Checkers Drive-In Restaurants

Company: Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. c/o MARC PR
Company Division/Group: Marketing
Company Description: Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. is the largest double drive-thru chain with nearly 800 Checkers/Rally's locations nationwide.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Human Resources Executive

Nomination Title: Steven Cohen, Senior Vice President of Human Resources

Tell the story about what this nominee achieved in 2003 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Steven Cohen, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, implemented hiring
and employee recognition programs that make Checkers/Rally’s one of the best
places to work. The “Hire the Best” program, which helps train managers to hire
the best possible candidate for every position, addressed the problem of high
turnover rates. This grassroots recruiting method ensures that each employee is a
good fit for Checkers/Rally’s.

As a result, turnover rates in the past few years have dropped considerably in all
levels of employment. Crew turnover went from 300 percent down to 124 percent,
General Manager turnover dropped from 55 percent down to 31percent, and
Assistant Manager turnover was at 70 percent, and now is as low as 36 percent.
The recent drop in turnover can also be credited to the competitive wages and the
recognition programs that Cohen started. Now, 85 percent of all promotions come
from within the company.

Cohen and his team implemented one of the best employee recognition and
reward programs of any company in the country. Employees at Checkers/Rally’s
are always trying to earn a spot on the “Top Ten” Manager Incentive Trip. The
program invites 100 managers and their spouses, 12 area managers and their
spouses, and 10 corporate employees and their spouses to an exotic vacation
spot. While on the trip, even more prizes are awarded to top-performers during a
black tie banquet. Checkers also gives away a brand new car each month to its
top-performing managers.

Cohen is invested in the people and their families at Checkers/Rally’s. All incentive
programs and communications not only target the employees, but their families as
well. He communicates important information with a quarterly 12-page newsletter
that goes to all employees and franchise partners. He also welcomes
communication through the Company’s “Fast Track Resolution” open door policy.

List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: List each link on a separate line, begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.website.com]:

Checkers/Rally’s Recognized for Extraordinary Employee Incentive Programs

http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=CHKR&script=410&layout=0&item_id=458217

Nation’s Restaurant News article announcing Checkers’ employee recognition
award

http://archives.lf.com/docview.cfm?A=1&DS=ARC&ID=2003286359920

Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about this nominee:

Steve Cohen (51) is Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Checkers Drive-
In Restaurants, Inc. Since joining Checkers in 1997, Mr. Cohen has been
instrumental in developing innovative employee training, benefits and retention
programs for the double drive-thru chain.

Mr. Cohen brings nearly 30 years of human resource experience to the position.
Most recently, he served as Director of Human Resources for field operations with
EZCorp in Austin, Texas. Mr. Cohen has also served as Director of Human
Resources for the Western Division of Long John Silvers. He began his career with
Korvette’s Department Stores where he worked his way up from Personnel
Manager to Assistant Vice President of Human Resources for Service
Merchandise in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mr. Cohen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from C.W. Post College of
Long Island University.