HispanicBusiness

SPARTANBURG, S.C., April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The following statement is in response to a lawsuit claiming racial discrimination filed against the Denny's franchise restaurant at 401 SE 1st Ave. in Florida City, Florida, stemming from a January 11, 2004 visit:

"We take claims of discrimination very seriously at Denny's. We long ago adopted a Zero Tolerance approach to such incidents. If we find that any allegation of discrimination has merit, we take swift and forceful action.

We are equally forceful in our approach to discrimination policies, procedures and employee training. Denny's commitment to the advancement of cultural and racial diversity and inclusion is well established. Our Chief Diversity Officer, Ray Hood, who has guided our procedures for more than a decade, has helped Denny's achieve wide recognition by civil rights leaders and national news media as a leader and role model, a place where diversity is embraced and celebrated. We often are consulted by businesses seeking to improve the way they address discrimination issues.

For that reason it is especially painful when persons make accusations against Denny's that have no basis in fact. Just as we have been forceful in the creation and implementation of our approach to this issue, we are doubly vigorous in our defense against such spurious claims that injure the reputation not only of our company, but the people who work hard every day to make Denny's one of America's favorite family restaurant chains.

In the case of the lawsuit brought against our franchisee in Florida, the allegations have been found to be baseless.

In accordance with our strict approach to claims of this type, we commissioned an immediate and thorough investigation by an independent, outside agency with experience investigating such allegations for the United States Department of Justice. That investigation found no evidence whatsoever to support these allegations. The facts proved no deterrent to plaintiffs who perceived an opportunity for financial gain.

As a result, we intend to aggressively challenge the accusations. We are confident when all of the facts are presented that Denny's will be vindicated.

We have great confidence in the programs we have developed and installed over the past decade. We are certain their value and effectiveness will be borne out when the facts in this case are presented in court."

Nelson J. Marchioli Chief Executive Officer and President Denny's, Inc.

Denny's is America's largest full-service family restaurant chain with more than 1,600 locations in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Guam, Mexico, New Zealand and Puerto Rico. The company's stock is traded under the ticker "DNYY" (BULLETIN BOARD: DNYY) , and additional information is available on Denny's Web site at http://www.dennys.com/. Denny's, Inc.

Web site: http://www.dennys.com/