Frisch's Restaurants Inc. has found a way to put food in people's mouths that also puts workers on its payroll.
The Cincinnati restaurant chain has entered into a program with the Hamilton County Department of Human Services to put welfare recipients on its payroll. It's an effort designed to stem an employee shortage while easing the unemployed back into the work force.
Ron Heineman, vice president of human relations at Frisch's, said the company started discussions with human services last fall, after learning that the federal government would be paring the food stamp program.
''There's a labor crisis, as you know, in the service sector,'' Mr. Heineman said. ''We feel there's an untapped labor market there and a lot of people.''
Frisch's and the human services department have selected and screened a pilot group of five welfare recipients, a process that has taken about a month. Next week, the participants will interview for jobs at three Frisch's restaurants, in Queensgate; Winton Place; and Clifton, on Central Parkway. The Price Hill store also is lined up to get involved.
What is attractive about the program for parents is that Frisch's offers health benefits to those who work at least 30 hours. Further, the department of human services' subsidized employment program will assist with interim medical insurance - during the job probation period - and child care. The department also is exploring transportation resources, Loretta Workman, at human services, said.
But the next class isn't on the heels of the pilot. Ms. Workman said the department wants to determine the success of the test group before selecting more participants. Five to 10 people might be selected for the second run.
Gibson hires exec to head new division
Card maker Gibson Greetings Inc. has named a public relations expert as its Strategic Business Unit's general manager of alternative market products. H. George White III was founder and president of Top Dog Marketing a Chapel Hill, N.C.-based full-service marketing and public relations firm. His clients included Fleer/SkyBox International, the former employer of Gibson chief executive Frank O'Connell. Before that, he was vice president/public relations at Phoenix Communications in Durham, N.C.
Gibson is developing products for pets and pet lovers, mature consumers and the younger Generation X.
Gibson's Strategic Business Unit is a reorganization of its product marketing and creative management divisions, formed in November under Mr. O'Connell's direction.
Proffitt's names two to financial team
Parisian department store parent Proffitt's Inc. has named two new people to its financial management team.
Donald E. Wright, formerly a partner at Coopers & Lybrand's Atlanta office, has accepted the post of senior vice president of finance and accounting. James S. Scully, a senior vice president of corporate finance at NationsBank Corp., has been named vice president and treasurer.
Franchise group names chairman, board
The International Franchise Association named a new chairman this week but not before slipping its members a Mickey.
The national franchise association elected Century 21 Real Estate executive Jeffrey Williams at its 37th annual convention at Disney World. Eleven board members also were selected.
Other members are representatives from Mail Boxes Etc., Wendy's International Corp., Duskin Co. Ltd., Deblan Corp. (Great American Cookie Co.), Uniglobe Dynamic Travel Inc., PostNet International Franchise Corp., Dunkin' Donuts Inc., Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Express Personnel Services, Golden Corral Franchising and McDonald's Corp.
