Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que Selects Unicru Inc.

Longtime barbeque favorite adopts advanced hiring technology to boost retention and manager efficiency

PORTLAND, Ore. - June 13, 2006 -- With an eye on reducing turnover and streamlining their hiring processes to allow store managers more time for the guest and growing the business, California-based Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que has chosen the Unicru® Hiring Management System for Dining for all its locations. Lucille’s managers will work with Unicru’s integrated hiring technology and industry-proven assessments to find, screen and hire the best front- and heart-of-house employees with the necessary skills and behaviors required to drive repeat business and average check size. Lucille’s currently employs more than 940 employees at six locations with two additional restaurant openings scheduled for later this year.

“Unicru is committed to and successful at reducing the pains we commonly have in this industry,” said Craig Hofman, CEO at Lucille’s. “This became evident to us when we visited a Unicru-powered restaurant customer. The managers had the gift of time and less administrative nightmares typical with the traditional hiring method. Plus, the staff was friendly, engaging and helpful – a testament to Unicru’s employee screening tools.”

Unicru will help Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que maintain its status as the “best Bar-B-Que in the county” by identifying those applicants most likely to match and positively contribute to the current company culture. Lucille’s has implemented Unicru’s behavior-based assessment tools that screen for key personality traits and skills associated with job success. Available in English and Spanish, the Unicru-powered job application and assessments will be accessed through Lucille’s corporate website and at each location via HirePort™, Unicru’s proprietary electronic job application device. Unicru also assists in streamlining tax credit capture, and minimizing the payment of non-qualifying unemployment claims, among other benefits.

“Mid-size chains like Lucille’s are now positioned to take advantage of a Unicru solution that’s sized and priced for their business, and also benefit from a top-rate solution that has been battle-tested by our veteran clients, who are among the country’s largest employers of hourly workers,” said Chris Marsh, president and CEO at Unicru. “I’m confident that Unicru will help Lucille’s achieve the same results, meeting business objectives through the acquisition of top talent and increased bottom line savings.”

About Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que is a high volume, award-winning restaurant company founded in 1999 by Craig Hofman in Long Beach, California. Since then, five more locations have opened in Southern California and Nevada. Everyone at Lucille’s is dedicated to “Serving Great Bar-B-Que with the Finest Southern Hospitality” which is why so many people are addicted to their mouth-watering ribs and authentic southern dishes, always served with a smile. Lucille’s rapid expansion plans include adding four more locations in the next 18 months. This concept is so hot…it’s smokin’! For more information, visit www.lucillesbbq.com.

About Unicru
Unicru is the leading provider of talent management solutions focused on improving workforce quality and productivity within the nation’s leading employers. Deep industry expertise, extensive client experience and knowledge gleaned from over 50 million job applicants combine for a proven solution that integrates hiring automation, employee selection programs and performance measurement to drive measurable business results. Unicru si currently deployed in more than 28,500 locations nationwide for over 130 leading companies and brands, including Original Roadhouse Grill, Caribou Coffee Company, Uno’s Restaurants and Rock Bottom Restaurants. For more information, visit www.unicru.com.

Unicru is a registered trademark of Unicru, Inc.