97-07-07 OSU Name Licensed to Restaurant

OHIO STATE, BUCKEYE HALL OF FAME CAFE "TEAM UP"

     COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University has entered into a
unique licensing agreement that will put the university in a
restaurant business partnership.  In what is thought to be the
first such arrangement for a university, Ohio State will license
its name to the "Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe."

     The restaurant will pay tribute to Ohio State's honored
tradition in athletics through the display of memorabilia from
past players and coaches.  The 20-year license agreement will
allow the restaurant rights to the university's trademarks and
trade names for interior and exterior design, and the sale of
Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe merchandise.

     "This is truly a unique situation for a university, and one
that we found very exciting right from the start," said Rick Van
Brimmer, assistant director of Trademark & Licensing Services at
Ohio State.  "We feel the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe is a logical
extension of the university's 'brand,' so to speak.  Fans, alumni
and visitors will find it to be an exciting tribute to our proud
athletic heritage, and an entertaining place to be, as well."

     The Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe occupies the former Jai Lai
restaurant location just south of the university at 1421
Olentangy River Road, and is expected to open this fall.  The
50,000 square foot "eatertainment" facility will feature a 250-
person dining area; a 12,000 square foot state-of-the art game
room with more than a million dollars worth of electronic and
sports related games; banquet facilities for 300 people; private
V.I.P. dining rooms; billiards; and a retail shop featuring Ohio
State and Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe merchandise.

     "The university's willingness to work with us in building an
Ohio State-themed facility is essential," says Jon Self,
president of the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe management group.
"You simply cannot promote the traditions of Ohio State
athletics, to the extent we hope to, without the university's
assistance.  This opportunity allows us to form a special
partnership and combine the resources of both groups to create an
exciting dining and entertainment experience."

     In exchange for the use of its name, the university will
receive royalty considerations from the sale of any merchandise
that bears the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe trademarks.  The parties
will also work together to support mutually beneficial events at
the facility, and the Cafe will partner with Ohio State's
Department of Human Nutrition and Food Management to offer
introductory and advanced internships to students enrolled in the
Hospitality Management program.

     Royalty income at Ohio State supports programming in Student
Affairs, Athletics and University Libraries, as well as the Name
and Seal Endowed Student Scholarship Fund.

                             #

Contacts: Jon Self, Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe, LLC (614) 268-7427
          Rick Van Brimmer, Ohio State University (614) 292-1562
          Kathie Boyuk, KMB Promotions (614) 527-0699.


[Submitted by: Von Vargas  (vargas.12@osu.edu)
               
Mon, 7 Jul 1997 10:07:50 -0400 (EDT)]
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