Fresh & Easy opens 50th store

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market today opened its 50th store, located in Palm Desert, Calif. Fresh & Easy debuted in the United States in November 2007, and in that time has opened stores throughout the Western region of the country.

The company currently operates stores in Southerm California, Nevada and Arizona. Fresh & Easy announced last month that it would expand into Northern California, with 18 stores in the Bay Area slated to begin opening in 2009. An announcement of store locations in the Sacramento region will occur by the end of the month.

Fresh & Easy will open an additional three stores by the end of the week -- one in North Las Vegas and two in Henderson, Nevada.

"Opening our 50th Fresh & Easy is an important milestone for us," said ceo Tim Mason. "We are very encouraged by the response from our customers and new neighbors. We are excited to continue bringing fresh, wholesome food at affordable prices to all types of neighborhoods."