Carrows Restaurants Joins eScrip to Support Local Education, Children; Carrows Kicks Off New, Electronic Fundraising Program as Kids Head Back to School.

Business Editors

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2000

Carrows Restaurants Monday announced its participation in eScrip, a program administered by Electronic Scrip Inc. (eScrip) dedicated to establishing relationships between commerce and the community to generate fundraising resources for organizations and projects that support children.

Using eScrip, an electronic successor to traditional "paper scrip" educational fundraising programs, families can now raise funds for their local schools while dining in more than 100 participating Carrows Restaurants throughout California and Nevada.

"Carrows is a family restaurant with close ties to the individual communities we serve; our association with eScrip is a natural extension of our grassroots marketing program," said Pamela Tindall-Becker, Carrows vice president of marketing.

"eScrip offers a consistent way for us to demonstrate Carrows' commitment to children and education and we are excited to kick off the new program just in time for the new school year."

Carrows Restaurants will donate 4 percent of the sales generated by eScrip participants to designated local schools and other nonprofit organizations. Carrows Restaurants join other merchants (including SAFEWAY, VONS, Chevron, Eddie Bauer and Budget Rent-a-Car) that contribute to schools and youth organizations through the eScrip program.

During fourth quarter 1999 (October-December), eScrip generated $1.5 million to benefit schools.

"We at eScrip are thrilled to add Carrows Restaurants to our family of merchants," said Ian Diery, president and chief operating officer of eScrip.

"From the very beginning, we targeted Carrows to help round out our program offerings and this is a tremendous boost. Families now have the opportunity to enjoy eating out at Carrows while receiving the commitment to their children that is synonymous with eScrip merchants."

To participate, parents and other supporters of schools and nonprofit organizations register their designated credit cards, debit cards and grocery loyalty cards with eScrip for an annual fee of $10. Every time a registered card is used at an eScrip merchant, the supporter earns a rebate that goes directly to the supporter's designated institutions.

The rebate contribution ranges between two and 10 percent, based on the participating merchant.

ESI (Electronic Scrip Inc.) is a San Mateo, Calif.-based corporation dedicated to establishing relationships between commerce and the community to provide resources to organizations that support children. ESI's board and officers include individuals with diverse backgrounds that include computer technology, banking systems, marketing, accounting and the nonprofit sector.

ESI has contracted with processors who provide state-of-the-art technology for administration of the eScrip program. Customer service is a top priority -- as is the safety of all information provided for use in the eScrip program. Parents and other supporters of local schools and other nonprofit organizations can sign up for eScrip by calling eScrip at 800/592-0942 or on the Internet at www.escripinc.com.

With 144 locations in seven western states, Carrows is a full-service, regional family restaurant chain that offers traditional American meals, generous portions, good value and friendly service in a comfortable atmosphere. Carrows Restaurants is a subsidiary of Advantica Restaurant Group Inc., one of the nation's largest restaurant companies.

For more information about Carrows, visit www.carrows-dine.com.