DALLAS - September 1, 2005 - La Madeleine Bakery, Café & Bistro today announced that it will contribute to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.  Now through September 30, la Madeleine bakeries in Texas will donate $1 from each heart-shaped Linzer cookie sold to the American Red Cross through its “Give Your Heart to New Orleans” initiative.

With the storm’s rampage affecting six la Madeleine locations, the company is connected to the region and is deeply concerned about its own families, friends and guests.  With the help of its Texas guests, la Madeleine hopes to provide the American Red Cross with a substantial monetary donation to bring relief to those in Louisiana.

“As soon as we learned of the tremendous destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans and our local bakeries, we knew that la Madeleine had to do something to help our families, friends and guests,” said Greg Buchanan, president of la Madeleine Bakery, Café and Bistro.  “Our hearts go out to all of those who were caught in the path of Katrina.”

Also, in response to Hurricane Katrina, la Madeleine has established the

la Madeleine Hurricane Relief Fund.  A donation from the company kicked off the effort through which la Madeleine’s associates can help their fellow employees.

About la Madeleine

la Madeleine Bakery, Café & Bistro serves authentic French country cuisine adapted for American tastes at 63 locations in nine U.S. markets.  Founded in 1983 as a boulangerie, or French-style bakery, la Madeleine has evolved into a neighborhood café and bistro where guests can enjoy a meal made from fresh, simple ingredients at their own pace.  la Madeleine has twice been named one of the “Top 10 Bakeries in the U.S.” by Bon Appetit and one of the “Top 50 Regional Powerhouse Chains” by Nation’s Restaurant News.  For more information, visit www.lamadeleine.com.