"It's like winning the lottery!"

We have enjoyed participating in the Foodservice Rewards program because we have been able to get some nice items for our department that we normally would not have purchased. We also enjoy entering the codes. When bonus points appear, it is almost like winning the lottery!

Thank you Foodservice Rewards!!!

Rich Burlingame
Director of Food Services
Great River Health Systems, West Burlington IA

I don't order as much as the "big guys"

Foodservice Rewards is a really great program! I am the cafeteria manager for a small private school and I don’t order as much as the “big guys” but most all of the foods that I use in my cafeteria have those great bright yellow Reward Code labels on them.

I am trying to build up enough points to purchase either a dishwasher or a convection oven for our kitchen or maybe a big screen TV for our school! Whichever I decide on, I am having fun collecting the points and entering them into our account!

Karen McAlhaney
School Cafeteria Manager
Jefferson Davis Academy

Operators generating positive PR with FSR

Foodservice Rewards has been a GREAT success for us and local charities. We donate merchandise to them which they can use in fund raising auctions. It is a definite WIN-WIN situation!

Robert E. Williams Jr.
President
Lizard’s Thicket Restaurants
Columbia SC

"I love giving them presents..."

Having a tough time reaching Local Leverage Operators? Here's just one example of how these highly valuable customers feel about Foodservice Rewards:

"Just want to say thanks for this program! As a small business owner I can not afford to reward my employees beyond a competitive wage rate and discounts on food. The Foodservice Rewards program allows me to gift my great staff with quality merchandise. I work with some truly great people and yes, I tell them that, but a wrapped package is much more fun - I love giving them presents for a job well done! Thank you for helping me do that, Foodservice Rewards."

Sincerely,

Shannon Schaefer, Owner
Valentino's

Have you had your Nooner today?

Foodservice Rewards is the something “extra” for owners, their business and employees. We currently buy crackers, gravy, cheesesteaks and cleaners. Give us more, we love it!!

The people with Foodservice Rewards are very kind and helpful and the rewards merchandise selection has a wide variety to fit every personality and need.

Judy Giordanetto, Owner
The High Nooner
Spokane, WA

"The only thing that takes time"

My staff is willing to save every one of the reward codes off of the boxes that come in on delivery days. We collect them all year long and then we select items from the shopping list for gifts for our Holiday Party.

We have fun entering the Reward Code labels to see how many points each one is worth plus looking for those big bonus points. Entering the points on line is easy and very fast - the only thing that takes time is deciding what to get with your points because there are so many choices.

Thank you for being out there!

George Sipp
Food Service Director
COLUMBUS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

"Not too many things in life are free"

My employees and I have so much fun collecting and saving foodservice rewards points. Every couple of months we redeem them for some really cool things. I just got an MP3 player for the dining room and they helped load it with some of their favorite music.

Not too many things in life are free, but this truly is!!

Melissa Sloan - President
Cassel's Restaurant
Northville, MI

"A marked improvement in attendance"

I just wanted to send a few words of encouragement with regards to the Foodservice Rewards program. I’ve been participating in the program for about a year now. There are many reasons that the program has been beneficial to me and my company. It has been a great motivating tool for the employees as far as attendance is concerned. I use the awards catalogue and let the employees pick their own gift for perfect attendance. So far, I’ve seen a marked improvement in attendance.

Additionally, I plan to give out the “Outstanding Foodservice Worker” award using the program.

I appreciate all of the assistance that I have received when presented with any issue that might come up too.

In conclusion, the Foodservice Rewards program has been a success in my operation and I believe that it would prove to be a benefit to other operators as well. The Foodservice Rewards Program continues to add quality foodservice product lines to the program making it even easier to receive points.

Phil Coffman
Foodservice Manager
American National Insurance Company, Galveston TX

NACUFS Member Concerns - Survey

Motivating and retaining staff has always been a central Foodservice Rewards theme. Now, additional validation from the latest NACUFS survey asking members to list their Top Challenges. Unsurprisingly, the #1 operator worry is finding and keeping qualified foodservice personnel - exactly the challenge Foodservice Rewards addresses.

"The program has made a believer out of me"

As a cafeteria manager, I am always looking for ways to both stretch my dollars and attract students to the cafeteria, using the Foodservice Rewards program has enabled me to achieve both of my goals painlessly. Because I can use high quality items and get free merchandise to use in the cafeteria (so far I’ve received volleyballs, soccer balls and Etch-a-Sketch items to use as giveaways and it was all FREE!!)

I cannot say enough good things about this program. The first time I heard about it I was a little leery because it sounded too good to be true, but everything they said it would do, it does! Easily, painlessly and with very little effort on my part. The Web site takes you through everything you want to do step by step and you won’t get lost!

The Foodservice Rewards program has made a real believer out of me and the kids in our district are really glad that I participate in it. They can’t wait to see what the next prizes will be!

Diana Gonzalez-Sumpter
Cafeteria Manager
Morenci Unified School District #18, Morenci, AZ

I redeemed my points for door prizes

"As a buyer for 14 restaurants, I really appreciate Foodservice Rewards. I redeemed my reward points for items that were used for door prizes for a charity event. Foodservice Rewards is an awesome program. Whatever you use the points for in the end is a great incentive, but the real benefit is all the great products you can earn with the points."

