NEW YORK – Original SoupMan, Inc., creator of the Zagat-rated soups of Al Yeganeh, the legendary soup man who inspired the “Soup Episode” on Seinfeld, has raised $3.4 million in debt and amended its original offering to $5 million, according to an SEC filing. 69 investors participated.

“The Original Soup Man” franchises and kiosks are in 500 cities with a goal of 1,000 throughout the United States and Canada. According to Nation’s Restaurant News, the company is repositioning itself to become more of a fast-casual, deli-style sandwich concept. In 2005, a retail line of “heat-n-serve” soups became available at select grocery stores across the country. In 2007, Original SoupMan teamed up with gourmet ice-cream concept Cold Stone Creamery to create a co-branded franchise. Among the company’s investors is Baseball Hall of Famer, Reggie Jackson, who is the Chairman of the Original SoupMan Charitable Foundation “Soup for Life”.

Mr. Yeganeh founded his original soup restaurant on 55th Street and Eighth Avenue in Manhattan in 1984, and closed it in 2006. The restaurant reopened this July to crowds willing to queue up for hours. According to Reuters – July 20, 2010, Jerry Seinfeld is banned from the restaurant ever since the 1995 episode which made Yeganeh infamous as the “soup nazi”. Yeganeh’s “Rules” requiring customers to “Pick the soup you want! Have your money ready! and Move to the extreme left after ordering!” are now posted in 11 languages.

Listed in the filing are CEO Arnold Casale; Robert Bertrand, president and CFO; Seb Rametta, founder and executive VP; and Daniel Rubano, executive chef.

Contact:
Sebastian Rametta
Founder
The Original SoupMan
110 South Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10314
212-768-7687