Long John Silver’s Announces out-of-this world offer: If NASA finds Ocean water on Mars, America gets Free Giant Shrimp at Long John Silver’s

Long John Silver’s Eyes Martian Landscape for Building Sites

With NASA’s Mars Rover “Opportunity” making a successful landing in Meridiani Planum on Sunday, January 25, America now has a second opportunity to enjoy free Giant Shrimp from Long John Silver’s.

Long John Silver’s announced on January 16 that it will give America free Giant Shrimp if NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover project finds conclusive evidence of an ocean on Mars by February 29, 2004. With the successful landing of a second Rover, America can now pull for either “Spirit” or “Opportunity” to find conclusive evidence of an ocean.

According to NASA information, the Meridiani Planum region was selected because of extensive deposits of a mineral called crystalline hematite, which usually forms in the presence of liquid water. Plans call for “Opportunity” to climb out of the small crater in which it landed, and explore a nearby larger crater that may reveal more clues to the Red Planet’s past.

“We continue to root for NASA in their efforts to find conclusive evidence of ocean water on Mars,” said Mike Baker, Chief Marketing Officer for Long John Silver’s, Inc. “With the successful landing of a second Rover, we’re thrilled that America has even more opportunity to enjoy free Giant Shrimp from Long John Silver’s.”

Long John Silver’s President Steve Davis recently sent a letter to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, expressing support for NASA’s efforts to find conclusive evidence of an ocean on Mars. Davis also announced plans to provide free Giant Shrimp to America if either “Spirit” or “Opportunity” uncover conclusive evidence of ocean water.

In the letter, Long John Silver’s officially registered interest in becoming the first seafood restaurant on Mars. In fact, Baker and his team are already scouting the surface for development opportunities.

“We are thrilled to see these unbelievable images from the Red Planet,” Baker said. “We have our development team looking closely at the Martian landscape for potential building sites. From what we’ve seen, there is plenty of prime real estate available.”

Long John Silver’s new Giant Shrimp are huge, measuring nearly a half-foot long. Consumers can buy the new Giant Shrimp at the chain’s more than 1,250 restaurants beginning February 16, 2004. If NASA announces the discovery of conclusive evidence of an ocean on Mars prior to February 29, 2004, America gets free Giant Shrimp at participating Long John Silver’s restaurants on Monday, March 15, 2004.

The company will rely on top scientific experts leading NASA’s Athena Science Payload Investigation team to ultimately provide an official declaration if conclusive evidence of an ocean has been found on Mars. Long John Silver’s will look to the team’s Principal Investigator Steven Squyres and Deputy Principal Investigator Ray Arvidson to provide official news on NASA’s Mars exploration web site at http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov.

In addition, consumers can find updates on NASA’s progress and join in the hunt for ocean water on Mars by visiting www.ljsilvers.com.

Long John Silver’s has purchased an insurance policy to cover the anticipated cost of the free Giant Shrimp redemption, should NASA announce the discovery of conclusive evidence of an ocean on Mars between now and February 29, 2004. In the event NASA makes an official announcement that conclusive evidence of an ocean has been discovered on Mars prior to that date, every person in the U.S. will have an opportunity to obtain one free Giant Shrimp at participating Long John Silver’s restaurants in the United States. Redemption will take place on Monday, March 15, 2004, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Additional information and offer details will be made available to consumers on the Long John Silver’s web site and in press materials, should this event occur.

For purposes of Long John Silver’s offer, an ocean is defined as a single body of water, the surface area of which equals or exceeds five million square kilometers. See official rules at www.ljsilvers.com for details.

Long John Silver’s, Inc. based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the world’s most popular quick-service seafood chain specializing in a variety of seafood items including batter-dipped fish, chicken, shrimp and hushpuppies. Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Treasure Island, Long John Silver’s, Inc. was founded in 1969 in response to growing consumer demand for quick-service seafood. Today, there are more than 1,250 Long John Silver’s, Inc. restaurants worldwide serving nearly four million customers each week. Long John Silver’s, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE: YUM) the world’s largest restaurant company in terms of system units with approximately 33,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and territories. The Long John Silver’s web site is www.ljsilvers.com.