FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
John Gilvary
510-771-4232
johng@usms.com

U.S. Merchant Systems Becomes the Official Merchant Account Provider for Little Caesar’s Pizza

NEWARK, CA - March 22, 2004 - The Independent Organization of Little Caesars Franchisees, (IOLCF), has endorsed U.S. Merchant Systems as the merchant account and gift card provider of choice for their members. The USMS/IOLCF program includes aggressive rates for credit and debit card processing as well as a full service gift card program.

Credit and Debit card processing has become more prevalent among Quick Service Restaurants in recent years. According to Stuart Rosenbaum, CEO of USMS, “Our company has received information that Taco Bell average sales increase by as much as $1.00 or approximately 12-14% when they accept a credit card-more than enough to justify the cost.”

Mr. Rosenbaum recently wrote an article for the IOLCF quarterly members’ magazine, Toga Times, entitled “Credit, Debit and Gift Card Processing-What You Need to Know for Your Business”. In the article, he brought the Little Caesars franchisees up-to-date on the benefits and pitfalls surrounding these issues.