Letter to President of NBC Entertainment Regarding "The Restaurant"

Mr. Jeffrey Zucker
President
NBC Entertainment
3000 W. Alameda Avenue
Burbank, CA 91523

Dear Mr. Zucker:

On behalf of our nation's 870,000 restaurants, we are extremely disappointed in NBC's irresponsible approach in portraying (and staging) the restaurant industry in the most exaggerated light on the new show, "The Restaurant." Cut-and-pasted from 200 hours of video footage for every hour seen on screen, this is "un-reality" TV and is not a true reflection of the high standards of professionalism and guest service that — for decades — has been the driving force behind the restaurant industry and its 11.7 million employees.

The nation's restaurants are an integral part of Americans' way of life. We are the cornerstone of the nation's economy, career opportunities and community involvement. The restaurant industry — the largest private-sector employer — employs and touches the lives of millions of Americans every day. Therefore, it is not surprising to see the creation of a TV show called "The Restaurant," looking at the lives of some of the hardest-working Americans who comprise this $426 billion industry.

There are rewarding opportunities in the foodservice industry that have allowed Americans a chance to build a career and eventually live the American dream of owning one's own business – just as Chef Rocco DiSpirito has done. However, the first four episodes of "The Restaurant" depict a sensational, if not ridiculous, view and mischaracterization of the restaurant industry. From the callous disregard by management in accommodating the restaurant's guests to their particularly troubling treatment of the staff, these incidents are magnified in an effort to secure ratings, and unfortunately, are at the expense of the entire staff of Rocco's.

Through the joint efforts by the National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), we are firmly dedicated to cultivating, training and continually educating the industry's workforce, and maintain our unwavering commitment to provide guests every day with a safe, enjoyable and rewarding dining experience. We are an industry that prides itself in its leadership to educate and train its workforce, and find it disturbing that the extensive training that is such a vital part of staff development is completely ignored.

From the industry's tremendous economic impact of more than $1 trillion to hot new trends to success stories of those employed in the restaurant industry — we have many stories to tell, and would welcome the opportunity to share with you the true reality of this exciting industry.

Sincerely,

Regynald G. Washington, FMP, CFBE Chairman of the Board of Directors National Restaurant Association	Steven C. Anderson, CAE President & Chief Executive Officer National Restaurant Association