Captain D's Employee Training Program Wins National Award

Captain D's Seafood announced today that its in-house computer-based employee training program, Captain's Compass, has received a 2004 Winning Workforce Award from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and Coca-Cola. The annual Winning Workforce Awards honor those restaurant and foodservice operators who truly understand that enhancing employee satisfaction ultimately leads to achieving guest satisfaction.

"We are extremely proud to be recognized by the Educational Foundation as best in class in our industry for our efforts in training and retaining quality employees," says Ron Walker, president and chief operating officer for Captain D's. "What makes our Captain's Compass program so valuable is that we can offer it not only in our company stores, but it is also available to our franchisees. That helps to ensure that our operations are consistent throughout the system."

Launched in October of 2000, the Captain's Compass leads all new employees through the training process via a computer terminal located in each Captain D's restaurant. Employees learn at their own pace, and store managers and corporate executives can track their progress online. Since Captain's Compass was launched, employee turnover is down, crew tenure is up, and customer satisfaction scores are at an all-time high. In turn, that has led to two consecutive years of record sales for the company.

"We are proud to honor the companies that have created innovative, measurably successful programs to build a satisfied, inspired and motivated staff," said Mary M. Adolf, president and COO of the NRAEF. "These prestigious awards highlight the NRAEF's commitment to providing actionable risk, recruitment and retention solutions while further enhancing our industry's position as the cornerstone of career and employment opportunities."

Captain D's is the only quick-service chain in the country to win a 2004 Winning Workforce Award. The company will be honored at a special ceremony during the 2004 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago on May 24.

About Captain D's

Captain D's Seafood is a pioneer and leader in the fast-casual dining category. The company offers its customers great seafood at reasonable prices in a relaxed environment that embodies the fun and romance of dock-side seafood shacks. Each Captain D's restaurant serves a seafood menu centered around the company's signature fried fish, which is hand cut, hand battered and made to order to ensure freshness. The restaurants also offer premium-quality baked or broiled fish, as well as shrimp, chicken and home-style side dishes. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Captain D's owns, operates and Franchises 570 restaurants in 23 states. The first store was opened in Donelson, Tenn., in 1969 as Mr. D's. The company later changed its name to Captain D's and became Captain D's, Inc. in August 2000.