HOUSTON, TX -- (Marketwire) -- 04/20/09 -- Spicy Pickle(TM) fast casual restaurants announced the opening of its first location in Houston, TX on April 19, 2009, marking the fourth location in the state. The other locations are in the Austin area. The new restaurant will be located at 11611 Katy Freeway, Ste. B on the corner of Kirkwood and I-10. Spicy Pickle is nationally recognized for its signature panini and subs, served on handcrafted artisan breads, fresh salads and soups, all featuring natural ingredients without fillers, artificial flavors or MSG.

Spicy Pickle restaurants are at the forefront of today's fast casual dining trend, combining unique and innovative lunch and dinner items with prices that are below that of typical casual dining restaurants. Enter a Spicy Pickle restaurant and you'll feel immediately at home. Warm colors, a modern décor, and a contemporary "deli shop" atmosphere only add to the appeal of the chain's main event -- its excitingly different, chef-inspired menu.

"Spicy Pickle is all about uncompromising quality and service, plus healthy, premium ingredients," said Spicy Pickle co-founder and head "foodie" Kevin Morrison. "We start with fine artisan focaccia and ciabatta breads baked fresh daily, then add meats like our roast beef, capocolla, mortadella, or Sausalito turkey, just to name a few. And of course, each entrée is served with our signature spicy pickle, aged in a homemade brine of chilies and our secret blend of spices to give it just the right kick."

Guests can choose from an array of culinary sandwich creations developed by Spicy Pickle chefs, or they can elect to build their own masterpiece from twelve different meats, eight cheeses, twenty-two toppings and fourteen exclusive spreads prepared fresh daily.

Fresh soups and salads round out the restaurant's entrée selection. Try the spinach salad -- a mouth-watering mix of spinach, fresh apples, walnuts and crumbled bleu cheese served with apple cider vinaigrette -- or the Spicy Pickle tuna, featuring romaine lettuce and tuna mixed with chipotle mayo, spicy pickle relish, tomatoes and kalamata olives, dressed in a lemon-olive oil vinaigrette. Four other creative salads, as well as loaded baked potato, corn and green chili bisque and broccoli and cheddar soups complete the lineup.

"A Spicy Pickle is unlike any sandwich shop with premium quality and great value," noted Peter Forastiere, co-owner of the restaurant. "We're excited to be part of the greater Houston community and look forward to providing great service and imaginative, fresh menu choices for lunch or dinner."

Spicy Pickle's new Houston location is open 7 days a week. Hours are M-S 11am to 8pm and Sunday 11am to 7pm. All major credit cards are accepted, and a complete catering menu is also available. Call the restaurant at 281-679-9300 or go to www.spicypickle.com for more information.

The Spicy Pickle restaurant chain is comprised of 39 restaurants in 12 states, across the country. The chain, which opened in 1999, is the product of a partnership between Kevin Morrison and Tony Walker; both were chefs at the renowned Barolo Grill in Denver.

"The Spicy Pickle concept began when we were talking about the appeal of a sandwich shop that stayed true to great food, but with a friendly neighborhood feel," Walker recalled. "Since we're both food guys, quality is number one to us. The day we opened our first location in Denver, people began lining up to try our wide variety of menu choices and they've been coming ever since."

In addition to their in-store selections, Spicy Pickle restaurants offer a complete catering menu.

For more information about Spicy Pickle, log on to www.spicypickle.com.

About Spicy Pickle:

Founded in 1999, Spicy Pickle Franchising, Inc serves high quality meats and fine artisan breads, baked fresh daily, along with a wide choice of eight different cheeses, twenty-two different toppings, and fourteen proprietary spreads to create healthy and delicious panini and sub sandwiches with flavors from around the world. As a leading "fast-casual" concept, Spicy Pickle offers menu items that are far beyond traditional fast food -- but without the price point of casual dining. The hallmark of a Spicy Pickle restaurant is quality, service and an enjoyable atmosphere. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with franchise locations now open across twelve states and many more in development nationwide. To find out more about Spicy Pickle visit our website at www.spicypickle.com.