Staples and Chicago Bears Announce First Inductee Into Staples Small Business Hall of Fame

Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) and the Chicago Bears have announced that Tasty Catering of Elk Grove Village, Ill., is the first inductee into the Staples Small Business Hall of Fame. Tasty Catering is the first of four Chicagoland small businesses to receive this honor.

In keeping with Staples’ commitment to helping small businesses, Staples has made it easy for local companies to have a chance to win one of the four Hall of Fame spots. The Staples Small Business Hall of Fame Sweepstakes is open to all Chicagoland small businesses simply by visiting www.StaplesHallofFame.com.

"We are so excited to be the first company inducted into the Staples Small Business Hall of Fame,” said Thomas Walter, chief executive officer of Tasty Catering. "With the economic climate how it is, it’s great to see that Staples recognizes the important role that small businesses play in this country.”

Founded in 1989, Tasty Catering is a full-service corporate caterer covering the entire Chicagoland market. In addition to being named to the Staples Small Business Hall of Fame, Tasty Catering will receive a prize package featuring a $2,000 Staples gift card, a free Staples EasyTech onsite consultation, two annual Economy Plus options and one annual Red Carpet Club membership from United Airlines, and a $200 Wildfire gift certificate. Staples is also donating $1,000 to the Cancer Research Foundation (www.cancerresearchfdn.org), Tasty Catering’s organization of choice. Representatives of Tasty Catering will be on hand at Soldier Field on Dec. 12 when the Bears take on the New England Patriots.

"Staples is thrilled to announce Tasty Catering as the first winner in the Staples Small Business Hall of Fame Sweepstakes,” said Bob Wolfe, Staples regional vice president. "We launched this promotion to showcase the importance of small businesses and honor them in a unique way for what they bring to the economy of the Chicagoland area. Tasty Catering is a great local success story dedicated to excellence in all areas of its business.”

About Staples

Staples, the world's largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products and services. Our broad selection of office supplies, electronics, technology and office furniture as well as business services, including computer repair and copying and printing, helps our customers run their offices efficiently. With 2009 sales of $24 billion and 91,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia serving businesses of all sizes and consumers. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today ranks second worldwide in e-commerce sales. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media.

Follow Staples on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/staplestweets and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/staples.

About Tasty Catering

Tasty Catering, a suburban-Chicago based corporate catering and event planning services company, has been exceeding the catering needs of Chicago area corporations and organizations for more than 20 years. Known for its commitment to excellence and attention to detail, Tasty Catering is built upon the single premise of providing its customers with exceptional service and quality. Tasty Catering customers include Cushman & Wakefield, Hamilton Partners, Sherman Hospital, University of Chicago, Comcast, RSM McGladrey, Cummins-Allison and Harris Bank.