News

Arby's doubles goal for No Kid Hungry campaign

December 18, 2011

The Arby's Foundation has contributed more than $2 million to the No Kid Hungry Campaign, a national effort to end childhood hunger in America. The recent Share Your Good Mood restaurant fundraising program for the campaign more than doubled the Arby's Foundation's original pledge to raise $1 million during the fourth quarter.

"In an extraordinarily short amount of time, Arby's and its customers have made outstanding achievements toward our cause: ending childhood hunger. This sizeable contribution will allow us to allocate vital resources to children in need," said Billy Shore, CEO and founder of Share Our Strength.

According to a company release, Arby's is the first national quick-service restaurant chain to partner in a nationwide effort with the No Kid Hungry Campaign and is among the first campaign partners to collectively give and raise $2 million in the first year of a partnership. The partnership kicked off in October with the introduction of new, healthier choices on the Arby's Kids Meal menu.

The Share Your Good Mood Campaign allowed Arby's customers to donate $1 to the cause, yielding a total of more than $1.7 million in donations. The Arby's Foundation contributed an additional $300,000.

Arby's and the Arby's Foundation generated national awareness to the childhood hunger movement and to the No Kid Hungry Campaign by leveraging its digital and social media properties. In addition to the national fundraiser in-store and online, Arby's hosted a Foursquare challenge, donating $1 for every "check-in" at its restaurants nationwide. On Facebook and Twitter, Arby's provided a meter allowing fans to monitor their fundraising success. Arby's employees also participated in a series of events, including Bag Hunger Day to champion the cause.

The Arby's Foundation will continue the partnership with Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign in 2012. The Arby's Foundation also will continue supporting Share Our Strength's national and state campaigns.

54-unit franchisee files for bankruptcy

An Arby's franchisee in the Arizona market has filed for Chapter 11 protection. According to the Arizona Republic, the 54 units operating under FX4 LLC, FX4A LLC and FX4B LLC, all owned by Scottsdale, Ariz., businessman Charles Harmon, struggled through the economic downturn.

The bankruptcy proceeding will allow the operator to reject leases and close unprofitable restaurants.

The 54 units – mostly in Phoenix – employ about 850 people.

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