Kathy Lanier, Buyer/Purchaser Food & Beverage
CK's Coffee Shops, Memphis, TN

Sweeps and Contests Popular As Ever

This week's ExtraPoints newsletter features several sweepstakes and contests. Note the many clever approaches:

Gold Medal baking mix offers one entry with every case redeemed and a winner every week. Dawn Heavy Duty Degreaser generates testimonials with a "Share Your Story" Contest. Basic American recognizes their 25,000 point winner publicly in the newsletter.

Winners are also great material for website banners - Ray Smith would be happy to contact them on your behalf for digital photos and a release.

Twenty Millionth Code Winner

"We're not willing to compromise on taste or ingredients for the sake of price" says Tracy Glen, CDM, and Nutrition Services Coordinator at the Orange Grove Center.

And a good thing, too. As a result, this non-profit for the developmentally disabled entered the 20 millionth Foodservice Reward code and earned 40,000 bonus points: Get the whole story.

"It gives us a way to reward our employees..."

At West Virginia University, we have taken advantage of the Foodservice Rewards program for the last two years. It is a great program! We have cashed in our points and used the rewards as prizes and drawings for our food service employees at our end of the year party. It is a great incentive for our staff and really makes them feel appreciated. We have also used the rewards in an incentive program for encouraging great customer service. We gave employees a ticket when they were caught giving exceptional customer service and then the tickets were utilized in the drawings at the end of the year.

Our management staff as well as our employees are excited about the program because it gives us a way to reward our employees in a state system which does not offer bonuses or merit increases. The rewards that are offered are of good quality and the selection is large; it's easy to get a variety of prizes that everyone can get excited about!

Thanks for providing this program to food service operators,
Kathy Curtin, Assistant Director, WVU Dining Service

Perhaps that's why 57% of all U.S. Colleges and Universities, 48 in Canada & 442 in the UK now participate in Foodservice Rewards^®

Best Practices, Continued

Unilever Foodsolutions launched their participation with this impactful self-mailer collection box. It mails flat in a 9" x 12" and is assembled by operators who simply fold over the pre-adressed flap to return it full for processing.

Member Doug Corteal, President of Divito Park, recently enthused "Just a special thanks for the bonus 250 codes and the collection box. My employees know if I find a reward coupon still attached to a carton in the trash, I get frustrated with them. So today, I posted the box in the stock room near the loading dock. They promised to fill it up for me! Thanks again!"

Our gross sales are up 40%

"Since we changed to NESTLE'S Brand Products, our gross sales have increased over 40% and our net profits have increased dramatically. The best NESTLE product we have added is the Coffee-Mate line of liquid creamers"

Says Robert Benkelman, owner of Lee's Vending in Lakeport, CA, sharing his Foodservice Rewards success story. Got vending?

Ever wonder if operators read email?

We have a family restaurant that features fresh fried foods such as squash and chicken tenders. We were using Sysco Fry-On and the oil was failing after 3-4 days. The distributor tried everything from giving us a filter machine (we already had our own) to stainless steel screens for catching crumbs.

I saw your offer for offer for extra bonus points and decided to give Bunge a try. It's great! It lasts longer (at least 7 days) and the end product is consistantly better. Ruth Bowers, Owner, City Café, Mount Holly, NC

N.B. How else would your brand have reached this operator? City Cafe is a typical family restaurant that no one representing the manufacturer calls on and the MA did everything in his power to keep a private label sale rather than sell a better performing product...

Having a tough time retaining employees?

Try this strategy:
"We use the rewards for door prizes at company functions and as a morale boost for employee of the month programs. This program is great, it's an easy way to reward your employees without the additional expense."

Anthony J. Campolo, President, Four Seasons Vending

On a related note, we're losing Charles Parla, Marketing Manager, to General Mills. It's bittersweet - he'll be missed at BI - and probably give us heck as our new client contact at the Mills. Send him congratulations.

You never know what motivates your operators

Just wanted to drop a line and let you know what a fantastic program this is. Everything is top notch!!!

I'm happy with the products that we order to get the coupons... The merchandise... Delivery in a timely manner and even the return policy.

I recently selected a chain saw since it is Hurricane Season here in The Florida Keys. It is defective and I need to return it. My request was handled with speed, care and kindness ! Thank you... It seems like it's FREE and that makes it WONDERFUL !!

Gloria Teague, Owner, Bob's Bunz, Islamorada, FL

Charlie's working the HFM Show

Dear Charlie,
I want you to know we really enjoy using the rewards program. It has enabled us to reward employees and boost morale in the operation.

Recently we held a contest to see who could get the best attendance over 6 weeks as we were having some issues with tardiness.

It also gave us a chance to recognize a couple of key employees. I even let one of them choose thier prize off the internet and he chose the Cheesecake for his wife who just had a baby last week.

In today's environment of limited cash flow and restricted budgets this program has enabled us to have fun with our employees and give them something to show how much we appreciate their hard work and dedication. Thanks for the support.

