FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11th, 2005
Contact: Tyler Fray 704.944.5176
tfray@firebirdsrockymountaingrill.com

FIREBIRDS® OPENS NEW STORE IN NORTH HILLS, RALEIGH, NC

Raleigh, NC (April 11th, 2005)
Firebirds Rocky Mountain Grill, a Charlotte-based restaurant group, opened its ninth location nationwide at North Hills in Raleigh, NC on Monday, April 11th.

Bold southwest flavors incorporated with aged, hand cut steaks, prime rib, fresh seafood, rotisserie chicken, homemade pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads are signature items for the restaurant. The 6,800 square foot store is reminiscent of a Colorado ski lodge with an open-air kitchen, high vaulted ceilings, exposed wooden beams and an expansive stone fireplace in the bar area. The restaurant seats approximately 225 guests. Outdoor patio dining will be available.

Local restaurant executive John Thomas has been named managing partner of the store. Previously, Mr. Thomas was the general manager at two popular Cary restaurants including the Blue Marlin for 3 years and J. Gilbert’s for 2 years. Prior to that he was the General Manager for 8 years at the Lone Star the Steakhouse & Saloon on Wake Forest Road. “We have been waiting for this project to come to fruition for several years now,” says Mr. Thomas. “Firebirds is exactly the caliber of restaurant the Raleigh area really needs we are very excited to be opening at North Hills.”

Adam Smith, another Raleigh native has been named as chef and will lead a culinary team of more than 50. Chef Smith comes to Firebirds from George’s Garage where he was the executive chef for local restaurateur Georgio Bakasias. Chef Smith was an executive sous chef at Maggiano’s Little Italy at the Streets at Southpoint in Durham, NC. He also served as sous chef for 3 years at North Ridge Country Club. Chef Smith is an active member of the Triangle Chef’s Association of the American Culinary Federation.

Prior to opening to the public, Firebirds partnered with Hospice of Wake County on Thursday, March 7th from 6:00pm-8:30pm. Guests were invited to “Take a Taste of Colorado” before the restaurant opened to the community. The evening featured an array of Firebirds signature appetizers and desserts as well as complimentary beer and wine. Proceeds totaled $10,785 dollars, of which Firebirds donated 100% to Hospice of Wake County.

“Firebirds is deeply committed to every community we enter,” says Rob Kendall, president of Firebirds. “We are passionate about inspiring people within our organization and are very excited to have been ‘Partners in Caring’ on this very special night with Hospice of Wake County, the largest private non-profit hospice agency in the area. For over 25 years they have positively enriched the lives of those in the community and Firebirds is proud to be part of their fundraising efforts.”

Firebirds Raleigh location is the third North Carolina location since the opening of its flagship store in Charlotte, NC (December 2000) and Durham, NC (March 2002). The concept has additional stores in the following markets: Richmond, VA; Phoenix-Peoria, AZ; Memphis-Bartlett, TN; Tucson, AZ; Phoenix-Chandler, AZ and Birmingham-Hoover, AL. In addition to several other sites under selection and negotiation Firebirds Omaha, NE location is under currently construction with a tentative opening date of June 2005.