NRN, NRAEF honor excellence in employee relations

Nation's Restaurant News, Sept 12, 2005

Nation's Restaurant News and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, or NRAEF, have formed a partnership to present the first annual SPIRIT Awards, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Co.

The SPIRIT Award winners join former NRAEF Winning Workforce and Nation's Restaurant News PAPA Award recipients as foodservice companies recognized for excellence in employee recruiting, hiring, retention, education and training.

Articles in the following pages profile this year's winners, who were judged on the basis of improved employee satisfaction that enhanced guest satisfaction. Winners of the SPIRIT Award were chosen from among commercial, institutional, independent, corporate and franchised foodservice and restaurant companies that operate in any service format, regardless of size.

A panel of Nation's Restaurant News editors, distinguished industry leaders and educators judged submissions and determined the winners. Applications were reviewed for innovation and creativity, professional program presentation, staff communication and the measurable effectiveness of programs.

A ceremony formally honoring this year's SPIRIT Award winners is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., during the 46th annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference. The MUFSO conference also will feature a panel discussion by the award winners that afternoon.

In addition, all winners are to be honored at a 2006 SPIRIT Awards breakfast, scheduled for Monday, May 22, 2006, during the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago.