National Restaurant Association Calls For Applications For 2010 Faces Of Diversity Awards

Deadline to apply for awards that celebrate industry diversity and inclusion is January 22, 2010

The National Restaurant Association is seeking applications from restaurant companies and restaurant industry professionals for its annual Faces of Diversity Awards. The awards program, created in partnership with PepsiCo Foodservice, aims to raise awareness of the importance of diversity, illustrate how diversity leads to business success, and inspire others to expand their diversity efforts. The awards will be presented at the Association's 2010 Public Affairs Conference, held April 14-16, in Washington, D.C. The deadline to apply is January 22, 2010, and applications/nominations are being accepted online. 

“Our industry’s workforce is more diverse than any other industry in the United States and provides tremendous opportunities to achieve the American Dream,” said Association President and CEO Dawn Sweeney. “We are proud to recognize individuals who have succeeded in America’s nearly one million restaurants and who embody the entrepreneurial spirit, as well as restaurant companies that are committed to celebrating diversity and inclusion to achieve business success. We look forward to receiving applications and nominations from across the nation and industry segments.” 

The restaurant industry is one of the nation’s largest employers with its 13 million employees, representing 9 percent of the U.S. workforce. The restaurant industry employs more minority managers than any other industry, and women represent 55 percent of the restaurant workforce. In addition, more than one-quarter of all foodservice managers are foreign-born 

The Faces of Diversity program celebrates the restaurant industry's successes and proactive efforts to embrace workforce diversity and inclusion. The program has two award categories: the American Dream Award, which honors individuals from diverse backgrounds who have realized the American dream; and the Inspiration Award, which honors restaurant companies that exhibit leadership and vision as advocates of diversity and inclusion through key programs and initiatives. Any restaurant employee or restaurant company can apply or be nominated for the Faces of Diversity Awards.

For more information, visit National Restaurant Association.