shrimp with sweet plantains. In addition, most new locations feature a raw bar and signature drinks, such as the Alligator Alley Punch.

For more information, please visit www.rjgators.com.

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