Coco's Joins the San Diego Rescue Mission in Helping Those in Need This Thanksgiving; Residents of San Diego Join the Effort.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 1999--

Coco's Restaurants throughout San Diego are joining forces with the San Diego Rescue Mission to make this year's Thanksgiving feast the best ever for San Diego's less fortunate.

Now through Nov. 22, 1999, residents throughout San Diego are asked to join the effort by purchasing a pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie at Coco's to be donated to the Mission. The pies can be pre-ordered at any of Coco's San Diego locations and will be baked fresh for the Mission's "Great Thanksgiving Banquet." This annual event serves a traditional Thanksgiving feast to over 1,000 people in need.

In addition to Coco's donation of turkeys for the event, for every pie donated, Coco's will contribute one dollar to support the Mission's ongoing programs to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical assistance and rehabilitation to the community's needy and homeless.

"This is the time of year when many visit Coco's to pre-order their holiday pies," said Patti Ammerman, director of marketing for Coco's. "Now, they can help the San Diego Rescue Mission host a special Thanksgiving feast for those in need at the same time."

All 22 Coco's restaurants throughout San Diego will be participating in this charitable effort.

"We're thrilled that Coco's and communities throughout San Diego are working with us to make this year's `Great Thanksgiving Banquet' a huge success. It's this commitment to giving that enables rescue missions across the nation to help thousands of needy and homeless people every day," said Stephanie Paine, food service director at the San Diego Rescue Mission.

The "Great Thanksgiving Banquet" will be held Nov. 23, 1999 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the San Diego Rescue Mission located at 1150 J Street in San Diego.

Founded in 1955, the San Diego Rescue Mission is dedicated to extending charitable assistance to the community's needy and homeless through the provision of food, shelter, clothing and medical assistance. The Mission also offers educational programs and rehabilitation to prepare San Diego's homeless men and women for employment and independent living.

Coco's, with headquarters in Irvine, Calif., operates 184 full-service family dining restaurants in the United States. Coco's is a subsidiary of Advantica Restaurant Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DINE), one of the nation's largest restaurant companies.