Payless Acquires Corporate Stores for Car Rental

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--May 9, 2002--Avalon Global Group, Inc. announced today the first-ever acquisition of two Payless Car Rental locations in Tampa and Orlando. Avalon Global Group is the parent company of Payless Car Rental System, Inc.
    "Our success at selling franchises underscores our need to also be in the business of operating a franchise in order to remain innovative and responsive to the challenges of today's market," said Michael Harley, president, Avalon Global Group. "This is the first time we've purchased franchises to operate as corporate stores."
    James L. Shapiro, a licensee of Payless Car Rental and president of the Association for Car and Truck Rental Independents and Franchisees (ACTIF), previously owned the locations.
    The corporate locations will serve as showrooms for products and services for new franchise prospects. In addition, training and product testing will be conducted at these locations.
    The Payless Car Rental in Orlando will feature a fleet of over 1,000 vehicles and the Tampa location will feature over 200 vehicles. Both are located off airport property and provide valet parking with shuttle service to the airport terminal.
    Payless Car Rental is a privately held corporation headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida. There are over 135 worldwide car rental locations in 13 countries. Over the past 30 years, Payless Car Rental has grown to an international company servicing major airports, resorts, metropolitan cities and suburban areas worldwide.
    For more information, visit their Web site at http://www.PaylessCarRental.com or call 1-800-Payless within the US and Canada, or 727/321-6352 from all other countries.

    NOTE TO EDITOR:

    Michael Harley headshot - High resolution, downloadable photo is available at http://pcrasp.paylesscarrental.com/press/ArchiveONE.asp?ID=87