NEW YORK — NexCen Brands Inc. has opened a new state-of-the-art research and development facility for its quick-service restaurant businesses, the company has announced. The facility, which will be located at the company's manufacturing site in Atlanta, will be used to develop new products across its five franchised QSR brands: Great American Cookies, MaggieMoo's, Marble Slab Creamery, Pretzelmaker and Pretzel Time.
"We are delighted to open this new facility with the support of our vendors," said Kenneth J. Hall, CEO of NexCen Brands Inc. "We are committed to innovation as well as investment in research and development to remain ahead of industry trends. We are leveraging our resources and business partnerships to continue introducing unique products in the rapidly evolving QSR industry."
NexCen's QSR franchised brands are known for developing and launching original products such as the ice cream cupcake from MaggieMoo's, the pretzel dog and pretzel bites from Pretzelmaker/Pretzel Time, and the cookie cake from Great American Cookies, as well as innovative ice cream flavors from Marble Slab Creamery.
The new 1,200-square-foot facility features a test kitchen and provides the company with additional capabilities to produce new ice cream, cookies and pretzels products for each of its QSR franchised brands. Michael Curtis, vice president of plant operations has more than 30 years experience in food development and will oversee the test kitchen.
The facility is supported by NexCen's top vendors, including H.C. Brill Co., one of the largest bakery suppliers in the United States, Blommer Chocolate, a fully integrated chocolate and cocoa manufacturer, and Prairie Farms, a manufacturer and marketer of a full line of dairy food products.
Chris Dull, president of NexCen Franchise Management Inc., the franchising subsidiary of NexCen Brands, said, "This facility expands our research and development capabilities for our QSR businesses and provides us with opportunities to further support our franchisees."
