Sleep Train Acquires Christian's Mattress Xpress; Enters Fresno and Bakersfield Markets

    SEATTLE, WA, September 21, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Sleep Train (www.sleeptrain.com), the number one West Coast mattress store and number four nationwide, today announced that it has acquired Christian's Mattress Xpress, which has stores in Visalia and Fresno, and a warehouse with an outlet store in Fowler. As part of the company's strategic plans to expand its popular brand into new markets throughout the state, Sleep Train will open these three stores along with at least one more new store in the area this year and 4-5 new stores in 2012.

Christian's Mattress Xpress was established in 1992 as Christian's Solid Wood Furniture and became a full line mattress store in 2007. Sleep Train's acquisition of the company will convert the Mattress Xpress stores into brand new Sleep Train stores by November 2011. Founder of Mattress Xpress, Ron Gonzalez will be retained to oversee and support the transition of the stores. "It's an incredible opportunity for my team," said Gonzalez. "They will join one of the few employee-owned companies in the United States, become part of a talented team that represents the largest mattress retail brand on the West Coast, and be able to contribute to their community through an award winning philanthropic program."

Sleep Train recently joined the ranks of select companies nationwide to create an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and become one of few employee-owned companies. Sleep Train is recognized by consumers for offering the best selection of brand name mattresses at guaranteed low prices, a highly trained staff to guide shoppers through the mattress buying experience, and its commitment to the community with its award-winning Sleep Train Foster Kids Program.

"Our goal is to continue to grow our business through acquisition and new store openings," said Dale Carlsen, CEO of Sleep Train. "This expansion will bring Sleep Train into two of the top ten largest cities in the state, as well as the fast-growing community of Visalia. With economic conditions improving, we saw an opportunity to expand our reach into a brand new region where demand is high for quality sleep products and a superior shopping experience. We are also thrilled to bring our admired Foster Kids program to the region, drawing support from these new communities, and in turn giving back even more to our foster organization partners that aid foster children statewide."

Sleep Train's commitment to customer service and broad selection of brand name mattresses, including Simmons Beautyrest, Sealy Posturepedic, Stearns & Foster, Tempur-Pedic, and Serta, at the lowest price - guaranteed - earned it recent recognition as the "Best Mattress Store in the Inland Empire" by the Los Angeles Times' 1st Annual Readers' Choice Award, and #1 "Best Mattress" Store by KCRA's A-List in Sacramento and Best of Baylist for consecutive years. The company's Sleep Train Foster Kids Program recently received the nationally-selected Daily Point of Light award for creating meaningful change in its community, donating more than 300,000 important material items like clothes, shoes, school supplies, pajamas and gifts during the holidays, and more than $960,000 in cash to foster organization partners for foster children in the state.

Sleep Train is part of the Sleep Train Enterprise which currently boasts more than 230 retail locations along the West Coast. The company's addition of another distribution center in this new market will allow customers in Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield to choose its popular same-day delivery service. For more information on the company or to find a specific store location, please visit the store locator at www.sleeptrain.com or call 1-800-378-BEDS (2337).

About Sleep Train
Sleep Train Mattress Centers, an award winning, employee-owned company, is ranked the #1 bedding specialist on the West Coast. Sleep Train offers customers superior service by professional and knowledgeable sleep consultants and the best selection of famous brands, such as Simmons Beautyrest, Sealy Posturepedic, Tempur-Pedic, Stearns & Foster, and Serta, as well as premium adjustable beds, futons, and wood and metal accent beds at the guaranteed lowest prices. Sleep Train's award-winning Foster Kids Program actively contributes to its community through ongoing donation drives that benefit the area's nearly 60,000 foster children. Sleep Train is part of the Sleep Train Enterprise that boasts more than 150 retail locations throughout California, and over 230 locations along the West Coast. Sleep Train is Your Ticket to a Better Night's Sleep. For more information, please visit www.sleeptrain.com or call 1-800-378-BEDS.

Media Contacts:
Revolution PR for Sleep Train
Jennifer Karkar Ritchie, (206) 932-2454, [email protected]
Aaron Hilst, (206) 355-3506, [email protected]

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