NRA Announces State Winners of the 2006 Restaurant Neighbor Award

The National Restaurant Association, in partnership with American Express, has announced that Michael’s Harborside in Newburyport and Friendly’s Restaurants based in Wilbraham, MA, have been chosen to represent our state for an opportunity to earn a national grand prize of $5,000 each. The national winners also receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC, for the National Restaurant Association’s Public Affairs Conference in September where the national winners will be announced.

“Michael’s Harborside and owner, Jim Rogers, deserve a big thanks from every freedom-loving American who knows the value of our sometimes forgotten Vets,” said Peter Christie, MRA President & CEO. “He shuts down his entire restaurant for the Annual Veteran’s Day Dinner to give more than 1,100 New England Veterans the recognition and appreciation that we all feel toward them, but don’t always take the time in our busy lives to express.”

Friendly’s Restaurants is the Mass honoree in the multi-unit category. A long time supporter of Easter Seals, Friendly’s has been chosen a state representative before. “For 25 years, Friendly’s has marshalled more than 18,000 corporate and franchise employees to raise $23.4 million for Easter Seals through their Cones For Kids campaign,” said Christie. “The number of disabled children and adults helped through the 40 different Easter Seals affiliated organizations as a direct result of Friendly’s efforts is astounding. Friendly’s is a very successful corporation that remembers its roots in the community and gives back to the neighborhoods where it operates.”

Both of the Mass winners will receive a plaque from the NRA and a chance to compete on the national level with restaurateurs across the country for a grand prize of $5,000 to donate to the charity of their choice.

A profile of each state winner’s community involvement will be highlighted in a booklet that the National Restaurant Association will distribute in the fall, as well as on the Association’s Web site, www.restaurant.org/community.