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Interstate Batteries Purchases Battery Patrol Assets

17 January 2000

Interstate Batteries Purchases Battery Patrol Assets

    DALLAS, Jan. 14 -- Interstate Battery System International,
Inc.'s newly-formed subsidiary, Retail Acquisition and Development,
Incorporated (RAD, Inc.), has acquired substantially all of the assets of John
Willemsen Corporation (JWC), including 100% equity interest in Battery Patrol
Franchising, LLC.
    Battery Patrol Franchising is the franchiser of Battery Patrol retail
stores, which sell batteries and related products.  Battery Patrol Franchising
ceased offering new franchises during the negotiation and completion of the
transaction, and it has no present intention of resuming the sale of any
additional franchises.  Battery Patrol Franchising will continue to fulfill
its contractual obligations to the Battery Patrol franchisees.  RAD, Inc.'s
newly-formed subsidiary, Interstate Battery Franchising & Development, Inc.
(IBFAD), has announced that it will begin the franchising of retail battery
stores under the "Interstate" mark.  These Interstate franchise stores will
sell a full line of batteries.
    "This exciting new franchise concept is part of Interstate's strategic
vision for the future to sell all types of batteries for every need," said
Dennis Brown, President of RAD, Inc.  "Our research shows that the market for
batteries that power electronic devices, such as cellular telephones and
portable computers, is growing much faster than the market for Interstate's
traditional automotive and marine batteries."
    IBFAD is finalizing its franchise offering circular, which it expects to
complete in the next several weeks.  Once it is completed (and, where
required, registered), IBFAD will begin to offer franchise opportunities
nationwide.  IBFAD will first offer franchises to qualified, existing
Interstate Batteries independent distributors, before making offers to others
in the distributor's area.
    "The independent distributors of Interstate Batteries have been an
important part of our past success," said Tommy Miller, President and CEO of
Interstate Battery System International.  "We are extremely pleased that we
will be able to offer qualified distributors this opportunity to participate
in this new channel of distribution for the future."