Pioneering Woman Entrepreneur Jumpstarts U.S. Job Market – Press Release

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Patrice Rice Puts America’s Hospitality Professionals to Work and Ambitious Entrepreneurs into Business Ownership

DUNKIRK, Md. – February, 2010 – The first female Captain to navigate the waters of America’s famed Chesapeake Bay is throwing the sinking U.S. job market a life raft.

With more than 600 management positions to fill at national restaurant, hotel and casino chains, and thousands of jobs to be created through the growth of her franchise business, Patrice Rice is doing her part to right the ship. Rice, the acclaimed author of How to Interview and founder of Patrice & Associates, a leading nationwide network of hospitality industry recruiters, is giving Americans hope amid a bleak job market.

“Unlike other sectors, the sheer volume of the U.S. hospitality industry continues to create exciting employment and new business ownership opportunities,” said Rice, who started Patrice & Associates two decades ago following her success with Chesapeake Cruising, a charter boat company she launched and grew to a fleet of 26 vessels. “Restaurants alone employ 12 million people in this country and, remarkably, the number of foodservice managers is expected to increase 11 percent from 2005 to 2015. There are tremendous job advancement possibilities and career options available.”

Patrice & Associates’ work in the restaurant industry is a prime example of the strength of the hospitality segment. With three quarters of the U.S. population eating out at least once a week and a quarter at least every two or three days, restaurants provide a stable ground from which Patrice & Associates is building its presence across the country. Several well-known national brands have hired the search firm to find top talent for their management positions, allowing company personnel to focus on operating their stores.

Since launching the Patrice & Associates franchise opportunity nearly a year ago, the company has struck deals with 30 individuals who have opened their own Patrice & Associates franchise. In the midst of the worst job market since the Great Depression, these offices are filling positions for more than 100 national hospitality companies. With momentum behind her business, Rice projects opening franchise offices in each of the 50 states to provide the company’s clients with the personal service that has built Patrice & Associates into an industry leader.

“There are several factors driving the growth of our franchise. First and foremost, our clients trust us to present them with the best candidates possible for their openings,” added Rice. “In addition, our franchise opportunity features a proven business model which has carried the company to the top of the heap among hospitality search firms.”

Patrice & Associates provides extensive support for its franchisees, who are referred to as Regional Recruiting Managers. The company sources new clients and conducts all billing and collections efforts on behalf of its franchise system. As a result, the Regional Recruiting Managers are better able to provide the right guidance to their clients and to place the best possible candidates for each opening. The franchise opportunity is ideal for first-time business owners, given the existing client base, low ramp-up time and extensive training.

“We are in a unique position to positively impact hundreds upon hundreds of lives,” said Rice. “It’s tough out there right now for businesses and for professionals. The job search process can be a stressful, daunting task. We ease the burden for job seekers – in the end helping their families and beyond.”

About Patrice & Associates

Patrice & Associates is one of the nation’s largest privately held search firms specializing in the hospitality industry. With 20 years of operations behind it, Patrice & Associates began franchising in December 2008 and today has 30 offices open.