(EMAILWIRE.COM, March 11, 2002 ) The Yard House, a collection of upscale eateries located in Southern California and best known for its American Fusion fare, classic rock, late-night dining and the world's largest selection of draft beer, has been named one of this year's Hot Concepts!, an elite award given to emerging growth restaurant concepts by Nation's Restaurant News, a leading trade publication for the restaurant and hospitality industry. The founders of the Yard House, Steele Platt and Steve Reynolds, along with partners Harald Herrmann and Chef Carlito Jocson, will accept their award at a celebration in Chicago on May 19, 2002, during the National Restaurant Association Show.

Established in 1995, the Hot Concepts! Awards are one of the industry's most coveted honors and pays tribute to the hottest restaurant concepts. The Yard House, with locations in Long Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine and Rancho Mirage, was one of only five restaurants selected nationally to receive this year's Hot Concepts! Award. Nation's Restaurant News editorial staff, in concert with the "Council of Sizzle," an advisory board made up of six leading senior food executives from the top hospitality organizations, are given the task of selecting the restaurants with the most promise and appeal. Criteria include a strong concept definition, forward thinking in approach, an entrepreneurial spirit, a strong consumer appeal, and a sound financial position determined by D&B credit check. To further narrow the competition, a restaurant must be present in three markets -- or operate five stores -- and cannot be more than five years old.

"We're extremely pleased to be among the winners of this year's Hot Concepts! Awards," says co-founder Steele Platt. "We always knew our idea and vision was unique, but to have some of the top industry leaders recognize our efforts is perhaps the biggest compliment for us. This award will put us in an entirely new stratosphere as we continue to expand our concept."

When the flagship restaurant opened in 1996 along the Long Beach waterfront, business partners Steele Platt and Steve Reynolds, founders of Yard House Restaurants, LLC, the parent company that owns the Yard House, knew their unique concept would revolutionize the restaurant industry. Together the duo, along with partner Harald Herrmann, who serves as the company's president, launched one of Southern California's most popular gathering spots. The American Fusion menu, created by partner and award-winning executive chef Carlito Jocson, gives the Yard House a taste all its own and further sets it apart from the competition.

The restaurant's name was derived from an early Colonial tradition of serving 36-inch tall glasses of beer -- or yards -- to weary stagecoach drivers. The age-old custom seems as popular today as it was then. Guests sip their favorite ales from uniquely shaped glass containers, which actually measure three-feet tall. For the more modest consumer, beer is also served by the half yard and in traditional pint glasses. Each restaurant offers its own unique ambiance, and the common thread among the quartet is the signature oval-shaped bar with stainless steel accents, gallery-style lighting, original artwork and an assembly of tap handles.

"The success of the Yard House continues to escalate with the opening of each new restaurant," says Steve Reynolds, co-founder and chief operating officer. "Our goal was to always be innovative yet consistent, which has helped us build a strong identity within the industry as well as with our customers."

In December 2002, a fifth Yard House will open in Downtown San Diego at 4th and Broadway near the Gaslamp Quarter. Plans are underway to open restaurants in other markets including Northern California, Arizona and Las Vegas, just to name a few. In addition to the Yard House, the company also owns Tequila Jack's, a Baja-style cantina located next to the original Yard House in Long Beach.

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Produced for Yard House

Contact:

Elizabeth Borsting
562-988-0080
elizabeth@yardhouse.com

or

Steve Reynolds
949-727-0959 x 110
steve@yardhouse.com

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Contact Information:
Yard House
Joseph Nchor
Tel:
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