Press Releases

CANTON, Mass., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Baskin-Robbins, America's favorite ice cream shop, is rapidly expanding its national footprint with today's announcement that Houston will have at least seven new stores opening. Three new franchisees recently joined Baskin-Robbins and have committed to developing the seven stores in Northwest Houston, as well as Katy and Humble, Texas. In addition to these stores, Baskin-Robbins plans continued growth in the region in 2010. Approximately 40 additional stores could be supported throughout Houston and the surrounding area, and would be scheduled to open over the next several years.

In order to share information about expansion opportunities in Houston, Baskin-Robbins is hosting a brand introduction seminar on December 11th at the J.W. Marriott Hotel at 5150 Westheimer Road from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Included in the discussion will be the brand's new store designs, market growth, new logo, marketing, training and site selection, among other topics. To register for the event and learn more, please contact Scott Mellon at 254.235.5855 or scott.mellon@dunkinbrands.com.

Baskin-Robbins operates more than 6,000 stores in 35 countries. With a domestic footprint of nearly 2,700 locations, Baskin-Robbins continues to seek exceptional franchisee candidates in Houston to be part of its U.S. expansion plans. Built over the last 64 years, Baskin-Robbins currently enjoys 98 percent brand awareness across the country and was named for the second consecutive year the number one ice cream and frozen dessert franchise in Entrepreneur magazine's annual "Franchise 500" ranking.

Baskin-Robbins is actively seeking store developers in the Houston area who possess strong financial backgrounds, the desire to maximize their territory's sales and have a passion for the communities they will serve.

"We are excited to welcome three new franchisees to the Baskin-Robbins family. They are a shining example of our small business, small network approach, which allows individuals to develop a strong presence in the community and play a vibrant role in the daily lives of those who live and work in and around Houston," said Salman Siddiqui, vice president of global business development, Baskin-Robbins. "With the remaining opportunities in Houston, Baskin-Robbins will continue to expand and satisfy a growing demand in and around Houston for high-quality ice cream, specialty frozen desserts and beverages."

Baskin-Robbins continues its growth in 2010 with several real estate concepts that provide interested store developers with a range of flexible real estate design options. Part ice cream indulgence, dessert-theater and test kitchen rolled into one, the revolutionary Cafe BR model operates as a high-end dessert bar with unique ice cream and coffee products. Cafe BR is currently being tested outside of Boston in the Patriot Place development alongside Gillette Stadium. The traditional Baskin-Robbins concept is an updated, stand-alone store featuring all of Baskin-Robbins' standard equipment and offerings. Traditional stores can also support a drive-thru depending on the real estate selected. Lastly, the BR Express concept is a kiosk design offering a convenient and simplified solution for malls, sports arenas, airports or other small co-branded real estate opportunities.

"With a history of innovative product introductions and a commitment to both customer service and business success for our franchisees, Baskin-Robbins delivers value to not only its customers, but entrepreneurs who are looking for a new career opportunity," said Siddiqui. "We share common objectives with our store developers, which focus on building and sustaining a profitable business and strong brand in today's economy."

Furthering its commitment to its franchisees, Baskin-Robbins also offers extensive training programs and comprehensive operating systems designed to help build business. A broad franchise support team is geared to simplify operations and includes development and construction experts, operational support professionals, training managers and field marketing managers. Baskin-Robbins also employs state-of-the-art technology and the latest point of sale terminals to help stores run more efficiently and cost effectively. Baskin-Robbins has proven to be a simple business to run with convenient hours of operation, minimal equipment, little waste and a majority of inventory that has a shelf life of one year with proper storage.

Over six decades ago, Baskin-Robbins was founded by ice cream enthusiasts Burton "Burt" Baskin and Irvine "Irv" Robbins who shared a dream to create an innovative ice cream store that would be a neighborhood gathering place for families. Today, over 300 million people visit Baskin-Robbins each year to sample the more than 1,000 flavors available in its ice cream library, as well as enjoy its full array of frozen treats including ice cream cakes, frozen beverages and sundaes.

About Baskin-Robbins

Named the top ice cream and frozen dessert franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine's 30th annual Franchise 500® ranking, Baskin-Robbins is the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. Baskin-Robbins creates and markets innovative, premium ice cream, specialty frozen desserts and beverages, providing quality and value to consumers at more than 6,000 retail shops in 35 countries. Baskin-Robbins was founded by two ice cream enthusiasts whose passion led to the creation of more than 1,000 ice cream flavors and a wide variety of delicious treats. Headquartered in Canton, Mass., Baskin-Robbins is part of the Dunkin' Brands, Inc. family of companies. For further information, visit http://www.baskinrobbins.com/franchiseopportunities.

Contact:
Kim Ryan
770.205.7423
kryan@fish-consulting.com

SOURCE Baskin-Robbins

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Dec. 4, 2009) - Gastem (TSX VENTURE: GMR) is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche of the $6,250,000 brokered flow-through private placement for an amount of $5,269,999.15 equal to 8,107,691 Units. The second tranche for the remaining $980,000.85 equal to 1,507,693 Units is expected to close next week on Tuesday the 8th of December.

The entire private placement (the Offering) consists of 9,615,384 Flow-Through Units ("Flow-Through Unit") at a price of $0.65 per Flow-Through Unit. Each Flow-Through Unit consists of one flow-through common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire one non-flow-through common share at a price of $0.85 per share for a period of 18 months from the closing.

