Founded in 1995 by seasoned restaurateur Steele Platt and headquartered inIrvine, California, the once privately held company sold 70-percent of itsinterest to a private-equity firm last year as part of a strategic growthplan to take the award-winning concept nationwide. Currently there are 20units throughout Southern California and Arizona with single units inDenver, suburban Chicago, Kansas City, Palm Beach Gardens, Waikiki, and LasVegas.

When Yard House first introduced its equity incentive program, threelong-term employees credited with helping to make Yard House one of thefastest growing restaurant chains in the country were rewarded for theirefforts. Among them was a former line cook, who started with the companybefore the first restaurant opened its doors, and has risen through theranks to become the company's regional kitchen manager. As part of thesecond vesting phase, more than 100 employees, including those based at thecompany's home office in Irvine, California, and several assistant generalmanagers, are now eligible to take part in the program.

"We're extremely grateful for the many contributions our employees havemade to get us to this point," says Platt, founder and chief executiveofficer. "We feel it's important to reward our hard working and dedicatedteam members, and this is one of the most effective and meaningful ways toshow our appreciation. Each and every one has been instrumental inbuilding a solid foundation for the company."

While Yard House was initially to be a stop-over on their way toestablishing careers elsewhere, many of the recipients, such as JenniferMorrison, found their professional callings instead. Like every collegestudent, Jennifer needed a job for spending money and was hired by YardHouse as a server. Upon graduation, she took an outside sales positionwith a major firm while continuing to work at Yard House. Her intent wasalways to quit her "side" job and focus on her "real" job, but instead sheended up quitting her "real" job to concentrate on a career with YardHouse. Jennifer is now in charge of the company's extensive employeetraining program Yard Core, where she serves as training and developmentcoordinator.

Aurea Victoria has a similar story. After graduating college she accepteda job several hundred miles away from Southern California. Bad weatherand pangs of homesickness brought her back to the region. She needed a jobwhile she looked for her "dream job," so she went to work in the homeoffice of Yard House as a payroll clerk. After three months, the businessmarketing major learned of an opening in the company's marketingdepartment. After meeting with her supervisor and convincing HaraldHerrmann, president and COO of Yard House that she might be a good fit forthe job, she was hired as the new marketing coordinator. Unwittingly, shefound her dream job and, less than a year after being hired, is able totake part in the company's equity stake program.

"What truly impressed me about Yard House was their willingness to investin me," says Aurea. "They helped develop my strengths, created a lifechanging opportunity, and are now rewarding my efforts. I don't know manycompanies that do as much for their employees. It makes me feel valued."

Yard House is among only a handful of casual-restaurant chains to offeremployees equity stake. Platt and his partners, Harald Herrmann andCarlito Jocson, have found such a plan to be a powerful retention tool inwhat many consider a highly competitive industry. By creating limitedownership, Yard House has created a consistent product, as well as service,at each of its locations. Platt has also found that such a plan hasappealed to industry veterans, as well as those who want a career in therestaurant industry. On average, Yard House receives approximately 1,000applications for employment when recruiting for a new restaurant location.

"We're expanding at an incredible rate," says partner Harald Herrmann,president and chief operating officer for Yard House USA, Inc.. "We needthe best the industry has to offer, both in front of the house and at theheart of the house. We want our staff to think of Yard House as if weretheir own venture, not just a place to pass time and collect a paycheck.The truth is every employee's contribution matters, from the receptionistanswering the phones at our home office to the server who directlyinteracts with our guests."

In addition to the equity stake incentive, employees can also receiveadditional benefits such as performance-based promotions, 401(K) plan,comprehensive training, a 50-hour/5-day work week, two consecutive daysoff, family health benefits, life insurance, paid vacations, and diningprivileges.

Yard House USA, Inc., which grossed more than $138 million in 2007, isbased in Irvine, California. Sales are expected to reach more than $177million this year.

Last month Yard House opened Yard House Bar & Grill in Chino Hills, asuburban community located about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. Therestaurant, a "little sister" to the original concept, is a neighborhoodeatery offering some of Yard House's most popular dishes and a selection of50 beers on tap. First year sales are estimated to be more than $6million.

About Yard House USA, Inc.:

Yard House USA, Inc. was created by restaurant veteran Steele Platt in1995. Platt, along with his partners launched the first Yard Houserestaurant a year later along the Long Beach waterfront just south of LosAngeles. Today there are 19 units in eight states. In 2007, Platt and hispartners, Harald Herrmann and Carlito Jocson, sold 70% of the company to aprivate-equity firm in order to take the company nationwide. Yard House hasreceived rave reviews from both consumer and trade publications and is therecipient of many dining accolades and awards. Most recently it was namedas having the "Best Beer List" by both Nation's Restaurant News and CheersMagazine. For more information visit www.yardhouse.com.

Facts At-A-Glance:Founder & CEO: Steele PlattHeadquarters:  Irvine, California -- Orange CountyFounded: 1996Holdings:  19 units/7 states:  California, Arizona, Kansas, Hawaii,           Florida, Colorado, Illinois, NevadaEmployees:  3100Financials:  $138 million in sales for 2007Average Check Per Person:  $14 lunch/$22 dinner

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