Virtual Gallery Chronicles Iconic Images and Stories From Across the American Restaurant Industry

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - May 12, 2017) - The story of America's restaurants represents a journey through history itself. Restaurants have played a key role in shaping the nation's society, economy, and the fabric of its cities, communities and neighborhoods. To share the iconic images, memorabilia and artifacts that illustrate the restaurant and foodservice industry, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) launches today the online version of America's Restaurant Gallery. Now, in partnership with The Elliot Group, the industry's premier executive search and consulting firm which donated the collection in 2015, more items and stories can be submitted and shared.

America's Restaurant Gallery gives voice to the NRAEF's mission to show the impact the restaurant and foodservice industry has on society and the opportunities it creates for millions of Americans. Innovation, entrepreneurship, cultural trends and social change can be found in restaurants dating back hundreds of years. The Gallery is a window into the industry's past and a timeline of where it's heading. There are more than one million restaurants in the U.S. and each has a unique story to tell.

"We are excited to launch America's Restaurant Gallery with the Elliot Group and chronicle all of the achievements and cultural impact of this ever-changing industry," said Rob Gifford, Executive Vice President of the NRAEF. "Many items that have been added to the Gallery are one-of-a-kind artifacts. We have only scratched the surface and are encouraging small and large restaurants and foodservice businesses everywhere to add their stories to the collection."

America's Restaurant Gallery was inspired by the Elliot Group Memorabilia Collection which donated many items to the NRAEF in 2015. "The NRAEF was the perfect home for the collection and the innovative website makes it easy for everyone to enjoy the broad and diverse images and stories this dynamic industry represents," said Alice Elliot, Founder and CEO, Elliot Group. "We hope the Gallery brings back fond memories of the places and people we grew up with and inspires future generations to explore everything the world of restaurants has to offer."

The NRAEF is actively seeking memorabilia and restaurant stories for America's Restaurant Gallery. Businesses and people who have helped shape the industry are encouraged to make contributions using the official America's Restaurant Gallery Submission Page.

About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation: As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the industry's training and education, career development and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to attract, empower and advance today's and tomorrow's restaurant and foodservice workforce. NRAEF programs include: ProStart -- a high-school career and technical education program; Restaurant Ready -- partnering with community based organizations to provide "opportunity youth" with skills training and job opportunities; Military -- helping military servicemen and women transition their skills to restaurant and foodservice careers; Scholarships -- financial assistance for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice and hospitality degrees; and, the Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship Project -- a partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association providing a hospitality apprenticeship program for the industry. For more information on the NRAEF, visit ChooseRestaurants.org

About the Elliot Group: The Elliot Group is a boutique retained executive search firm with a thirty-year history and practice based on recommendation and referral. The Elliot Group's leadership team has an unprecedented average tenure of 17 years with our company. Our search consultants have combined industry experience of over 275 years. This experience and tenure translates into a powerful understanding of the management and human capital needs unique to the industries we serve.

The Elliot team takes great pride in our reputation as one of the most highly sought after executive search firms in the over $800 billion foodservice/hospitality industry and $500 billion retail industry. Our core search work is deeply ingrained in the restaurant industry, but reaches beyond its core, maintaining an impressive network across the hospitality, retail, service, and manufacturing sectors.

We operate five offices nationwide, each led by dedicated search professionals, all of whom bring previous corporate executive experience. Our colleagues have worked in best-in-class, culturally-driven organizations including Coca-Cola, Macy's, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, General Mills Restaurants (Darden), Brinker International and Hillstone Restaurant Group (Houston's).

We work with national and international brands at every stage of the business lifecycle, from emerging to mature. The Elliot Group is uniquely positioned to understand the fundamental challenges that organizations face at every stage of the business lifecycle and we bring a deep understanding of the motivations and talents of individual candidates.

Beyond our core search practice, existing clients, new clients, publicly traded organizations, private equity groups and other financial sponsors enlist our services for our intellectual and consultative perspectives across the foodservice, retail, hospitality, service, and manufacturing industries. In addition to executive search, we are actively involved in human resource consulting, benchmarking, and succession planning.

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