Greg Brenneman

Francesca's Holdings Corporation today announced that it has terminated for cause the employment of Chief Financial Officer Gene Morphis based on an investigation by its board of directors with the assistance of outside counsel, which has found that he improperly communicated company information through social media. The investigation was launched after the company discovered this activity on May 11. Cynthia Thomassee, Francesca's controller since 2007 and vice president of accounting since 2010, will serve as interim chief financial officer.

_ HOUSTON, Sept. 28, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Francesca's Holdings Corporation today announced that Patricia A. Bender has been appointed to the Board of Directors effective October 1, 2011. The election of Ms. Bender increases the number of Board members to eight and the number of independent directors to three. Patricia A. Bender serves as Executive Vice President and Director of Leasing at Weingarten Realty, one of the top ten Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), since 2005. Ms. Bender has served in various other managerial positions at Weingarten Realty since 1982. Prior to joining Weingarten Realty, Ms. Bender was