SOURCE: Entrepreneur Press and George Colombo

Inaugural 'Killer Customer Care' Award Presented to Carrabba's Italian Grill

Irvine, California - March 16, 2004/Xpress Press/ - Entrepreneur Press announced Carrabba's Italian Grill as the first recipient of its "Killer Customer Care" award. Based on award criteria developed from the book "Killer Customer Care: Five Star Service That Will Double and Triple Your Profits" (Entrepreneur Press/September 2003/$16.95) by George Colombo, this is the first award of its kind from Entrepreneur Press.

Chosen from hundreds of businesses, Carrabba's was cited for the "careful planning, relentless training, and precise execution required to consistently provide a superior customer experience." Colombo noted that Carrabba's implements many of the specific principles described in "Killer Customer Care," including:

* Extensive and On-Going Training
* Empowering Employees
* Understanding Customers' Wants and Needs
* Teamwork
* Exceeding Customer Expectations
* A Diverse Work Environment

Colombo says, "Carrabba's creates a thoroughly satisfying dining experience, not only with the quality of its food but also with its level of service. The entire company operates in a way that reflects many of the principles described in my book. Maintaining this level of service in a single location would be tough enough, but doing it consistently in over 150 locations is quite an achievement. I've dined at several Carrabba's and they're all terrific."

Steve Shlemon, President of Carrabba's, and Bill Kadow, Vice-President of Operations, received a distinctive plaque commemorating the award. Shlemon noted that customer expectations for Italian restaurants usually exceed those for other types of cuisine. "We're very conscious of customer care because our customers come here expecting something special. We're focused on making sure that's exactly what they get."

Carrabba's Italian Grill headquarters are in Tampa, FL and is part of the Outback Steakhouse family. The company will be announced as the First Annual "Killer Customer Care" Award recipient in a full-page ad in the June issue of Entrepreneur magazine.

"Killer Customer Care" is George Colombo's third book. Colombo writes and lectures extensively on sales, marketing, and customer care issues. Entrepreneur Press is the business book publishing division of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. Launched in 1998; it provides information and guidance for small- and medium-sized business.

About Entrepreneur Press and Entrepreneur Media

Entrepreneur Media Inc. is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs worldwide to start and grow successful companies. Its products include: Magazines – Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur’s Be Your Own Boss, Entrepreneur China, Entrepreneur Japan, Entrepreneur Mexico, and Entrepreneur Philippines; Web sites – Entrepreneur.com, SoyEntrepreneur.com, EntrepreneurPress.com and Freebks.com; Book Publishing – Entrepreneur Press, Entrepreneur’s eBooks and Business Start-Up Guides; Also – Conferences, Custom Publishing and Card Decks.

For more information about the award or to interview author George Colombo, contact Leanne Harvey, Director of Marketing, 949-622-5131; for more information about Carrabba’s Italian Grill, contact Andi Jacobs at (813) 288-8286.

Contact: Leanne Harvey
Entrepreneur Press
(949) 622-5131
lharvey@entrepreneur.com