Chicago, IL —August 16, 2018 – The National Restaurant Association, the leading business association for the restaurant industry, and Beam Suntory, one of the world’s leading premium spirits companies, are partnering to promote responsible service through their proprietary programs, ServSafe Alcohol® and Drink Smart.®
ServSafe Alcohol is the industry’s premier alcohol service training program developed by the National Restaurant Association. Drink Smart is Beam Suntory’s global proprietary program for educating consumers about the responsible consumption of alcohol. Through this partnership, Beam Suntory and the National Restaurant Association will develop co-branded content to be used as alcohol safety education for the restaurant and hospitality industry, reaching over one million industry professionals each year.
“This partnership demonstrates Beam Suntory’s commitment to responsible service and consumption of alcohol,” said Sherman Brown, Executive Vice President, Training and Certification, ServSafe. “Our entire association and broader industry will benefit from our shared commitment to educating employees in responsible alcohol service.”
This agreement serves to extend Beam Suntory’s Drink Smart platform beyond consumer education and into responsible alcohol service at retail and restaurant locations. The co-branded educational materials for the ServSafe Alcohol program will be available in time for the restaurant industry’s Serv-It-Up program in the fourth quarter.
“We are so pleased to be partnering with the National Restaurant Association and know that this relationship will send a strong message about the commitment of Jim Beam and our entire brand portfolio to responsible beverage service by the trade and responsible consumption by consumers,” said Ken Ruff, Beam Suntory’s Vice President, National Accounts On-Premise. “As part of our global commitment to reduce alcohol misuse, partnering with retailers and restaurants is critical to ensuring that alcohol is served appropriately, and everyone stays safe.”
Beam Suntory funds a wide array of programs, partnerships and associations across the globe focused on responsible marketing, alcohol education, and reducing drunk driving and underage drinking. The company’s investments in these programs have exceeded $20 million over the past decade.