FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Sherrie Rosenblatt, National Turkey Federation
202-898-0100 ext. 233, srosenblatt@turkeyfed.org
or Leslee McGovern, Devine & Pearson
617-472-2700 ext. 137 lmcgovern@devine-pearson.com

Subway® Takes Home National Turkey Federation's 1st Annual T.O.M. Award
NTF Recognizes Chain for Dishing Up Turkey On the Menu

Washington, DC (February 10, 2003) - At its annual convention this month in San Antonio, the National Turkey Federation (NTF) named Subway restaurant chain as the recipient of its first annual Turkey On the Menu (T.O.M.) award. Created to recognize multi-unit restaurant chains exhibiting market strength and innovative menu applications, the T.O.M. award acknowledges Subway's tremendous success with turkey in their operation.

"As Subway celebrates its 37th anniversary, the National Turkey Federation is proud to salute their long-standing commitment to turkey by presenting them with the inaugural T.O.M. award," comments Jeff Ettinger, chairman of NTF's Marketing Communications Committee. "Throughout its history, Subway has leveraged the broad appeal of turkey, which has become a popular menu item year-round and is closely associated with the great taste of Subway sandwiches."

Restaurant chains eligible for the T.O.M. award were nominated by the NTF membership, which represents 100 percent of the turkey produced in the United States. Members submitted a summary describing the chain's turkey item, its consumer appeal, marketing and promotion and how these efforts position turkey as a profitable option for other foodservice operations. A panel of three judges, all experienced foodservice professionals, rated each entry on how the turkey application addresses versatility, taste, convenience and consumer appeal. Additionally, judges awarded points for how the chain's turkey menu item met consumer needs for visual appeal, portion size, versatility, taste and value.

Subway was nominated for the T.O.M. award by four NTF member companies voting collectively: ConAgra Foods, Jennie-O Turkey Store, Perdue Farms and West Liberty Foods. Representing Subway and accepting the award at NTF's annual convention were Executive Chef Chris Martone, who heads up menu development for the chain, and Janet Risi, president of IPC, the company that purchases all turkey products for Subway.

Left to right:
Jeff Ettinger, president, Jennie-O Turkey Store
Joe Gilmore, vice president foodservice marketing, Perdue Farms
Chris Martone, executive chef, Subway
Jan Risi, president, Independent Purchasing Cooperative
Steve Zoll, president of refrigerated foodservice, ConAgra Foods
Ken Rutledge, president and CEO, West Liberty Foods

The National Turkey Federation is the advocate for all segments of the U.S. turkey industry. It's award winning web site www.eatturkey.com offers successful on-line professional chef cooking demonstrations and a searchable database of more than 300 recipes that exhibit turkey's versatility as a profit-building item, which enhances menus in all meal occasions during every season of the year. Operators can also go to www.eatturkey.com to sign up for the RecipE-mail program to register and receive unique recipe ideas that add flair to holiday and special occasion menus year-round.