Signing of Largest Café Wi-Fi Contract Solidifies Wireless "HotSpot" Trend In Canada

New partnership announced between NetWireless, a division of Hartco Corporation (TSX: HCC) and Cara Operations Limited, for their Second Cup café chain.

Calgary (PRWEB) July 27, 2003 - A new partnership announced between NetWireless, a division of Hartco Corporation (TSX: HCC) and Cara Operations Limited, for their Second Cup café chain, signals that wireless networking in public spaces has truly arrived in Canada. Second Cup is Canada's largest specialty coffee retailer with close to 400 cafés coast to coast, making the partnership between NetWireless and Cara the largest of its kind in Canada.

Cara will use Wi-Fi technology from NetWireless to turn its Second Cup locations in Canada into wireless "HotSpots"- allowing café customers to use their Wi-Fi equipped laptops and PDAs to access the Internet as they enjoy their lattés and muffins.

Darren Stokes, COO of NetWireless, says this program will significantly increase the number wireless hotspots in Canada, and thanks to Second Cup's extensive national network of cafés, will bring hotspots to areas of the country where none currently exist. "Canada lags badly behind the United States in availability of public hotspots for people using mobile technology. This partnership will help close the gap."

The HotSpot program will begin August 1 at 10 Second Cup locations in Toronto and two in Calgary followed by program rollout across the country.

For more information, contact:
NetWireless Darren Stokes Chief Operating Officer 403.703.4227
Second Cup Heather Ward Strategic Objectives 416. 366.7735

About NetWireless
NetWireless is a leading Canadian wireless data solution provider. NetWireless offers turnkey HotSpot solutions for public areas and integrated wireless data solutions to Canadian organizations. NetWireless is wholly owned by Hartco Corporation (TSX: HCC) and through it enjoys one of Canadas the largest support networks dedicated to information technology solutions. For more information, visit http://www.netwireless.ca

About Cara Operations Limited
With annual system sales in excess of $1.8 billion, Cara Operations Limited (TSX: CAO, CAO.A) is one of Canadas leading integrated restaurant companies, and the largest operator of full-service restaurants in Canada, providing employment and opportunity for approximately 39,000 Canadians in its owned and franchised operations.

Caras wholly owned businesses include Swiss Chalet; Harveys; Second Cup; Kelseys Neighbourhood Bar & Grill; Montanas Cookhouse; and as a franchisee, Outback Steakhouse Restaurants in eastern Canada; Cara Air Terminal Restaurant Division; Cara Airport Services Division; and Summit Food Service Distributors Inc.

Cara also owns 74 percent of Milestones Restaurants Inc., an upscale casual restaurant chain. Cara is a values-based organization. For more information, visit www.cara.com

About Second Cup
The Second Cup® is the leading specialty coffee retailer in Canada, offering the worlds finest coffees through close to 400 owner-operated cafés across the country and select marketing partners including Roots, Lindt and many Delta Hotels and Resort destinations. Second Cup is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cara Operations Limited, Canadas leading integrated restaurant company. For the Ultimate Coffee Experience online, visit http://www.secondcup.com