CHICAGO, Feb.
23 – Morton’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (NYSE:MRT) announced today that its Morton’s steakhouses raised $374,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation through a yearlong campaign that was the single largest charitable initiative in Morton’s 30-year history. Morton’s campaign essentially tripled its original fundraising goal of $125,000 to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation grant the wishes of more than 50 children with life-threatening medical conditions. The campaign was called “30 Wishes for 30 Years” in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the very first Morton’s steakhouse, which Morton’s co-founders Arnie Morton and Klaus Fritsch opened on State Street in Chicago in 1978. In 2008, Morton’s steakhouses across the United States held a series of special events and promotions to drive the success of the Make-A-Wish campaign.. One highlight was Bidding for Wishes, silent auctions that were conducted at many Morton’s steakhouses in the United States to raise almost $105,000. This exciting event offered guests the chance to bid for rare 27-liter bottles of Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon plus a Morton’s Dinner in Your Home for Eight. Other events benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation included Charles Krug wine dinners, Chimay Belgian Ale tastings, golf outings and other special activities. The Company also donated $5 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for every sale of Morton’s $19.78 Prime Sirloin Burger entree on select Sundays during the year. As part of the charitable campaign, Morton’s employees also volunteered more than 10,400 hours of their own time to support various local charities and community service organizations, as well as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, in a more personal way. “With the generous support of Morton’s valued guests and our nearly 5,000 dedicated employees, Morton’s partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2008 was a very meaningful way to celebrate Morton’s three decades of fine dining excellence and our commitment to making a positive impact in the communities where our steakhouses operate,” said Thomas J. Baldwin, Chairman, CEO and President of Morton’s Restaurant Group, Inc. “Our Make-A-Wish campaign continued Morton’s tradition of giving back to the community. Over the past four years, Morton’s steakhouses have raised more than $2 million for charitable, nonprofit and community organizations.” “I want to thank Morton’s for its truly meaningful partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America President and Chief Executive Officer. “Through special events at its steakhouses across the United States, Morton’s made a great contribution to our mission of granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.” 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 its 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 Feb. 23, 2009, the Company owned and operated 80 Morton’s steakhouses located in 69 cities in 28 states, and in Puerto Rico and five international locations (Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Toronto and Vancouver), as well as three Italian restaurants. Visit the Morton’s Web site at 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. Founded 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 66 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 26,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 174,000 wishes in the United States since its 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).