For Immediate Release
Contact: Kathy Grannis or Ellen Davis (202) 783-7971
Email: grannisk@nrf.com or davise@nrf.com

Perkins, T.G.I. Friday's® Restaurants Join NCCR

Washington, May 16, 2007 – The National Council of Chain Restaurants, the leading trade association representing chain restaurant companies, announced today that two prominent restaurant businesses have become members. Perkins & Marie Callender's Inc. and Carlson Restaurants Worldwide are the association's newest members. NCCR members also receive membership privileges in the National Retail Federation, its parent association and the world's largest retail trade group.

Perkins & Marie Callender's Inc. operates or franchises 625 restaurants in the U.S. , Canada and Mexico . In 2008 the brands will celebrate major anniversaries – fifty years for Perkins and sixty years for Marie Callender's. PMCI and its franchisees employ 25,000 people.

“We joined NCCR to participate in the dialogue on finding the right balance between government regulation and our free market economy,” said Chuck Conine, Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, Perkins & Marie Callender's, Inc. “The dual membership in NRF was definitely a plus and we look forward to active participation in both NCCR and NRF.”

Carrollton, Texas-based Carlson Restaurants Worldwide owns, operates, franchises and licenses more than 1,000 restaurants in 55 countries, including T.G.I. Friday's and Pick Up Stix® restaurants.

“We look forward to partnering and working with the other members of NCCR on issues that impact all chain restaurants,” said April Young, Manager, Government Affairs, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide.

The National Council of Chain Restaurants is the leading trade association exclusively representing chain restaurant companies. For more than 40 years, NCCR has worked to advance sound public policy that best serves the interests of both chain restaurants and the millions of people they employ. NCCR members include some of the country's largest and well respected quick-serve and casual dining companies. The National Council of Chain Restaurants is a division of the National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade group. www.nccr.net

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