Casey's Grill Bar & Prime Pubs Announce Franchisees of the Year Awards

Mississauga, ON – April 6, 2009 – Prime Restaurants of Canada Inc. is proud to announce the winners of its Franchisee of the Year awards for its Casey's Grill Bar and Prime Pubs divisions. The awards recognize Prime franchisees for their operational excellence, management innovations and financial performance.

Patricia Griffith, Franchisee of Casey's Brampton has been named as Casey's Grill Bar Franchisee of the Year. "Patricia is a dynamo franchisee who in less than four years after buying the Brampton location has turned it into one of the most profitable Casey's locations in the country," says Grant Cobb, Senior Vice President of Casey's and Prime Pubs. "Patricia is well respected by both staff and restaurant patrons. She is one of those personable yet business-minded franchisees who use the wealth of their industry experience to inspire others to strive for the gold standard."

"Patricia is also recognized because of her constant willingness to support Prime Restaurants in testing new products, applications and procedures with the aim to improving and innovating operating standards which ultimately ease implementation for all Casey's Grill Bar restaurants," adds Cobb.

Scott Dargie, Franchisee of Paddy Flaherty's in Sarnia has been named as Prime Pubs' Franchisee of the Year. "It is no surprise Scott is winning this award for another consecutive year. His exceptional same store sales growth far exceed the industry average and prospective, new and experienced franchisees can learn a lot from him," says Cobb. "His success can be attributed to his personal, hands-on approach towards his pub patrons and his strong employee-centric work culture. Scott is deeply involved in his business and his face is well-known and respected in the Sarnia community.

Additional Prime Restaurants franchisee honours for Casey's Grill Bar include the Commitment Award to Gea Vandenbrink, Casey's London Argyle and the Highest Same Store Sales Award to Gary Cork, Casey's Brantford. Honours for Prime Pubs' franchisees go to Jeff O'Reilly, D'Arcy McGee's Ottawa, with Jeff winning both the Pubs Commitment Award and the General Manager of the Year Award, and the award for Pubs Highest Same Store Sales to Jason McLean, Fionn MacCool's St. Clair Avenue West. Winners of these awards receive a trophy and a monetary prize.

About Casey's Grill Bar
Casey's Grill Bar, a Prime Restaurants of Canada Inc. brand, is a franchised restaurant chain specializing in the casual dining sector. Established more than 28 years ago, the chain currently has 35 restaurants in Ontario and Québec. Casey's restaurant offers a contemporary dining experience with a variety of fresh, high-quality international cuisine and old favourites known as Casey's Classics including Casey's Classic Back Ribs, Casey's Classic Chicken Wings and Casey's Classic Bloody Caesar. Casey's features casual dining prices in an environment that offers the perfect balance of comfort, style and energy. Visit www.caseysbarandgrill.com for more information.

About Prime Pubs
Prime Pubs is a family of 13 authentic Irish pubs operating under the trade-marks of Fionn MacCool's, D'Arcy McGee's, Paddy Flaherty's and Tir nan Óg. Prime Pubs serve traditional Irish fare made from authentic recipes that have been developed over generations as well as a selection of contemporary favourites. Interiors of Prime Pubs offer a warm and friendly environment and many pubs feature furnishings that have been imported directly from Ireland. For more information visit www.primepubs.com.

About Prime Restaurants of Canada Inc.
Prime Restaurants of Canada Inc. operates and franchises a diversified portfolio of leading brands of casual dining restaurants and premium pubs across Canada under such trade-marks as: "East Side Mario's," "Casey's," "Fionn MacCool's," "D'Arcy McGee's," "Paddy Flaherty's," "Tir nan Óg," "Bier Markt" and "Pat & Mario's."

Prime Restaurants Royalty Income Fund is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol EAT.UN. Visit www.primerestaurants.com for more information.

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Media Contact:
Cathy Cowan, Cowan & Company
416-462-8773 ext. 11 or
cathy@cowanandcompany.net