Blimpie Subs & Salads Selects Sharp As Authorized Point of Sale Solutions Provider MAHWAH, N.J., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Blimpie International, Inc. has authorized Sharp, a global technology leader in Point of Sale (POS) management solutions, as its authorized single-source Point of Sale solutions provider. Sharp Electronics Corporation, the U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, will equip BLIMPIE Subs & Salads(TM) restaurants in the United States with Sharp's UP-3301 and UP-700 POS systems as well as Sharp's Intelligent Data Enterprise management system. The accumulated POS data capture and warehousing resulting from this combination of Sharp hardware and software will enable BLIMPIE to consolidate reporting and services for increased operational control at all levels of the organization. With headquarters in Atlanta, GA, Blimpie International, Inc. is a global franchisor of several branded quick service restaurant concepts. The company's core brand, BLIMPIE Subs & Salads, has grown to approximately 1,700 franchised outlets across the United States and internationally. "Large enterprises, such as BLIMPIE, require accurate and timely POS data to make smart business decisions every day," said Stewart Mitchell, senior vice president, Information Systems Group, Sharp Electronics. "Sharp's Intelligent Data Enterprise provides an affordable, robust reporting and management system, which will help BLIMPIE increase sales and profitability across their entire system." "After conducting a thorough review of competing products and services, it was clear that Sharp offered the ideal POS systems for BLIMPIE Franchisees," said Brian Lane, chief financial officer, Blimpie International, Inc. "The combination of Sharp's POS systems and Intelligent Data Enterprise services brings the BLIMPIE organization to a whole new level of operational and reporting efficiency. We're confident that implementation of the Sharp solution to BLIMPIE Franchisees will provide a pro-active approach to drive more store sales, while reducing overall costs," he said. Sharp's reliable, intuitive and modular UP-3301 POS system offers sophisticated hospitality management features in a space saving design. The UP-3301's brilliant color touch screen provides operator ease of use, while reducing errors, and its built-in, embedded software increases system reliability and stability. With drive-through screens that allow viewing of the last four orders, complete tracking of combo meals and promotions and instant recall of previous orders, the UP-3301's powerful software streamlines operations while it helps reduce expenses. The Sharp UP-700 offers a flat micro-motion keyboard for spill protection, an adjustable, extra large, multi- line backlit operator LCD display to closely monitor transaction processing and a reliable thermal printer with graphic logo imprint capabilities. Along with its built-in embedded software for reliability, the UP-700 allows for credit card processing right through the POS to significantly increase speed of service. The Sharp Intelligent Data Enterprise is a comprehensive, cost-effective, flexible, managed solution that allows BLIMPIE to capture and warehouse all POS data from individual restaurant locations for consolidated multi-unit reporting for all levels of their enterprise. Integrating with Sharp POS terminals, restaurant data is automatically "pushed" and backed up to a centralized data warehouse via the Internet, so consolidated and historical restaurant data can be viewed anytime, anywhere. Through a very robust selection of services and reports, the Sharp Intelligent Data Enterprise enhances the BLIMPIE operational control and management for multi-unit operators, Franchisees and Area Representatives. The standard Executive Information Service provides for a "business performance dashboard" that tracks labor, inventory costs, inventory levels, sales trends, food costing and management alerts. Auto-generated, pre-packaged, user-friendly reports allow for individual store review or consolidated analysis and are based on access authorization levels. Advanced reporting allows for drill-down capabilities and graphical analysis while sales reports provide information to identify high-yield products or regions and critical peak sales times. The Sharp Intelligent Data Enterprise also identifies problem areas, providing a superior degree of loss control while increasing the BLIMPIE operational efficiency through improved labor and food costing. For more information on Sharp's full line of electronic cash registers and point of sale systems, contact the Point of Sale Division, Sharp Electronics Corporation, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, NJ 07430 or call 201-529-8900. For online information, visit Sharp's Web site at http://www.sharpusa.com/. Sharp Electronics Corporation is the Mahwah, N.J.-based marketing and sales subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of the core technologies that are integral to shaping the next generation of home entertainment products, appliances, networked, multi-functional office solutions and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS(TM) Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit(TM) audio products, the SharpVision(R) line of projection products, Viewcam(R) camcorders, Sharp Carousel(R) microwaves, Imager(TM) digital multi-functional systems, the Notevision(R) line of multi-media projectors, and the Zaurus(TM) Personal Mobile Tool. Sharp Electronics Corporation employs approximately 2,000 people throughout the U.S. supporting more than 50 product lines. DATASOURCE: Sharp Electronics Corporation CONTACT: Devon Nagle of Stanton Crenshaw Communications, +1-212-780-1900, , for Sharp Electronics Corporation Web site: http://www.sharpusa.com/

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