Sincerely,Todd J. Osowski
Food Production Manager - William W. Backus Hospital - Norwich, CT

"I've discovered consistency in product lines"

John Miceli, Executive Chef USA Gourmet, Pittsburgh, PA writes: "I have been collecting the Reward Codes for about three months. I now shop by choosing the manufacturers that offer the points. I have also found great consistency in product lines that I never used before. Foodservice Rewards has opened my eyes as a foodservice operator. Thank you for a great program."

Better Hospital Food

This article tracks the trend toward better food in heathcare and quotes Foodservice Rewards member Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas.

425 codes in 24 hours. A new record?

The Horseshoe Casino in Bossier, LA, asks "Who holds the record? On my very first week with your program of finding these codes I put in over 425 coupons and earned 5700 points in one 24 Hour Period. Thanks for letting us have fun with this program and keep it going forever." Perhaps that's why their tagline is Where we have winners like never before.

Sara Lee Foodservice Sweetens Rewards

Sara Lee's bakery brands join the over 65 national brands already participating in Foodservice Rewards. That's great news for operators like Karen Lancaster, Owner, Busy B's Bakery in Joshua, TX:

"I have been a member of other food service reward programs, but none of them even compare to Foodservice Rewards. It is so simple - you tear off the yellow reward code label, go online to your account and enter the codes. The points add up really quick!! I would recommend any food service operator, no matter how small, join this rewarding program. I am going to try to save all of my points and buy Christmas gifts this year. There really is something for everyone! Check it out!!"

Do You Heart Foodservice Rewards?

See the new campaign focused on testimonials (scroll to the middle of the Foodservice.com Express Newsletter.)

Free scanners at 1,000th code?

"You don’t track invoices with Foodservice Rewards®," says Chef Michial Neal of Lynchburg College, "so it’s easier to earn rewards than with other redemption offers."

Operators enter Reward Codes individually or in groups of ten. They also mail them in - we've made it easy, allowing members to print a personalized mailing label with one click. Bar code scanners are also becoming an increasingly popular method of code entry.

We're considering providing scanners automatically to operators who've entered their thousandth code. Comments?

Travel & Leisure segment remains untapped

1,483 Motel/Hotel/Resort/Lodging segment operators have enrolled, representing 6% of the 23,520 operators according to Technomic's latest figures.

From: Amanda Kavars [mailto:akavars@MILL-USA.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2006 1:30 PM
To: Lucas, Michael
Subject: Thank you!

Hi Mike,

I touched base with my chef after you left about the rewards program and actually, we are already members! He and our purchasing manager login all our products and apparently are half way to getting enough points for a big screen TV!?!! As I mentioned, we are a union hotel and part of our contract is that we provide at no cost 2 meals a day in our employee cafeteria, called Nic's Underground, and apparently the TV will go in there when they've earned it.

~Amanda

Amanda Kavars
Account Manager
Millennium Hotel Minneapolis
Direct Phone: 612-359-2231
Direct Fax: 612-359-2164
akavars@mill-usa.com
www.millenniumhotels.com

Expand your purchases and your rewards

Expand your purchases and you'll expand your rewards says Purchasing Manager, John Taninias of Woodloch Pines resort in Hawley, Pennsylvania. "We frequently purchase a product eligible for Foodservice Rewards - even if it's different from what we normally buy. We get more points that way. And more points mean more rewards!" How does Woodloch Pines redeem their points? "We let employees who go 'above and beyond' pick out their own reward. It's really exciting for them!"

150 cooks, 3,000 meals per seating

"What a great program!" says Alfred Hauser, Executive Chef of Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas. "I have 150 cooks serving 2,000 to 3,000 passengers per seating." An examination of the ship's stores revealed qualifying products from Bunge Oils, Barilla Pasta, Nestle Bases and Cocoa, and General Mills baking mixes. Oh, and I gained 5 lbs. on the Alaskan cruise.

The Proof is in the Pudding

When Sweepstakes entrant Executive Chef Charles Rosenau of Konocti Harbor Inn and Spa won 250,000 Foodservice Rewards points, a Mediterranean cruise or $3,000 cash, he chose points - another example of how the program takes the focus off price and engages the "right brain" instead.

Chef has been at Konocti for 9 years, after spending 5 years at The Sunriver Lodge in Oregon as Executive Sous Chef. He received his culinary training "on the streets" starting in foodservice as a bus boy at age 13. His Nestle broker is Food Sales West and his distributor is Ritz Foods. According to our records, he is currently purchasing 7 Nestle brands!

Bobby Q's: Operator testimonial

"I love foodservice rewards" says owner Bob Lerose of Bobby Q's in Westport, CT. "Right now I'm earning from Golden Dipt, Gold Medal Flour and Bunge Elite. The program helps me get rewards like the iPod Shuffle to recognize staff who are doing an outstanding job and keep them from jumping ship to my competitors. Every day someone is trying to steal my waitstaff and my payroll is high enough as it is. It's funny how a one time gift of an electronic gadget can be more effective than a raise - which they seem to forget about the day after it is received."