ATLANTA, Aug. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- US Highland/CRUZANI www.CRUZANI.com (OTC:UHLN), a business development company that builds and acquires franchise concepts, as well as other related businesses, throughout the United States and internationally, announced today that its Chairman and CEO, Everett Dickson, is retiring 250 million shares of his own common stock to the company treasury. This change in share structure will be effective next week.

"Our shareholders are important to us. By retiring 250 million common shares back to treasury, we instantly create additional value to the shareholders and boost the health of the company. The return of these shares demonstrates management's desire to maintain a capital structure that supports growth. This is an integral part of UHLN’s long-term corporate strategy. This move locks-in shareholder value as our top priority. We are laying a strong foundation and are now poised to grow in our target markets," said Everett Dickson, CEO of US Highland, Inc.

Coinciding with this reduction in its outstanding shares, US Highland/CRUZANI has launched its corporate website www.CRUZANI.com . The website reflects the company’s recently announced name change in order to focus on the leading edge of the food sector’s innovation and growth opportunities. The new CRUZANI name is as much a brand as it is corporate identification. As CRUZANI gains recognition acquiring food service assets, the CRUZANI name will become increasingly associated with the cool-factor that enlivens innovation in the food industry today. CRUZANI’s mission strategy is to be both the owner/operator in its own food enterprises and an enabler for rising stars in the field to make their mark in the “business of food” through strategic alliances.

According to plan, CRUZANI was pleased to announce the Q2 2018 asset acquisition of Toronto-based bakery Supreme Sweets by means of a new CRUZANI subsidiary www.OventaFoods.com . The transaction has delivered a substantial and immediate net increase in the book value of CRUZANI, which will in turn increase the company’s ability to implement its business plan. The acquisition enables CRUZANI to project its branding aspirations into the category of packaged snack foods for consumption at home and other settings, not only in QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) environments. This is a $100 billion market sub-sector of the multi-trillion-dollar food industry as a whole. CRUZANI has already announced its first new snack food product launch through Oventa Foods to support this growth strategy. The company’s new crispy mini-cookie called ChocaWafr™ will be targeted for distribution in various North American retail organizations under its own name as well as private label variations, with the assistance of CNSB Foods www.CNSB.ca .

In March 2018, US Highland also announced that it had acquired 100% of a health-conscious restaurant concept, which will offer consumers a healthy diverse menu made with fresh organic ingredients every day. That brand is also headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently planning to expand across the Southeast. The chain will offer consumers a menu made with fresh organic ingredients every day. These range from flatbread sandwiches, bowls, wraps and salads to fresh proteins such as chicken, turkey, steak and falafel. All entrees are also available in pre-packaged “meal plans” for take-out.

Mr. Dickson concludes, “I am personally passionate about food quality and fitness. When I look at food, I see the variations it can take, the good that it can do and the satisfaction it can deliver. As a business person, I also see many opportunities to monetize food concepts that an open-minded consumer public is eager to pay for. Personal enthusiasm and dedication to the mission is a leading indicator of success in aspiring companies. We’ve got that 110% at CRUZANI. This will become increasingly obvious as we announce our upcoming projects and acquisitions.”

About US Highland, Inc. (CRUZANI): US Highland, Inc. is a business development company that builds and represents popular franchise concepts throughout the United States and internationally, with an emphasis on food and wellness. Our management team selects up-and-coming concepts with substantial growth potential. With diminishing territory available to older franchise brands, we bring fresh innovative brands to consumers that have great potential. All our brands are unique in nature by focusing on niche markets with untapped potential for development.

Safe Harbor Statement: This communication contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of US Highland, Inc., and members of its management, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based.

Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-statements include fluctuation of operating results, the ability to compete successfully, and the ability to complete before-mentioned transactions.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.

For more information please contact: Everett M. Dickson, CEO 3500 Lennox Road Suite 1500 Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 419-2253 everettmdickson@gmail.com