BEIJING, Nov. 5, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNET) (the "Company"), a leading B2B (business to business) Internet technology company focusing on providing online-to-offline ("O2O") sales channel expansion services for small and medium-sized enterprises ("SMEs") and entrepreneurial management and networking services for entrepreneurs in the People's Republic of China, today announced that the Company's subsidiary, Liansuo.com, signed an agreement with Beijing Origus Food Co., Ltd.("Origus") to help expand Origus' franchise in China and internationally.
"This is an important new client for Liansuo.com," explained George Chu, Chief Operating Officer of ChinaNet. "Origus established a strong brand name in China and expanded to over 100 franchised stores domestically. We will help them further accelerate their franchise expansion in China and abroad."
Origus, a pioneer of the pizza buffet concept in China, was founded in 1998. It has grown from its original location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to hundreds of locations in more than 20 provinces in China. Separate from the buffet, Origus also provides other dining options, including corporate catering and take-out. Origus was a designated caterer of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Press Center. Liansuo.com will provide online advertising and marketing to help Origus further increase its brand recognition among consumers and entrepreneurs and open more franchise restaurants in second and third tier cities in China.
About ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.
The Company, a parent company of ChinaNet Online Media Group Ltd., incorporated in the BVI ("ChinaNet"), is a leading B2B (business to business) Internet technology company focusing on providing O2O (online to offline) sales channel expansion service for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurial management and networking service for entrepreneurs in China. The Company, through certain contractual arrangements with operating companies in the PRC, provides Internet advertising and other services for Chinese SMEs via its portal websites, 28.com, Liansuo.com and Chuangye.com, TV commercials and program production via China-Net TV, and in-house LCD advertising on banking kiosks targeting Chinese banking patrons. Website: http://www.chinanet-online.com.