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Hard Rock Cafe to Open 15 Restaurants Worldwide in 1998
- 9 U.S. and 6 International Cafes to Open -
 

ORLANDO, Fla., May 6, 1998 - Hard Rock Cafe International Inc. today announced plans to open 15 restaurants around the world in 1998, as part of its aggressive global growth strategy. Of the 15 restaurants set to open, nine Cafes will be U.S.-based in cities such as Cleveland, Salt Lake City and St. Louis, and the remaining 6 will open internationally in various locations including Rome, Amsterdam and Edinburgh.

"We are proud to bring the Hard Rock experience -- great food, hospitality and the excitement of rock 'n' roll -- to even more people all over the world," said Jim Berk, president and chief executive officer of Hard Rock Café International, Inc. "The opening of these 15 new restaurants is especially exciting in that it signifies not only the growth of the company, but also the sense of vitality and community generated by rock 'n' roll in cities across the globe."

Hard Rock Cafe is also continuing to leverage the Hard Rock brand in a number of other new ventures. This year, Hard Rock announced a global alliance with the NBA to open at least 10 NBA restaurants around the world in the next three years, representing the first time Hard Rock has leveraged its global expertise in the restaurant management business to create a new concept. The company also recently launched a new line of Hard Rock Beer that will be available in Hard Rock Cafes and retail stores nationwide.

Hard Rock Cafe first opened its doors in London in 1971. Since then, the company has become a global phenomenon combining rock 'n' roll music sensibilities, an unparalleled collection of music memorabilia from the world's top artists, classic American food, and a commitment to widespread altruistic causes.

The Cafes are home to the largest collection of music memorabilia in the world with over 45,000 items, and host live music performances by the most highly respected and cutting edge musicians from around the world. In addition, Hard Rock Cafe sells an array of signature Hard Rock merchandise including T-shirts, hats, jackets, watches, sunglasses, and pins, which are collected by die hard fans around the world.
 

Following is a list of Hard Rock Cafes set to open worldwide in 1998:
1ST QUARTER, 1998
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (opened Jan. 16)
2ND QUARTER, 1998
Edinburgh, Scotland (opened April 19)
Lake Tahoe, California
Salt Lake City, Utah
Ankara, Turkey
3RD QUARTER, 1998
Cleveland, Ohio
Kona, Hawaii
San Diego, California
St. Louis, Missouri
Sai Pan
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
4TH QUARTER, 1998
Denver, Colorado
Rome, Italy
Orlando, Florida
New York, New York (re-launch)
Amsterdam, Holland

In 1971, Hard Rock Cafe was founded by Issac Tigrett and Peter Morton at Hyde Park Corner, London,
introducing the English to good, wholesome American food. More than just a family restaurant, Hard Rock Cafe
became Europe's first American experience as well as the "Home of Rock 'n' Roll" for the British
entertainment industry.

Hard Rock Cafe opened its second restaurant in 1984 in New York. It soon became a landmark in the "Big
Apple" and gained a reputation for its celebrity events and clientele consisting of personalities from the music,
film, theatre, sports and publishing industries. In 1990, HRC Holdings, a subsidiary of Hotel Properties
Limited, acquired the franchise for Asia and, to date, has opened ten Hard Rock Cafes in Singapore, Bangkok,
Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bali, Taipei, Hong Kong, Kowloon, Beijing and Makati, Philippines. Plans are
underway to open more Hard Rock Cafes in the region, of which Shanghai, Guangzhou and Seoul are included.

Since the founding of Hard Rock Cafe in 1971, the menu has remained largely the same but is always
improving. Hard Rock's signature goodies include the Pig Sandwich, Buffalo Wings, BBQ Pork Ribs, HRC's
BLT, Grilled Fajitas, and its famous burgers with all kinds of relishes. Topping the menu are its outrageous
desserts including home-made Brownies, Hot Fudge Sundaes, and thick fountain shakes. In addition to the
traditional Hard Rock Cafe menu, there is also a selection of local flavours available in the respective countries.
Hard Rock Cafe also boasts an extensive list of beverages and an interesting line-up of specially cocktails like
Screaming Bikinis, Hurricanes and Long Island Teas.

Another trademark, Hard Rock Cafe has acquired the world's greatest and largest collection of music industry
memorabilia ever assembled, resulting in a reputation as the "Smithsonian of Rock 'n' Roll." Memorabilia are
acquired through auctions in London and New York, via a community of collectors as well as direct from the
artists.

Each Hard Rock Cafe hosts periodic memorabilia 'dedications' when rare articles are donated for display to a
location and some are even periodically rotated internationally for the enjoyment of all. Individual Cafes are also
actively acquiring memorabilia direct from visiting artists. For example, Hard Rock Cafe Singapore has added
to their collections, memorabilia from Eric Clapton, BB King, Kenny G and Paul Simon in recent years.
Hard Rock Cafe International, Inc. owns and/or franchises a worldwide network of 86 Hard Rock Cafes in 30 countries. Now with international control of the Hard Rock brand, Hard Rock has expanded into television with the Hard Rock Live weekly music series on VH-1, a Hard Rock Records music label, Hard Rock Live performance venues, Hard Rock Beer, Hard Rock Hotel Beach Clubs, and the recently announced alliance with the National Basketball Association to create the NBA restaurant concept.

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Contact:
Fiona McRobert
212-489-0434
Maeve McDonald
011-44-171-629-0382
Hard Rock Cafe
Michelle Schwartz
Rubenstein Associates
212-843-8000
 

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