BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

As part of the Pentagon’s dramatic new efforts to improve the diet and fitness of its troops and the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign, the military’s choice for healthier alternative UFood Grill restaurants moved a step closer today to opening its first location on a military base.

UFood Restaurant Group Inc. (OTCBB:UFFC.OB - News) – a growing “better-for-you” fast food chain with healthier menu offerings, has been approved by the Army/Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) and is well positioned to support these initiatives. In January 2012, UFood announced they’d signed an agreement for global military base development of 26 UFood Grills with MBUF, LLC, a private investment group of military veterans. Three locations are now underway at the Aberdeen Proving Ground military base in Maryland, with the first of these three locations slated to open in March 2012.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Jonathan Woodson announced changes to the menus of 1,100 dining halls at military bases nationwide earlier this month. The move, which adjusts the Pentagon’s nutritional standards for the first time in 20 years, will bring more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and food choices that are lower in fat to 1.45 million troops a day at all 1,100 American military dining facilities in the coming months.

“Simply put, this is America's entire military once again stepping forward to lead by example," Mrs. Obama said about the Pentagon’s nutrition movement earlier this month. “A lack of fitness is not just a health issue, but a national security issue.”

“As we enter the military with our upcoming opening at Aberdeen Proving Ground, we will be at the forefront of healthier eating within the military," said UFood Chairman and CEO George Naddaff. “MBUF is comprised of a group of experienced veterans who understand that leading by example in the area of health and nutrition benefits the military and our country as a whole. We look forward to opening Aberdeen together as we map out further military base locations for UFood.”

“The military has had a great response to the UFood Grill concept,” said Francis L. Shea, managing partner, MBUF, LLC. “As a veteran myself, I know how important a balanced diet is to military fitness. By offering a healthy fast casual alternative to fast food, we believe that UFood will serve both the nutritional and the lifestyle needs of our military and their families, and their overall health.”

UFood Grill is committed to offering consumers food that tastes great, is lower in calories and fat and, wherever possible, serving meals that are antibiotic and hormone-free, gluten-free as well as natural, grass-fed beef and cage-free eggs. UFood boasts a wide-ranging menu that includes lean burgers, rice bowls, salads, wraps, paninis and smoothies. In addition to airport locations in Boston, Cleveland and Dallas, construction is underway at two locations in the Salt Lake City International Airport, which will open in April.

About UFood Restaurant Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Boston, Mass., UFood Restaurant Group, Inc. is a franchisor and operator of fast-casual food service restaurants. UFood Grill offers a healthy lifestyle alternative to consumers in the fast-casual restaurant space and is positioned to become a leading player in the “better-for-you” quick-serve restaurant category. Franchise innovator George Naddaff, who founded Boston Market and led the franchising of several companies, including Sylvan Learning Center and VR Business Brokers, leads the company. Mr. Naddaff also founded two of the first educational day care centers in the United States, Living and Learning Centers and Mulberry Child Care Centers, both of which were sold to KinderCare®. Mr. Naddaff has assembled a veteran management team at UFood Grill with a successful record in the franchise market. UFood is currently launching a growth plan to franchise nationwide. To learn more, visit http://www.ufoodgrill.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 involving known and unknown risks, delays, and uncertainties that may cause our actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, delays, and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the uncertainty of future financial results, our reliance on our sole supplier, the limited diversification of our product offerings, additional financing requirements, development of new products, government approval processes, the impact of competitive products or pricing, technological changes, the effect of economic conditions and other uncertainties detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

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Pentagon’s Nutrition Effort Advances as UFood Grill Moves Closer to Opening First Military Location