The Offering was made to accredited investors, within the meaning of National Instrument 45-106, in the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. The closing is subject to the completion of formal documentation and receipt of Regulatory approval including the conditional approval of the TSX-V. Gastem retained Industrial Alliance Securities and Frazer Mackenzie Limited to act as the agent for the Offering and receive a commission of 7.5%.

The proceeds from the Flow-Through Shares will be used to finance admissible exploration work in Quebec.

Gastem is an independent oil and gas exploration and development company based in Montreal. The company holds exploration permits and rights to 3,135 km² in the St. Lawrence Lowlands, the Gaspe Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands in Quebec as well as properties in New York State and rights or interests in Appalachia.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        Gastem
        David Vincent,
        514-875-9034
        David.Vincent@Gastem.ca

Source: Gastem Inc.

The Center for Public Policy Analysis (CPPA) is a Washington, D.C.-based research organization and think-tank focused on foreign policy, national security, human rights, refugee and other policy issues of concern to the public and international policymakers.

Company:               Center for Public Policy Analysis

Headquarters Address:  2020 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

                       Suite No. #212

                       Washington, DC 20006

Main Telephone:        202-543-1444

Website:               www.centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org

Type of Organization:  Non-profit

Industry:              Research

Key Executives:        President:Philip Smith

Executive Director

Contact:               Philip Smith

Phone:                 202-543-1444

Email:                 info@centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org

Deputy Communications Director

Contact:               Maria Gomez

Phone:                 202-543-1444

Email:                 info@centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org

Deputy Communications Director

Contact:               Juan Lopez

Phone:                 202-543-1444

Email:                 info@centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org

    Source: Center for Public Policy Analysis

Frontier Capital was founded in 1999 as a private equity firm focused on providing capital and support to technology enabled business services companies. Frontier invests in high growth companies with a proven solution in the marketplace that can benefit from capital to accelerate growth, fund acquisitions, or generate shareholder liquidity. The firm is based in Charlotte, NC, and currently has $160 million under management. For more information on Frontier Capital, visit FrontierCapital.com

Company:                 Frontier Capital

Headquarters Address:    1100 Metropolitan Avenue

                         Suite 1050

                         Charlotte, NC 28204

Main Telephone:          704-414-2880

Website:                 www.frontiercapital.com

Type of Organization:    Private

Industry:                Finance

Key Executives:          Managing Partner: Richard Mclean

                         Managing Partner: Andrew Lindner

Operations

Contact:                 Katina Jakubowski

Phone:                   704-414-2880

Email:                   katina@frontiercapital.com

    Source: Frontier Capital

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 4, 2009) - There is some good news regarding employment in Canada this month but it is far too early to say that a jobs recovery has arrived, says the president of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Ken Georgetti was commenting on the release by Statistics Canada of labour force figures for November 2009. The level of employment was up by between October and November, and there was an increase in both full-time and part-time employment. "We're pleased that jobs were created in November but one month does not a recovery make," says Georgetti.

He adds, "Workers fell off a cliff starting last fall with the layoffs and plant closings. We've lost 340,000 full-time jobs in 13 months and we still have more than 1.5 million unemployed Canadians. We have to get those people back to work."

Georgetti says he is especially concerned to see that joblessness continues to increase among young workers aged 15 to 24. The unemployment rate among youth rose to 15.9% in November.

Georgetti called on Ottawa to move more quickly in distributing the money that it promised to invest to stimulate the economy and he says the government should use its next budget to create jobs through public investment. "We will need further stimulus measures throughout the year 2010 as the G-20 nations have promised. The next budget must contain measures to support job creation."

Quick Analysis from CLC Senior Economist Sylvain Schetagne

It may be too early to celebrate, but many labour market indicators are pointing in the right direction.

The level of employment was up by 79,100 between October and November 2009. Full-time employment rose by 38,600, but the majority of jobs created last month were part-time (+40,400).

The number of people unemployed declined by 13,200 in November 2009, contributing to a reduction in the unemployment rate from 8.6% to 8.5%. Comparing job creation between the self-employed and employees, we see that self-employment was down by 32,000 in November, while the number of employees was up by 111,100 when compared to October.

The level of employment was up by 56,900 in the private sector, and by 54,300 in the public sector. But, unexpectedly, about half of the employment growth took place in educational services, representing 37,900 out of the 79,100 jobs created in November.

The labour market continued to deteriorate for younger Canadians aged 15-24. In November, the number of full-time jobs declined by 15,600, the number of unemployed increased by 11,800, and the unemployment rate continued to increase, from 15.6% to 15.9%. There was no increase in the number of full-time jobs for men aged 25 and over, while the number of full-time jobs for women 25 and over increased by 54,200.

Since October 2008, about 340,000 Canadians have been laid off from their full-time jobs. The unemployment rate has increased by 2.2 percentage points, from 6.3% to 8.5%. The number of unemployed Canadians has grown by 422,700 during the same period, and now stands at 1,574,200, a 36.7% increase over the past 13 months.

The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 3.2 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together Canada's national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 130 district labour councils. Web site: www.canadianlabour.ca.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        CLC
        Sylvain Schetagne
        CLC Senior Economist
        613-526-7412

        CLC
        Dennis Gruending
        CLC Communications
        613-526-7431
        613-878-6040 -225 (cell.)

Source: Canadian Labour Congress