Maui Tacos Expands Into Texas.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 22, 1999--

Quick-Service Maui-Mex(TM) Concept Steps Up U.S. Expansion

Maui Tacos International, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of Blimpie International, Inc. (AMEX:BLM) has announced the signing of five new subfranchisor agreements with development

Maui Tacos International awarded the subfranchisor agreements to five corporations owned and operated by Alan F. Crites, president, and Hector Hernandez, vice president.

The first restaurant is expected to open in San Antonio in early 2000 with Austin and Dallas restaurants soon to follow. Agreements call for a minimum development of 56 restaurants over the next seven years.

There are now 11 MAUI TACOS(R) restaurants open, including four on the mainland in Atlanta; Greenwich Village in Manhattan; Newark, Delaware; and Bonita Springs, Florida. Seven restaurants are open in the Hawaiian Islands. The first company-owned MAUI TACOS restaurant opened in Dunwoody, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, in October 1998. Already the recipient of several national design awards, MAUI TACOS' retro-Hawaiian, surfer garage image, along with its mix of Mexican and Hawaiian-influenced foods, creates a unique experience for the customer. The menu features traditional Mexican entrees such as tacos, burritos and quesadillas made with charbroiled steak, chicken and seafood marinated in pineapple, lime juices and spices of the Hawaiian Islands. "It's Mexican with Mauitude(TM)".

MAUI TACOS was conceived in Hawaii in 1993 by nationally renowned chef Mark Ellman. In 1997, Blimpie International, Inc. acquired the brand's trademark and development rights, establishing Maui Tacos International, Inc. and retained Ellman as executive chef and him and his partner as shareholders.

Headquartered in New York, Blimpie International, Inc. franchises BLIMPIE(R) Subs & Salads and PASTA CENTRAL(TM) and is the majority owner of Maui Tacos International, Inc., the franchisor of MAUI TACOS and SMOOTHIE ISLAND(TM). BLIMPIE Subs & Salads, a quick-service sandwich chain, has more than 2,100 units operating in locations throughout the United States and in 14 other countries. The Company also owns the subsidiary B I Concept Systems, Inc., a professional design and equipment service company.