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People Report^TM Releases Results of the 2004 Survey of Unit Level Employment Practices for the Foodservice Industry

Companies benchmark their training, retention, compensation, benefits, diversity, recruiting practices, work place safety and more.

Dallas – February 11, 2005 –People Report^TM today announced the release of its fourth annual Survey of Unit Level Employment Practices (SULEP), a comprehensive research study that benchmarks best practices and critical issues related to both unit level management and unit level hourly foodservice employees. The research was conducted among more than 75 chain restaurant companies, representing a workforce of 589,000 hourly employees and over 40,000 managers.

For the first time ever, the research includes diversity benchmarks of respondent’s workforces; for hourly, management and executive levels. 58% of the companies surveyed reported publishing an overall Diversity Statement as a standard practice. Not surprisingly, the most diverse groups of employees work at the hourly level, where almost 50% of workers represent an ethnic/racial minority group while 28% of management 7% of executives do so.

According to the report, 2003 was the third straight year of declining turnover for both unit level hourly and management employees, with further declines in 2004 being predicted by many companies. Another hot topic for foodservice is the issue of health care benefits. From 2002 to 2003, the percentage of companies that offer health insurance to part-time hourly workers has risen from 48% to 60% and from 88% to 91% for Full-time hourly workers. 40% of respondents reported offering immediate benefits as a hiring incentive for unit level hourly employees compared to only 27% the previous year.

Joni Thomas Doolin, chief executive officer and founder of People Report stated, “People Report’s Survey of Unit Level Employment Practices is an excellent barometer of what the industry is facing in relation to workforce trends. Companies can use this survey to assess how they stack up against their competition, and to determine where they should be investing in their human capital.”

The 2004 Survey of Unit Level Employment Practices addresses and benchmarks best practices in the areas of training, retention, compensation, benefits, diversity, recruiting practices, work place safety and community involvement related to both unit level management and unit level hourly employees. This year’s research includes foodservice operators from quick service, quick casual, family dining, and full service casual and fine dining segments of the industry.

The study is now available for purchase for $595.00 for operators and $1,295 for non-operators. For more information or to purchase the results call 972-364-0490 or email Melissa@peoplereport.com.

People Report™ is the foremost provider of workforce metrics, benchmarks, trends and best people practices for the foodservice industry. With more than 85 member companies, the mission of People Report is to be the catalyst for service companies seeking to balance people and profits. Services include quarterly and annual reports for its members that track, analyze and benchmark the people side of the P&L. In addition to its member only reports, People Report conducts broad national research on the service sector workforce of today and tomorrow, including demographics, compensation & benefit information, recruiting and training practices, turnover costs and solutions and more. Visit the experts on current and future HR trends for the foodservice industry at www.peoplereport.com to download and order reports, find a speaker, as well as learn more about membership.

PEOPLE REPORT™