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NRAEF, NRN name 2009 SPIRIT Awards winners

CHICAGO Four foodservice companies have been honored by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and Nation’s Restaurant News as this year’s recipients of the 2009 SPIRIT Awards honoring companies that have proven dedication to recruiting, retaining and recognizing a qualified and satisfied workforce.

This year’s winners include The Signature Room in Chicago; The Cheesecake Factory, based in Calabasas Hills, Calif.; hospitality management company Guest Services, based in Fairfax, Va.; and the quick-service chain Hot Dog on a Stick, based in Carlsbad, Calif.

The companies will be recognized on Oct. 6 during the 50th Annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators convention in Dallas.

During the conference, representatives from the winning companies will participate in a panel session to share details on their exemplary practices. Information about the winners’ successful recruitment, retention and recognition policies will also be available to conference attendees in a booklet titled “The Spirit of the Industry 2009.”

Sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company, the SPIRIT Awards aim to highlight companies that show innovation and creativity in hiring, keeping and motivating their employees.

“At the NRAEF, we work to ensure the most qualified and passionate people enter and stay in the restaurant and foodservice industry, and the SPIRIT Awards provide an outstanding opportunity to acknowledge several companies that are excelling at employee recognition and retention,” said Linda Bacin, chair of the NRAEF Board of Trustees. “We are honored to once again partner with Nation’s Restaurant News and The Coca-Cola Company in this valuable awards program that exemplifies the NRAEF’s commitment to enhancing our industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement and promotion of career opportunities.”

Tom Larranaga, publisher of NRN, stressed the need to focus on what works in today’s economy.

“To find success in today’s challenging business environment, you need the right strategy and you need to execute, but what you need as much — if not more — is the right people,” Larranaga said. “Along with NRAEF and The Coca-Cola Company, we are proud to honor these winning foodservice operators, who demonstrate how recruitment and training and motivation are inextricably linked to building a high-performance workforce.”

The 2009 winners join a stellar lineup of past honorees, including Bambara; Boston College; Bruegger’s Enterprises Inc.; Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.; Carino’s Italian; Carlson Restaurants Worldwide; Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; Famous Dave’s of America; Golden Corral Corp.; Jack in the Box Inc.; Morton’s The Steakhouse; Ohio State University Medical Center; Panzano; Qdoba Mexican Grill; Royal Caribbean International; Sodexo; and Union Square Hospitality Group.

To learn about past winners, visit www.nraef.org/events/spirit.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected]

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