Charitable Giving

Meatheads Kicks Off Kids' Reading Program

QSR magazine — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Meatheads, a Chicago-based fast-casual restaurant that provides a full-service dining experience, is kicking off its third year of summer reading with the annual launch of the “2013 Voracious Reading Program.”

The program, which officially starts June 17 and runs until August 31, encourages kids to read books during the summer to stay sharp.

In 2012, the program had participation from more than 65,000 kids, and this year the program is reaching nearly 100,000 kids through local schools and libraries.

Cinnabon Offers Sweet Support for Breast Cancer Research

QSR magazine — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

When Cinnabon president Kat Cole participated in the CBS show “Undercover Boss,” she bonded with Mayra Vargas, a bakery employee. As Vargas spoke of her mother’s battle with breast cancer and her family’s challenges, the inspiration to provide guidance and support became a mission of Cole’s.

Cole and Vargas were invited back for the season finale, “Epic Bosses,” which aired this Friday, May 17. On the episode, Cole announced “Sweet Support”, a nationwide fundraiser to support breast cancer.

Franchise Vet Wins Perkins' Franchisee of the Year Award

QSR magazine — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Perkins & Marie Callender’s recognized its Franchisee of the Year, Dan Esmond, owner/operator of four Perkins Restaurants & Bakeries in Lawrence, Topeka, Great Bend, and McPherson, Kansas.

Smithfield's Receives Heart-Warming Thanks from Troops

QSR magazine — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q (SCNB) recently shipped care packages with official SCNB T-shirts and all of the ingredients needed to prepare its eastern North Carolina–style chicken, barbecue, and other southern staples to U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan.

Although the brand knew its donation would be consumed and most likely appreciated, SCNB was not fully aware of the impact and reach the gift would garner. A few weeks after the delivery, Richard Averitte, SCNB’s operations director and director of marketing, received the following letter:

Mark Wahlberg, Taco Bell Team Up to Help Kids Graduate

QSR magazine — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:30:00 +0000

The Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, in partnership with Get Schooled, announced the launch of Graduate for Mas, a program challenging teens to make a personal commitment to graduate high school.

Actor and philanthropist Mark Wahlberg, who did not finish high school himself, also announced his support of the program.

Starbucks Debuts First Non-U.S. Community Store

QSR magazine — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Starbucks Coffee Company chairman, president, and CEO Howard Schultz inaugurated the first Starbucks community store outside of the United States in the Langsuan neighborhood of Bangkok, Thailand.

Schultz was in Bangkok celebrating 15 years in the market with Starbucks partners and to officially open Starbucks’ first community store in Asia, where 10 percent of sales from Starbucks hand-crafted beverages will be directed to the farming communities of Northern Thailand.

Cinnabon Honors Nurses with Free Sweet Treats

QSR magazine — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:30:00 +0000

As a sweet thank you for the remarkable service nurses provide, Cinnabon and The DAISY Foundation are celebrating National Nurses’ Week by offering nurses free Cinnabon cinnamon rolls when they show their healthcare badges at participating bakeries May 6–12, 2013.

In addition to the Classic Roll, nurses this year can receive a Minibon Roll, a smaller version of the Cinnabon cinnamon roll.

Technomic, Share Our Strength Team Up to End Hunger

QSR magazine — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Technomic, the leading fact-based consulting and research firm serving the food industry, and Share Our Strength, the nation’s leading advocate ending childhood hunger in America, announced a partnership to support Share Our Strength’s Dine Out For No Kid Hungry campaign.

Technomic will use its numerous native communications channels—including the popular Foodservice Monitor newsletter, website, and industry events—to increase program awareness and the number of participating restaurants in Dine Out For No Kid Hungry to more than 20,000.

Jack in the Box Donates $325K to Big Brothers Big Sisters

QSR magazine — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

The Jack in the Box Foundation announced a $325,000 donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters, its primary charitable partner since 1998.

Monies for the donation were raised during the 23rd annual Jack in the Box Charity Golf Tournament, which was held April 26 in Indian Wells, California.

Bojangles' Plays Teacher's Pet For Teacher Appreciation Month

QSR magazine — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley joined South Carolina Superintendent of Education Mick Zais, South Carolina Future Minds, founding sponsor Bojangles’ and other supporters of public education to officially declare May as Teacher Appreciation Month in South Carolina.

To kick off Teacher Appreciation Month and to show its support for public education in South Carolina, Bojangles’ will provide all South Carolina teachers a Bojangles’ promotional gift card with a “secret” value of anywhere from $1 to $100.