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Shamrock Foods “Dine4AZ” Campaign Highlights Pioneer Restaurant Growth in Arizona
Action and Determination Paves the Way for Success
(Phoenix, AZ) — Shamrock Foods Dine4AZ campaign was recently launched to encourage the public to help stimulate the economy by dining out at one of Arizona’s great restaurants. Arizonans have been taking advantage of the interactive website, Dine4AZ.com, where they can search specific restaurants by zip code, download money saving coupons, and find out more about deals from local restaurants.
According to figures based on National Restaurant Association research and data from federal and state government agencies, almost one in 10 working Americans are restaurant employees and more than one out of four people in this country got their first job in a restaurant. Stephen D. Chucri, President/CEO of the Arizona Restaurant Association concurs: “Arizona has more than a quarter of a million employees in the food service industry, offering everyone from teenagers to the elderly the opportunity for growth and promotion in a unique and fun industry. Dining out and dining often helps to preserve those jobs and create additional opportunities in order that we can grow as a state and as an industry, while providing a tasty service to the community.”
Some of these jobs that are being supported through the campaign have deep seeded roots in Arizona, and further motivate and inspire those struggling through economic downfall. Monti’s La Casa Vieja is the oldest pioneer home in Tempe. Built in 1871, this icon of Arizona history represents a backbone of perseverance and ambition that has permeated over 135 years.
Tempe founder Charles Trumbill Hayden constructed the adobe hacienda that bestowed the name La Casa Vieja, Spanish for “the old house”. It’s the birthplace of Carl Hayden, who the Arizona Republic has named “the most important person in Arizona history.” Leonard F. Monti, Sr., son of an Italian immigrant and 1 of 8 kids, endured a meager upbringing followed by a long haul of diligence. Monti Sr. was a railroad telegraph operator and boxer who served in the Navy during World War II. In 1954, Monti Sr. acquired Casa Vieja by putting a stop to the property being bet on during a card game. Maintaining the cultivation with the name Monti’s La Casa Vieja, Monti Sr. turned part of the landmark into a remarkable steakhouse in 1956. The sweat equity built up marked a milestone in the 1980’s, as Monti’s was named the largest grossing restaurant in the region. Son Michael Monti purchased the business and home in 1997, which provided shelter and income for his whole family.
Today, Monti’s La Casa Vieja is the largest full service restaurant in Arizona and has become the one of a kind benchmark for experiencing pre-statehood Arizona history and top quality All-American food. Owner Michael Monti says this long standing family tradition serves as “an example of how small restaurants can grow and provide for the family by means to better itself.” Monti adds, “I’m in this business by choice, not by necessity.”
Family owned business’ passed down through generations is a solid reminder of restaurants being a strong contributor to the overall economic disposition, whether it is individual or on a larger scale. By dining out at one of Arizona’s exquisite restaurants, you are enriching the new, hard-working restaurateur reaching for success, and the state’s aspiration for an economic upswing. People like Monti Sr. who came from modest means and managed to climb their way up represent a beacon of hope through the dark recession, reminding us that we can all make a difference and achieve a favorable outcome with action and determination.
For more information, please visit www.Dine4AZ.com.
Shamrock Foods Launches “Dine4AZ” Campaign
Public Encouraged to Nourish the Arizona Economy by Dining Out at One of Our State’s Great Restaurants
(Phoenix, AZ) — Today Shamrock Foods launched a statewide public awareness campaign to encourage the public to help stimulate the economy by dining out at one of Arizona’s great restaurants. Titled ”Dine4AZ“ the three month multi-media campaign will drive Arizonans to the interactive Dine4AZ.com website where they can find out more about participating restaurants anywhere in the state of Arizona, download money savings coupons, and find out more about deals from local restaurants.
”I am very pleased to join this campaign to help kick-start our economy,“ said Governor Jan Brewer. ”Dining out at your favorite neighborhood restaurant is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to spend time with your family while supporting your local community. When you dine out at a one of our state’s great restaurants, you set in motion an economic engine-domino effect that helps fuel the entire Arizona economy. We are working hard to lead the Grand Canyon state forward out of this recession and Dine4AZ fits perfectly into our plans.“
According to figures based on National Restaurant Association research and data from federal and state government agencies, almost one in 10 working Americans are restaurant employees and more than one out of four people in this country got their first job in a restaurant. Stephen D. Chucri, President/CEO of the Arizona Restaurant Association concurs: ”Arizona’s restaurant industry helps spur the state economy through job growth, sales tax receipts, and the list goes on Dining in one of our local restaurants is an inexpensive way to treat yourself, while also supporting your local community and stimulating our state economy Arizona has more than a quarter of a million employees in the food service industry, offering everyone from teenagers to the elderly the opportunity for growth and promotion in a unique and fun industry Dining out and dining often helps to preserve those jobs and create additional opportunities in order that we can grow as a state and as an industry, while providing a tasty service to the community.“
Chucri adds, ”Job growth is expected to increase by 21 percent by 2019, which equates to almost 60,000 new jobs for Arizona residents. We’ve been hit hard by unemployment, immigration issues, and rampant foreclosures in our housing market, but with the Dine4AZ initiative, we can all do some simple things to get our economy rolling again. Go out and enjoy one of our fantastic local restaurants — each dollar you spend will generate an additional dollar in sales for other industries in Arizona.“
Norman McClelland, Chairman and CEO of Shamrock Foods Company notes, “As the largest food distributor in the Southwest, Shamrock Foods is committed to reaching out to the community to support our industry and promoting goodwill during our current recession. The Dine4AZ program is really about reaching out to our customers and Arizona’s consumers. Restaurants are the bedrock of our economy, and right now, they need more customers. We felt the situation was a real opportunity to encourage Arizonans to make the connection between eating at a restaurant and stimulating our state’s economy.”
McClelland adds, “There are close to 9,000 eating-and-drinking establishments in Arizona and I am imploring you to whet your appetite today at your favorite local restaurant. There are some great food specials awaiting you. Each additional $l million spent in restaurants and bars in Arizona generates an additional 26 jobs for the state, meaning more sales taxes and more services provided by our government.”
As the Dine4AZ campaign progresses, Shamrock Foods and its many friends and partners, which includes politicians, dignitaries, chefs, and restaurant owners, are committed to making dining out easier than ever — with the aim of nourishing Arizona’s economy. As the National Restaurant Association research concludes: “Arizona is a leading force in nationwide restaurant growth and it continues to be a critical ingredient in the state’s economy, spurring valuable dollars for the tourism, restaurant and hospitality industries.”
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