California Restaurant Association endorses Meg Whitman in GOP primary

Historic election requires vision and leadership; November debate must begin now

(Sacramento) March 29, 2010 – The California Restaurant Association (CRA) announces its endorsement of Meg Whitman in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Whitman’s background as an entrepreneur, innovator and problem solver makes her the right choice in June. Whitman has taken the time to get to know the CRA’s members, the industry and its many challenges exacerbated by economic conditions and government-imposed barriers to job creation.

“Meg Whitman is the right choice in the primary because she understands the challenges and the rewards of creating jobs,” said Russ Bendel, chairman of the California Restaurant Association Board of Directors and president and chief executive officer of The Habit Burger Grill. “She will make job creation and growing our economy her top priorities. As California’s second largest employer, we believe that putting people back to work is paramount to solving California’s economic and budget challenges.”

Considering the scale of the challenges confronting California’s next governor, it is essential that the Republican and Democratic nominees begin a serious issues-based dialogue and debate that voters deserve. Californians want to understand how the nominees will improve their communities and create opportunities. With only one candidate in the Democratic primary, the CRA did not endorse in that race.

“Restaurants are the cornerstone of virtually every community in this state,” said Lorraine Salazar, owner of Sal’s Mexican Restaurant in Fresno. “We represent Main Street and believe Meg Whitman exhibits a true appreciation for, and embodiment of, the same values of hard work and independence that are the foundation of our industry.”

The California Restaurant Association, with more than 22,000 member restaurants, represents the second largest private employer in the state. With more than 90,000 eating and drinking establishments currently operating in California, an estimated $58 billion in food and drink sales expected in 2010 and the generation of more than $4.5 billion in California sales tax per year, restaurants are an indisputable driving force in both the state employment and revenue sectors. More than 1.4 million food industry jobs currently exist, with an estimated 1.6 million jobs in the field by 2020. Nearly half of all adults have worked in the restaurant industry at some point in their lives.