Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June, 22, 1999

AAFD Coop & PurchasePro.Com Create e-Commerce Marketplace for Franchise Owners

San Diego, CA (June 22, 1999) The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers Purchasing Cooperative and PurchasePro.Com, a Nevada based e-Commerce solutions provider, announced today an agreement to build an e-Commerce marketplace for thousands of AAFD Co-op members. Users will be able to complete the bulk of their purchasing needs over the Internet, taking advantage of group purchasing discounts and vendor rebates.

"The AAFD Co-op e-Commerce marketplace will construct a full line of products and services for each vertical market represented by our membership," explained Guy Lafrance, the AAFD Co-op General Manager. Lafrance added, "Our markets are usually defined by a specific trademark, for example our first program was designed for the Independent Association of GNC Franchisees. Our products can be trademark specific or generic. Our members will literally be able to address all of their purchasing needs."

The AAFD Co-op, which commenced operations this past March (after 2 years of planning and development) is designed to effect volume purchasing across a wide range of vertical markets. Comprehensive programs for the restaurant and hospitality industries are already in place, with significant product sourcing also available in the Automotive service and Nutritional supplement markets.

According to AAFD-Co-op President, Mark Zuckerman, the AAFD Co-op e-Commerce marketplace will revolutionize purchasing practices for hundreds of thousands of franchised owned small businesses. "Co-op members will be able to sit at their computer at night in the comfort of their homes and complete their daily or weekly purchasing, taking advantage of group pricing negotiated for their specific benefit. We negotiate volume pricing and patronage dividends and rebates from our suppliers for the benefit of our Co-op owner/members."

By partnering with PurchasePro.Com, the AAFD Co-op has linked to a leading provider of e-Commerce markets. PurchasePro subsidiary, Hospitality Purchasing Systems (HPS), has emerged as a major purchasing source for the hospitality industry. PurchasePro.com with it's Virtual Private Network, cost-reducing system of communication and transactions efficiency in which AAFD Co-op can gauge results on costs and reevaluate utilized vendors.

Said Zuckerman, "We selected PurchasePro.com as our e-Commerce provider after reviewing many alternatives. PurchasePro.com was head and shoulders above their competitors, both in content, ease of navigation, tracking capabilities, and by virtue of their already significant presence in two key markets." Added Lafrance, "This will give the AAFD Co-op a tremendous boost in bringing immediate value to our members."

PurchasePro.com's original patent-pending software and proprietary network directly links buyers with sellers' products and services. In doing so, PurchasePro.com propels the sales and purchasing processes, reduces bureaucracy and increases efficiency. The network provides users with secure bid management and retrieval, automatically issues and receives purchase orders, product and company information, Website links and access to vendor electronic catalogs and brochures. PurchasePro.com has been successful in c onnecting the large hotels in its home base of Las Vegas to a wealth of vendors. Hotels and casinos including Mirage Resorts, MGM Grand, Luxor Hotel & Casino and Treasure Island have joined and use the PurchasePro.com network with great success. The Company was recently awarded the Microsoft forth annual Retail Application Developer (RAD) Award.

PurchasePro.com has enjoyed rapid growth at least partially because it is easy to use, working within the popular Windows? format. In addition, the Company provides extensive support and training options. For more information, call the AAFD toll free at 1.800.733.9858.

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers is the oldest and largest direct member non-profit trade association representing the interests of franchisees and independent dealer networks throughout the United States. Stressing market solutions and franchisee empowerment through independent franchisee associations, the AAFD has grown to represent more than 12,000 franchised businesses nationwide.

For more information, contact the AAFD at 800-733-9858, or visit our website.