Heartland Payment Systems Selected as Endorsed Provider by Wisconsin Restaurant Association

The Wisconsin Restaurant Association selects Heartland Payment Systems to their exclusively endorsed credit card processor, providing credit card and debit card services to restaurant in the Wisconsin. Heartland was selected based on restaurant specialization and their performance with over 20 other restaurant and hospitality associations.

Scottsdale, AZ, April 16, 2002
Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. (HPS) is pleased to announce a recent partnership with the Wisconsin Restaurant Association (WRA). Both companies have joined forces to offer a new Special Value Program to WRA members. This partnership provides an excellent fit for WRA members. An acknowledged leader in the transaction processing industry, Heartland has extensive experience with clients specializing in foodservice and is an endorsed provider of services to several other state restaurant associations. Dedicated to the success of their members, WRA strives to develop partnerships that provide value-added services to their members to help their businesses grow and prosper. WRA members benefit by being able to better manage their time, their customers, and their businesses more effectively, and still save money by taking advantage of special membership rates offered exclusively to association members.

Since Heartlands main focus is on the restaurant industry, its no coincidence that our products and services are created to provide real benefit and value for local restaurateurs," said Sanford Brown, Senior Vice President, Hospitality Market, HPS. Weve built our business around the specific needs of our association partners and their members while operating under the premise that our merchants businesses deserve quick, accurate, reliable, and professional service. Providing special offers, benefits, and value exclusively through the WRA only enhances that principle."
Heartland is committed to the success of the restaurant industry and partnering in their success. The HPS and WRA partnership offers association members local, statewide representation from an established company that focuses on card and payroll processing specifically designed to service the restaurant industry.

Brown continued, Since we are dedicated to the restaurant industry, it is our goal to partner with an organization we believe has the most to offer local restaurateurs. Our strategy is to work side-by-side with that organization to provide as much value and assistance as we can to all restaurant owners by leveraging the benefits of both organizations. We sincerely believe that every restaurateur in the state should be a member of their local restaurant association, and were very proud to be a partner in supporting that message."

After meeting with Heartland and talking with WRA members using their services currently along with other state restaurant association partners, were convinced the Heartland partnership will bring a wonderful benefit to our association members," said Gail A. Parr, Executive Director of Operations, WRA. We chose Heartland after an extensive search of other payment processing companies. Heartlands reputation of providing true value, total commitment to the restaurant industry, unparalleled customer service, a wide array of products specifically designed to support our members, and competitive pricing all hold true. We look forward to this partnership and the services and benefits it will provide to our members today and in the years to come."

About WRA
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association is a statewide non-profit trade association, which represents thousands of restaurants in the state. Established in 1933, its mission is to protect, promote, and improve the foodservice industry in Wisconsin. WRA serves as the indispensable resource for Wisconsin restaurateurs - the business owners who make up Wisconsins second largest employer by providing over 173,000 jobs. For more information about the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, visit its web site at www.wirestaurant.org.

About Heartland
Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. (HPS) is a full-service payment systems solutions provider, handling merchant card and payroll processing services for over 55,000 merchants of all types and sizes and over 20 state restaurant and hospitality associations. Using a strategically located national sales force, HPS builds long-term business relationships in local sales territories providing merchants with enhanced technology tools that assist them in more effectively operating their businesses. For more information about HPS, please visit them online at www.HeartlandPaymentSystems.com or www.e-hps.com.
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