Restaurant Chains Ask Congress to Pass Broader Menu Labeling
Provision

Twenty-one quick and full-service restaurant chains have asked Congress to
enact broader menu labeling legislation in order to provide calorie information
to more consumers in more locations where prepared foods are purchased.

-- Chain Leader, 7/21/2009 2:05:00 PM

PRESS RELEASE: WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Twenty-one quick and full-service
restaurant chains have asked Congress to enact broader menu labeling legislation
in order to provide calorie information to more consumers in more locations
where prepared foods are purchased. The effort is supported by leading health
and nutrition advocates.

In a letter to members of Congress, released Friday, the leading restaurant
chains endorsed federal efforts to require calorie labeling, but urged
policymakers to adopt a more inclusive approach than is currently under
consideration for the House health care reform bill (H.R. 3200, America's
Affordable Health Choices Act).

The current proposed legislative language would apply to fewer than 25
percent of the nation's restaurants - far below the number that consumers say is
satisfactory. The legislation would require only restaurant chains with more
than 20 outlets to put calorie counts on menus and to provide customers with
additional information upon request. The group recommends setting a reasonable
minimum financial standard for inclusion, such as $1 million in annual sales
and/or applying the requirements to all chains with three or more locations,
recognizing the need to exclude small businesses for whom labeling might be a
hardship.

"The existing language exempts three times more restaurants than it
includes," said Jonathan Blum, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for Yum!
Brands, Inc., which includes Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, Long John Silver's and
A&W restaurants. "It's not necessary that 100 percent of food operations
provide this information, but the current language requires only 25 percent of
restaurants to label menus. That is an inadequate number. America's consumers
deserve better." Last year Yum! became the first national restaurant company to
announce it would begin voluntarily placing product calorie information on their
menu boards.

A recent public opinion poll conducted by KRC Research in June found that 71
percent of Americans believe that all restaurants should show calorie counts on
their menus.

A number of health and nutrition experts have supported the concept of menu
labeling to assist consumers in battling obesity.

"Just cutting 100 calories a day could help prevent added pounds in most
people," said James O. Hill, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Board Chair of America on the
Move. "Menu labeling of calories applied as broadly as is economically feasible
can only aid in this effort."

"Having calorie labeling in as many restaurants as possible - not just the
biggest fast food chains - is important in helping combat the serious problem of
obesity," said Barbara J. Moore, Ph.D., President and CEO of Shape Up America.
"We support education initiatives - including labeling - that encourage sensible
eating and better health for all Americans."

Calorie counts can be calculated at nominal cost, and the legislation only
requires that standard menu items carry the label - exempting daily specials or
features - making the provision feasible for all but the smallest outlets, the
restaurant chains said in their letter to Congress.

The restaurant chains that signed the letter to Congress are:

* A&W
* Captain D's
* Cheddar's Casual Café
* Del Taco
*
Domino's Pizza
* Donatos Pizza
* El Pollo Loco
* Figaro's Italian
Pizza
* Jack in the Box
* KFC
* Long John Silver's
* Papa John's

* Pizza Hut
* Pizza Schmizza
* Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen
*
Qdoba Mexican Grill
* Sargo's Subs
* Taco Bell
* Texas Roadhouse

* Tumbleweed Southwest Grill
* Which Wich? Superior Sandwiches