Pickups Plus to Expand Into Texas

    MASON, Ohio--May 1, 2002--Pickups Plus, Inc. (OTC BB: PUPS), a leading retailer and franchiser in the $30 billion truck and SUV aftermarket accessories industry, announced today that it has entered into a franchise agreement to open a franchise store in the Houston, Texas market.
    Sean Fitzgerald, Vice President, stated, "Texas is one of the largest markets in the U.S. for trucks and SUV's and we are very excited about the potential for this store and others that may follow. We believe that Texas represents an outstanding growth opportunity for Pickups Plus retail stores."
    Pickups Plus continues to experience outstanding growth. As noted in a previous press release, Pickups Plus' Columbus, Ohio franchisee experienced Sales in excess of $1 million in its first calendar year of operation. The success of Pickups Plus' Columbus, OH store is an excellent benchmark for the Company's newest franchises in Houston, Texas and Burlington, Washington, which are both expected to open early this summer.
    In addition, Pickups Plus' corporate stores continue to show strong results for 2002, with same store sales increase of 10% over the first quarter of 2001. They also experienced a 42% increase of revenues over the same period last year, due mainly to increases in marketing and the addition of the newly acquired store in Akron, OH. The Sharonville, Ohio store had record first quarter, with same store sales increase of 17% over the same period in 2001.
    According to a forecast from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), new car and light truck sales are expected to remain historically strong in 2002. Light trucks and SUVs account for 50% of American auto sales. In addition, the three top selling vehicles in North America are trucks or SUVs and five of the 10 best selling vehicles in North America are trucks or SUVs. Sean Fitzgerald stated, "Americans love their trucks and Americans love personalizing them. Market research reveals 90% of truck owners purchase aftermarket accessories and spend an average of $2,000 within three months of purchase. Every one of these truck owners is a potential customer for our stores where shoppers can choose from tens of thousands of after market automotive parts and accessories. After several years of extensive development and testing of our store concept, we intend to start a nationwide expansion in both corporate and franchise stores to become the first national chain in the growing and highly fragmented truck and SUV aftermarket accessory industry."

    About Pickups Plus

    Founded in 1993, Pickups Plus is a leading national franchiser of retail stores dedicated to the sale and installation of quality aftermarket accessories for pickup trucks and SUVs - a $30+ billion a year market. Pickups Plus currently operates three corporate retail stores and has another seven franchise stores, throughout seven states. After several years of extensive development and testing of its franchise system, the company is gearing up to start a nationwide expansion to be first-to-market in its growing, but highly fragmented industry made up almost entirely of small, independent, non-branded shops.

    This news release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which can cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are contained in the Company's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission available via Edgar. This release shall not constitute an offer to buy or sell shares of the Company's securities.