October 15, 2001

Northbrook Natives Create a Stir in the Restaurant Industry

Lifelong friends team up to combine fine dining with spectacular savings

CHICAGO, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott Lutwak and Cary Chessick, long-time best friends and Northbrook natives, never thought that they would develop a groundbreaking new concept that has the restaurant industry talking. Restaurant.com has teamed with eBay, The World's Online Marketplace(TM), to offer consumers the opportunity to bid online for gift certificates at participating restaurants throughout the U.S. Restaurant.com offers information on restaurants including menus, prices, virtual tours, and more. Restaurant.com's program is designed to help restaurants obtain new customers and offer consumers an opportunity to save up to 60 percent on their next meal.

Suburban favorites such as Francesca North, Don Roth's Blackhawk, Timbers Charhouse and Hackney's on Harms have enjoyed the benefits of participation in the program.

"Restaurant.com's unique value proposition is twofold: we fill tables in restaurants while bringing significant savings to consumers," says Scott Lutwak, COO of Restaurant.com.

"Consumer feedback has been extraordinary," remarked Chessick, EVP. "With our 'Bid Today, Eat Tonight' system, consumers can win a gift certificate and enjoy the dinner and the savings that night. We are fortunate to be able to serve as the liaison between restaurants and consumers, offering significant value to each."

Judging from their success thus far, it's safe to say that these Northbrook natives haven't bitten off more than they can chew.

About Restaurant.com

Restaurant.com, founded in 1999, has become a leader in the restaurant industry and with consumers. Restaurant.com's Web site and search engine contains information on 350,000 restaurants throughout North America.

Restaurant.com has prospered from key marketing agreements, including its continuing alliance with eBay and Sysco Corporation (NYSE: SYY), the largest foodservice marketing and distribution organization in North America. Sysco's extensive sales force helps market Restaurant.com to their many customers across the country.

Additionally, Restaurant.com is now the No. 1 Featured Site on the MSN restaurant search page.

For more information about Restaurant.com, contact Scott Lutwak at 713/529-8184, email lutwak@restaurant.com, Cary Chessick at 847/602-7872, email chessick@restaurant.com or visit www.restaurant.com.