Tony Roma's - Press Releases

November 29, 2016

New Licensing Agreement with RibWorld Expands Tony Roma’s Retail Reach to Europe

Tony Roma’s World-Famous Ribs and BBQ Products coming to retail in the UK, Ireland and Spain

ORLANDO, Fla. – November 29, 2016 – Romacorp, Inc., parent company of Tony Roma’s, announces the company’s newest licensing deal with RibWorld, Europe’s leading supplier of sous vide award winning ribs and market leader in a range of pork, beef, chicken and lamb products. RibWorld is owned by the M&M Walshe Group, a 3rd generation family-run global business headquartered in Ireland.  This agreement comes on the heels of Tony Roma’s recently announced licensing deal in Australia and New Zealand, its first new licensing deal since 2007 and first ever licensing deal for the Tony Roma’s brand outside the USA.

“We are thrilled to launch Tony Roma’s retail products in Europe with such a well-respected and prominent global company,” said Stephen K. Judge, President and CEO of Romacorp, Inc. “Tony Roma’s is known around the world for our signature ribs and BBQ products, and we are confident that RibWorld will successfully build the Tony Roma’s retail brand in Europe as a strong complement to our restaurant business.  This new agreement with RibWorld, signed on the heels of our licensing agreement in Australia and New Zealand, demonstrates the strength of our brand and the craving retailers and consumers around the world have for Tony Roma’s world-famous ribs and signature products.”

The new licensing deal with RibWorld will introduce Tony Roma’s world-famous ribs and BBQ products to retails channel in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Spain. Products are planned to initially launch in mid to late 2017, with additional market launches on the horizon. Broad Street Licensing Group, the global licensing agency for the Tony Roma’s brand, worked with Romacorp to secure the RibWorld licensing deal.

“Tony Roma’s is an iconic global brand known around the world for their signature ribs and BBQ products, and we are delighted to have been selected as Tony Roma’s first licensee in Europe,” said John Walshe, Managing Director of the M&M Walshe Group. “Like Tony Roma’s, RibWorld and the M&M Walshe companies have built a strong reputation for bringing retailers and consumers the highest quality, best tasting ribs and protein products.  We are thrilled to work with the Tony Roma’s team to introduce their one-of-a-kind ribs and BBQ products to retail customers in Europe, and look forward to a long-term relationship with Romacorp.”

About Romacorp, Inc.

Romacorp, Inc., is the parent company of Tony Roma’s restaurants, the world’s largest casual dining concept specializing in ribs. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Romacorp, Inc. has more than 150 restaurant locations in more than 30 countries and is one of the most globally recognizable names in the industry. The first Tony Roma’s restaurant opened more than 40 years ago in North Miami, Florida. For more information about Romacorp, Inc. and Tony Roma’s, visit www.tonyromas.com.

Please visit www.tonyromasfranchise.com or call (866) 981-0586 for information about Tony Roma’s franchising opportunities.

For information about retail sales licensing opportunities with the Tony Roma’s brand, contact Bill Cross, SVP, Broad Street Licensing Group at (973) 655-0598.

Media Contact:

Esther McIlvain

Uproar PR for Romacorp, Inc.

(321) 236-0102 x 230

emcilvain@uproarpr.com