THE PAMPERED CHEF TO BUILD NEW CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN ADDISON

CHICAGO -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced that The Pampered Chef Ltd. plans to construct a new 780,000 square foot facility in Addison that will include the company's corporate headquarters along with warehouse and distribution space. The campus setting at Swift and Army Trail Roads is expected to result in as many as 500 new full-time jobs over the next few years.

"We are very grateful to be sharing in this Illinois success story," said Ryan. "From Doris Christopher's basement in 1980 to this world class facility planned in Addison, The Pampered Chef stands for the entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and well in our state. My administration will continue to do whatever it can to make sure small businesses have the resources available in order to grow and prosper."

The State of Illinois is assisting The Pampered Chef through a number of programs administered by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA). The company will be eligible for tax credits through the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Program and will receive designation as a High Impact Business (HIB). Employee training funds will also be made available through the Industrial Training Program (ITP).

"It makes sense for us to work with companies that have roots in Illinois on their efforts to expand and prosper," said DCCA Director Pam McDonough. "Governor Ryan's commitment to developing the state's economy and supporting small business owners has again made it possible for a homegrown Illinois company to expand its operation within our borders and provide even more jobs for Illinois residents."

Founded in 1980 by Doris Christopher, The Pampered Chef now boasts of more than 60,000 independent Kitchen Consultants worldwide and employs over 1,100 corporate staff in Illinois. The company is the premier direct-seller of professional quality kitchen tools and pantry food items, serving 13 million customers with sales in excess of $600 million.

According to The Pampered Chef's founder, Doris Christopher, "Our tremendous growth has been achieved by providing world class service to our kitchen consultants and customers. Our new headquarters will allow us the opportunity to give cutting edge service for years to come. We are thankful to the State of Illinois for the opportunity to expand our business right here in Illinois and to attract new co-workers to our growing home office team. High impact business growth is a win/win situation for all of us."

The Village of Addison is also in the process of reviewing an incentive proposal to assist The Pampered Chef with its expansion plans.

"We are very excited to have this project coming to Addison with the many new job opportunities it will provide for residents of our community," said Mayor Larry Hartwig. "We are grateful to Governor Ryan, Representative Lee Daniels and the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs for their support, and we look forward to a long working relationship with the hundreds of people associated with the new home of The Pampered Chef."