AMERICAN EXPRESS LAUNCHES THE RESTAURANT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WITH SAVINGS, ACCESS AND INFORMATION

Toolkit Designed Specifically for Restaurateurs to Attract Premium Customers, Manage Their Business and Save Time and Money

NEW YORK, June 08, 2006 -- American Express today announced a new Restaurant Partnership Program designed to provide restaurateurs with a one-stop location for many of the savings and benefits available to merchants who accept the American Express® Card. The kit debuted at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago and will also be available to individual operators through their American Express relationship manager.

Building on the success of American Express' Business Savings Program which extends volume discounts to all merchants who accept the American Express Card, the Restaurant Partnership Program includes specialized benefits for the restaurant industry. In addition to the savings offered to all merchants such as overnight shipping, office supplies and marketing support, restaurant operators are able to take advantage of special savings offered by:

  • Elliot Leadership Institute – an organization dedicated to the development and advancement of executives in foodservice and hospitality;
  • GuestMetrics – a customer insight and solutions technology company dedicated to improving business performance in the restaurant industry;
  • Healthy Dining Finder – a resource developed in collaboration with the National Restaurant Association for health-conscious diners seeking healthy dining options.

“We wanted to find a way to provide our restaurant merchants with an easy and accessible resource about some of the benefits available to them,” said Curtis Wilson, vice president and general manager, restaurant industries, American Express Establishment Services. “We understand that operators have very specific needs and we want to be sure that we do our best to help them manage and grow their business.”

The Restaurant Partnership Program kit also includes information various American Express merchant services. These services include direct connectivity which enables merchants to avoid costly transaction fees charged by third-party processors; industry newsletters such as Briefing and Market Brief; complimentary point-of-purchase materials and check presenters as well as information to help merchants manage their American Express accounts online.

American Express invests in a variety of initiatives that support merchants such as training and education seminars, business-building opportunities and cause-related events, among others. The Company sponsors various restaurant industry events including:

  • American Express Restaurant Trade Program at the Food & Wine Magazine Classic in Aspen and the South Beach Wine and Food Festival
  • Women's Foodservice Forum and Multi-Cultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance
  • The International Society of Restaurant Association Executives
  • Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation
  • James Beard Foundation and Awards
  • Distinguished Restaurants of North America and Council of Independent Restaurants of America
  • The National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Neighbor Award
  • ProStart, ManageFirst and Careers Through Culinary Arts Program restaurant workforce development programs

About American Express
Establishment Services is the merchant network of American Express, which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants around the globe, which welcome American Express-branded Cards. American Express Company is a leading global payments, network, travel and banking company founded in 1850.



Contacts:
Christine Elliott
212.640.0622
Christine.S.Elliott@aexp.com