Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Announces the Appointment of Rhonda J. Parish as General Counsel and Secretary

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group (Nasdaq:BAGL), a leader in the quick-casual segment of the restaurant industry, today announced that the appointment of Rhonda J. Parish as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, effective immediately. Ms. Parish succeeds Jill Sisson, who had announced her retirement in August 2009, but remained available to the Company until her successor was named.

Ms. Parish most recently served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Denny's Corporation and its predecessor companies from 1998 to 2008, after joining the company in 1995 as Vice President, Legal Counsel. Prior to this, Ms. Parish served as Assistant General Counsel for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. from 1990 to 1994, and Corporate Counsel from 1983 to 1990. Ms. Parish started her career as an Associate at Pettus, Johnson & Gibson and Storey & McCord, respectively.

Ms. Parish earned a B.S. degree in Political Science from the University of Central Arkansas and her J.D. degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law. Ms. Parish is a member of the American Bar Association, the South Carolina Bar Association, the Arkansas Bar Association, and the Arkansas Bar Association House of Delegates.

Jeff O'Neill, Chief Executive Officer and President of Einstein Noah, stated, "I am delighted to have Rhonda as a key partner on our Executive Leadership team. With her extensive background in the restaurant and retail industries, Rhonda brings a knowledge, expertise, and perspective that will make her a valuable asset to the Einstein Noah Restaurant Group."

Rhonda Parish stated, "I am excited to be joining Einstein Noah to help guide the Company's key business and growth initiatives and to lead its regulatory and legal requirements. I believe that Einstein Noah has a very exciting future and look forward to being a part of its continued success."

About Einstein Noah Restaurant Group

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group is a leading company in the quick casual restaurant industry that operates locations primarily under the Einstein Bros.(R) Bagels and Noah's New York Bagels(R) brands and primarily franchises locations under the Manhattan Bagel(R) brand. The company's retail system consists of more than 600 restaurants, including more than 100 license locations, in 36 states plus the District of Columbia. It also operates a dough production facility. The company's stock is traded under the symbol BAGL. Visit www.einsteinnoah.com for additional information.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc.

CONTACT:  ICR
Investor Relations
Tom Ryan
203-682-8200
tryan@icrinc.com
Raphael Gross
203-682-8200
rgross@icrinc.com
Einstein Noah Restaurant Group
Rick Dutkiewicz, Chief Financial Officer
303-568-8004
rdutkiewicz@einsteinnoah.com

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