ATLANTA –August 1, 2007 – Atlanta-based Grill Ventures, Inc has earned the Green Restaurant Certification from the The Green Restaurant Association (GRA) for the newly opened My Panini restaurant. My Panini is the first restaurant in Georgia to earn the certification, which requires an annual commitment to numerous environmental, water and energy conservation initiatives, approved by the GRA. ( HYPERLINK "http://www.dinegreen.com" www.dinegreen.com) My Panini’s green statement includes: a Hybrid delivery vehicle for catering orders, recycling, biodegradable cups, dessert containers and flatware; energy efficient kitchen equipment including an Energy Star certified refrigeration system; water conservation and more. My Panini joins over 300 restaurants nationwide that have been certified by The Green Restaurant Association in support of the GRA mission to create an ecologically sustainable restaurant industry.

“A commitment to ecological sustainability was part of our vision for My Panini from the beginning,” said Grill Ventures’ President, Ned Barker. “We have the luxury of an entirely new concept, which allowed us to design our restaurant to specifications in support of GRA initiatives. Even still, an owner/operator must have a strong commitment. There are no shortcuts,” Barker added.

The first My Panini restaurant is located on Main Street in Lindbergh City Center off Piedmont Road. Expansion plans call for the first three My Panini restaurants to be located in Atlanta, GA, all of which will embrace the GRA requirements, including a commitment to introducing a minimum of four new sustainable initiatives each year.

“We find it particularly impressive that the GRA requires the adoption of new green initiatives every year. It just makes sense when you consider the innovations in conservation, energy efficiency and technology. Improvements and enhancements are around the corner and we want to incorporate them in the future,” said Barker.

My Panini customers are also getting the green message, with in-restaurant signage and other communications. Signs posing questions like, “What’s up with the boring cups?” are answered with copy stating: “Our plain white coffee cups and clear beverage cups are biodegradable. So is our disposable funky-looking flatware. We know they’re not as cute as they could be, but since they will disappear (as in never go to a landfill), we think they’re quite handsome. Here’s how you can help: Just imagine they have our really cool logo on them. Panini. People. Planet.”

“We don’t want to lecture to our customers. That’s not our intent. We just want them to know why certain things they may be accustomed to, like Styrofoam, for instance, are not in our design,” said Barker. “The environment is important to us, but so are our customers. They get it and seem to appreciate our efforts, especially since there’s no compromise to their dining experience.”

About My Panini
My Panini specializes in prepared-to-order, hot pressed sandwiches and fresh salads and offers restaurant guests a customized menu ordering system for a uniquely personalized experience through the “Doughnini” card program. The My Panini full-flavored menu features artisan cheeses and house made sauces, plus several signature panini including Steakanini,™ which is loaded with medium-rare roast beef, caramelized onion, roasted garlic Cheddar and Swiss cheeses, roasted red pepper and wasabi-Dijon aioli. The lower-calorie Bikini Panini™ category features a Veggie Bikini with portabello mushroom or the Turkey Bikini, which is filled with avocado, provolone and sweet pepper cheddar cheeses, roasted red tomato and wrapped in a tomato-basil tortilla. Other signature Panini include: Chicken with Attitude and the Ultimate Grilled cheese. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 11 am until 10 pm, serving lunch, dinner and catering. My Panini is owned and operated by Atlanta-based Grill Ventures, Inc. For more information: HYPERLINK "http://www.bestpanini.com" www.bestpanini.com
About Grill Ventures, Inc.
Atlanta based Grill Ventures, Inc serves the restaurant and hospitality industries with services such as: concept and menu development; menu engineering, merchandising, marketing, and materials training programs; cost analysis and service audits.

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