Letter to National Car Rental regarding offensive television commercial

William E. Lobeck
President and CEO
Vanguard Car Rental USA Inc.
6929 North Lakewood Avenue, Suite 100
Tulsa, OK 74117-1808

Dear Mr. Lobeck:

The National Restaurant Association – the leading national trade association representing the restaurant industry, which is one of the nation's largest private-sector employers - is writing you to express serious concerns regarding a current television commercial by National Car Rental (a Vanguard Car Rental USA Inc.-operated company) that degrades the nation’s 935,000 restaurants and their 12.8 million employees. We believe it is both unnecessary and unfair to severely misrepresent another industry for commercial purposes in this manner. We respectfully request your reconsideration of this advertisement, and urge its immediate withdrawal.

The commercial (titled "World's Quickest Business Lunch") depicts a chef in a bathroom "warning" a guest about one of the restaurant's dishes, then exiting without washing his hands. We find it offensive to suggest that this is commonplace when it comes to sanitation practices and professionalism of restaurant staff.

There is nothing more important to restaurant owners and their employees than the health and safety of their guests, and to suggest otherwise is a gross falsification. The National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) work aggressively to promote our industry's professionalism in food safety and sanitation. For example, the NRAEF administers its ServSafe® Food Safety Training program, which has certified more than 3 million foodservice managers worldwide. In addition, the Association and NRAEF work year-round to underscore the industry’s commitment to food safety education—in particular during its annual national awareness campaign National Food Safety Education MonthSM (NFSEM) in September, including proper hand-washing techniques.

The restaurant industry is committed to professionalism, and food safety and sanitation are non-negotiable. We hope that in future advertisements, you will portray restaurants and their employees more accurately, and that you will discontinue this current one. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Peter Kilgore
Acting Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
National Restaurant Association