Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. (NYSE: MRT) today announced plans to host a
series of special events at Morton's steakhouses across the United States to
celebrate the 30th anniversary of Morton's and raise at least $250,000 for the
Make-A-Wish Foundation(R). Morton's is partnering nationally with the
Make-A-Wish Foundation to launch 30 Wishes for 30 Years, the largest charitable
initiative in the company's history. Funds raised through the Morton's events
will make it possible to grant the wishes of 30 children who are living with
life- threatening medical conditions.
"To celebrate our three decades of leadership in fine dining, Morton's is
proudly partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation on 30 Wishes for 30 Years, a
program we are introducing to brighten the lives of 30 children," said Thomas J.
Baldwin, Chairman, CEO and President of Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. "I can't
think of a more meaningful way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Morton's,
which has grown from one restaurant in 1978 to the world's largest operator of
company-owned upscale steakhouses, with 79 Morton's steakhouses and more on the
way." Mr. Baldwin added: "When the first Morton's opened in Chicago in 1978,
co-founders Klaus Fritsch and Arnie Morton turned their dream into reality by
creating a steakhouse that offered great food and great service. They also
shared a commitment to being active in their local community. Thirty years
later, we are just as committed to giving back to all the communities where our
Morton's steakhouses are located, through programs like 30 Wishes for 30
Years."
"I'm very excited that Morton's has chosen to team up with the Make-A-Wish
Foundation to celebrate Morton's 30th anniversary," said David Williams, Make-
A-Wish Foundation of America President and Chief Executive Officer. "Through 30
Wishes for 30 Years, 30 courageous children will have their wishes granted as a
result of the caring people of Morton's. On behalf of these children and their
families, I want to express my profound thanks to Morton's for choosing such a
generous manner to celebrate their 30 years of growth and success."
In just a few weeks, Morton's has already raised nearly $50,000 for the
Make-A-Wish Foundation, including $40,000 from live and silent auctions at the
inaugural March 6th event at the grand opening of the newest Morton's steakhouse
in Naperville, Illinois. To reach the national goal of $250,000, Morton's
steakhouses across the United States will be hosting exciting special events
featuring Morton's legendary cuisine and hospitality and world-class wines to
raise funds for the children served by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The special
events at Morton's steakhouses will include:
- Charles Krug Wine dinners in select markets, which will be hosted by Peter
Mondavi, Jr., Proprietor of Charles Krug Winery, and Tylor Field III, Morton's
Vice President of Wine and Spirits. During the dinner, a 27-liter etched bottle
of Charles Krug's Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon will be auctioned off
with proceeds benefiting the Make-A Wish Foundation. A 27-liter bottle of wine
serves 144 people and is the equivalent of 36 bottles of wine.
- Most of Morton's steakhouses in the U.S. will auction 27-liter
limited-edition bottles of Charles Krug's Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon
at their restaurants in October.
- Every Sunday from July through September, Morton's guests will have a chance
to indulge in the '$19.78 Million Dollar Make-A-Wish Prime Sirloin Burger,' with
a portion of the proceeds going to the Make-A Wish Foundation. This isn't just
any hamburger -- it's the burger that started it all at Morton's. When Morton's
co-founders Klaus Fritsch and Arnie Morton first worked together at the Playboy
Club, Fritsch made his signature hamburger and sent it out for Arnie Morton to
taste. Morton proclaimed it the best hamburger he'd ever tasted. From that day,
they started the business partnership that has become Morton's The
Steakhouse.
As part of its yearlong celebration, Morton's has launched its 30 Wishes for
30 Years Web site at www.mortons.com/30wishes. The site shares wishes from
Make-A-Wish children, allows Morton's guests to share their own memories over
the past 30 years and provides ways for people to contribute to the 30 Wishes
for 30 Years program.
About Morton's
Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. is the world's largest operator of
company-owned upscale steakhouses. Morton's steakhouses have remained true to
our founders' original vision of combining generous portions of high quality
food prepared to exacting standards with exceptional service in an enjoyable
dining environment. As of March 31, 2008, the Company owned and operated 79
Morton's steakhouses located in 67 cities in 28 states and Puerto Rico and five
international locations (Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Toronto and Vancouver), as
well as three Italian restaurants. Please visit our Morton's Web site at
www.mortons.com.
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-
threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope,
strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young
boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the
largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 67 chapters in the United
States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than
25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and
has granted more than 161,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception. For more
information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org and discover
how you can share the power of a wish(R).