GOLD STAR CHILI OPENS NEW MIDDLETOWN LOCATION

New Facility Doubles Seating & Introduces New Menu Items

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio - (August 3, 2004) - Gold Star Chili unveiled a brand new restaurant after 28 years the Middletown community. The Middletown Gold Star Chili is located at 449 Oxford State Road directly behind the site of Middletown’s original Gold Star Chili location. The new restaurant seats over 100, more than doubling the restaurant’s capacity. It also has expanded parking and offers a convenient drive-thru window.

In addition to traditional Gold Star Chili favorites such as cheese coneys, 3-ways, Tex Mex Chili, nachos and chili cheese fries, the Middletown Gold Star Chili features an expanded menu that includes cheeseburgers, chiliburgers, grilled, BBQ, and crispy chicken sandwiches and a grilled chicken salad.

"We have enjoyed the support of our loyal customers in Middletown for over 25 years," said Hatem Shteiwi, franchise-owner. "We are excited to be able to give them the best possible experience at Gold Star Chili with this bigger and more comfortable facility."

Shteiwi and his staff invited the Middletown Division of Fire and Monroe Fire Departments to "take over" the restaurant along with local officials and other special guests on the evening of August 3 for a special grand opening dinner and celebration. The restaurant officially opened to the public on August 4, 2004.

A "Take Over Team" is chosen for every new Gold Star Chili opening recognizing an organization that makes significant contributions to its community. Middletown’s Fire Division and the Monroe Fire Department were selected for their efforts to promote fire safety and prevention in the Middletown community. Both fire fighting organizations actively promote fire safety and prevention education in the area’s schools.

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Established in 1965, Gold Star Chili has more than 100 restaurants located throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana and has supported fire safety prevention and education as corporate-wide philanthropy since 1995. For more information about Gold Star Chili and its fire safety initiatives visit www.goldstarchili.com.