The Nation's Restaurant News and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation SPIRIT Awards, sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company, honor those restaurant and foodservice operators who truly understand that enhancing employee satisfaction ultimately leads to achieving guest satisfaction. Winning companies have demonstrated excellence in areas relating to workforce recruitment, hiring, retention, education and training.

The awards are open to any commercial, on-site, independent, corporate and franchise foodservice/restaurant company in any service format, regardless of size. An impartial panel of distinguished industry leaders and educators judge applicants and determine award winners. Applications are reviewed for innovation and creativity, professional program presentation (and in-unit communication) and measured program effectiveness.

The 2008 SPIRIT Award Winners 

• Fine Dining - Morton's The Steakhouse 
• Full Service - Carino's Italian 
• On-Site - Sodexo 
• Quick Service - Qdoba Mexican Grill
  

Click here for 2008 The Spirit of the Industry winner highlights