Instill Corporation Garners Support From Applebee's International and Sodexho Marriott Services.

Business Editors

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2000

Instill Corporation, a leading provider of e-business services for the $376 billion foodservice industry, today announced it has gained strong support from two of the largest foodservice operators in the U.S. Applebee's International Inc. (Nasdaq:APPB), the largest casual dining concept in the world, and Sodexho Marriott Services, Inc. (NYSE:SDH), the largest provider of outsourced food and facilities management in North America, both announced agreements to begin using services from Instill's Foodservice Network.

These companies join Biztro, The Hale Group, Hewlett Packard, Lettuce Entertain You, The National Restaurant Association and its Educational Foundation, Nation's Restaurant News, Procter & Gamble's Commercial Products Group, Technomic, Visa, and others supporting The Instill Foodservice Network. The Network is aimed at the huge opportunity to provide cost savings to the foodservice supply chain -- from large restaurant chains and independent operators, to distributors and foodservice manufacturers.

With these partner and member alliances, along with Instill's current installed network of thousands of operator units, hundreds of distribution centers, and numerous leading foodservice manufacturers, The Instill Foodservice Network solidifies its position as the leading provider of e-procurement, and other resources specifically designed for the foodservice industry.

"The Instill Foodservice Network gives foodservice operators a place for community, resources, education and a multitude of other services," said Mack Tilling, CEO, Instill. "We are thrilled to have two of the leading players in the industry, Applebee's and Sodexho Marriott Services, begin to use the Network's services."

"The Instill Foodservice Network is a win-win for all parties in the foodservice supply chain," said Anthony Wilson, president and chief operating officer, Instill. "Not only do our newest customers Applebee's and Sodexho Marriott Services benefit, but all operators from large to small, distributors and manufacturers will also get access to unbiased independent services that will streamline procurement and improve operational performance."

"As a result of the rapidly developing Internet and e-business environment, we have spent a significant amount of time identifying how we and our franchisees can take advantage of the growing momentum for e-business services," said Lloyd L. Hill, chairman and chief executive officer of Applebee's International. "Our agreement with Instill is an important e-business relationship, and we are excited about the prospect for improvements in the procurement side of our business."

"We are impressed with Instill's management team, partners, industry focus and customer solutions," said Steve Lumpkin, executive vice president of strategic development and leader of Applebee's e-business strategy. "This agreement represents the implementation of one of several initiatives we are currently evaluating to operate more effectively."

"The Instill web-enabled purchasing system, combined with our internal data capture systems, will ensure that we are getting the right products at the right prices," said Michel Landel, president and CEO of Sodexho Marriott Services. "We believe forming an alliance with a leading web-based technology partner is key for our continued growth and industry leadership. We are providing another tool for our managers, allowing them more time to spend serving our clients and customers."

About The Instill Foodservice Network

Based on core services and technology from Instill with value-add partner services, The Instill Foodservice Network is chartered to provide services to all segments of the foodservice supply chain:

--  Multi-unit Operators -- With Instill Purchase Web and Instill
    Purchase Insight -- Instill's flagship e-procurement and analysis
    reporting services -- large chain environments can deploy
    headquarter-controlled procurement with the added benefit of
    corporate-wide reporting and analysis. Customers can select
    partner services to enhance their corporate suite of e-business
    services provided by Instill.
--  Independent Operators -- With Foodscape.com, a portal designed
    specifically for small chains and independent restaurant
    operators, users can quickly gain access to relevant news,
    third-party tools and services, community and e-commerce offerings
    specific to their business.
--  Distributors -- For all distributors -- broadline to specialty --
    The Instill Foodservice Network delivers electronic purchase
    transactions, automating fast and easy ordering to their
    customers.
--  Manufacturers -- With Instill Market Intelligence, manufacturers
    of all sizes can benefit from aggregated market data across
    industry segments.

About Instill Corporation

Instill has been providing e-Business services to the foodservice industry since 1993, delivering e-commerce and information services to the restaurant supply chain including operators, distributors, and manufacturers. Instill's suite of Internet services enable more efficient procurement processes and business intelligence. Instill consolidates industry-wide data and provides business intelligence capabilities for improving the profitability and market positions of its customers.

The company services and links thousands of operators with their key distributors. Some of the operators using Instill services include, Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar, Brinker International, Delaware North, Fine Host, Five Star, Lettuce Entertain You, Marie Callender's and Sodexho Marriott Services. Instill also provides services today to many of the major food manufacturers, and has strategic alliances with such partners as The National Restaurant Association, Procter & Gamble and Technomic. With over 160 employees, Instill is headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., with offices in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Southern California. Instill can be reached at 888/Instill or visit Instill's Web site at www.instill.com.