Monday, September 12, 2005, Homestead, Penn. - When it comes to disaster relief efforts, Eat'n Park Hospitality Group has a history of jumping in with far more than its trademark Smiley® cookies, and Hurricane Katrina is no exception.  Eat'n Park Hospitality Group is undertaking a variety of company-wide initiatives to help hurricane victims and has committed to contributing cash, in-kind donations and employee volunteer manpower to the relief effort.

"For our company and our team members and associates, hospitality is about extending kindness and generosity to guests and strangers alike," explains Karen Bolden, Vice President of Human Resources for Eat'n Park Hospitality Group and leader of the Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts for the company.  "Louisiana and Mississippi are considered to be the center of southern hospitality.  They have never needed kindness and generosity more than they do right now.  We are committed to helping not just for the short-term, but for the long haul."

The following are among the immediate initiatives underway through Eat'n Park Hospitality Group:

• Eat'n Park Hospitality Group will offer paid leave to at least 10 team members interested in serving as official Red Cross volunteers.  The company will provide leave for a three-week volunteer assignment beginning with an extensive Red Cross training period.  In addition, Eat'n Park is prepared to provide another 10-member team of volunteers in 2006.

• The company has posted job openings through the National Restaurant Association's Hurricane Katrina Restaurant Resource Center and is contacting restaurants affected by Hurricane Katrina to offer jobs to individuals and families who have been displaced.

• Collection canisters are in place at all 79 Eat'n Park restaurants and three Park Classic Diners.  Proceeds from all donations will be directed to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund.  

• Plans for a two-day promotion donating a portion from every sale of Eat'n Park's Breakfast Smile are underway and will be announced later this month.  All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross.

• An American Red Cross link is being provided on the Eat'n Park Group web site, www.eatnpark.com.

• The company's Leadership Training Center at the Waterfront is being used by the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania to hold volunteer training sessions.

Additional initiatives will be developed as relief needs are determined in the upcoming weeks and months.

Eat'n Park Hospitality Group was founded in 1949 as a family car-hop. Today, the Pittsburgh-based company has grown to include Eat'n Park Restaurants, Park Classic Diners, Parkhurst Dining Services and CURA Hospitality.