#benefitnights

[amyrivard]

I’m looking forward to performing for the @4theajproject this Saturday at @astoriaworldmanor We have an amazing lineup of talent including @drewseeley @lord.harkness @erichschuett @w3irdo_supreme @perrellimusic & more! Please support this wonderful cause! #benefit #4theajproject #benefit #benefitnights #benefits #charitygala #charity #astorianyc #astoriany #astoriaworldmanor (at The Astoria World Manor)

[edrover]

34 Chain Restaurants That Offer School Fundraising Nights

School fundraising nights at chain restaurants are a great opportunity to raise funds and build community. Many local restaurants will do this, and surprisingly, many very large chain restaurants are very active supporters of local schools too.

Many restaurants offer benefit nights where 10-20% of the nights’ receipts go to a designated 501(c)(3) charity. Some will print flyers for you, and may share in the responsibilities of publicizing the event. However, you should expect to spend time spreading the word through your calendar, newsletter, outdoor signage, PA announcements, send-home flyers, teacher reminders and any other methods you have at your disposal!

Why do restaurants do this? There are three main reasons:

To fill seats on normally empty nights (typically slow weeknights are  Monday-Wednesday)

To attract new customers that may not have tried the restaurant

To project a positive image of their brand in the community

Why should your school try school fundraising nights?

Everyone has to eat!

It’s a great way to build community and socialize with friends

It is not as complex as running fundraising events at school

The prices are not inflated like some other fundraisers

The restaurant gives a generous portion of the receipts back to the school

To prevent your supporters from growing weary of too many events or poorly run events, follow these simple tips:

Hold only one school fundraising night per month - doing more is overkill and will dampen enthusiasm

Try to hold these nights on days with less homework

Do your best to rotate the restaurant each time to accommodate all tastes

If you have a large school, schedule two consecutive nights so the staff is not overwhelmed and the patrons are not turned off by the crowds

Enlist “celebrity servers” – alumni, staff, PTA leaders, athletes, local luminaries, etc.

While you have a captive audience, consider passing the Helmet, Hat, Bucket, or other convenient receptacle for additional donations

Make sure you have a good plan with the restaurant for tracking orders and getting paid. 

Remember to thank those supporters who come and the restaurant staff

And now, without further ado…here are 34 chain restaurants with active school fundraising programs on their websites. We hope you enjoy picking a few to try this year. Please leave us a comment if this list was helpful or if you have more restaurants to add!

Applebees

Arby's

Baja Fresh

bd's Mongolian Grill

Boston Market

Brusters Ice Cream

Buffalo Wild Wings

California Pizza Kitchen

Cheeburger Cheeburger

Chevys Fresh Mex

Chick-fil-A

Chili's

Chipotle

Chuck E Cheese

Culvers

Fresh Choice  

Friendly's

Fuddruckers

Jamba Juice

Jersey Mike's Subs

Max & Erma's

McDonalds

Outback Steak House

Panda Express

Panera Bread

Papa Murphy's

Pizzeria Uno

Ponderosa

Rubio’s

Sonic Drive-In

Subway

Sweet Tomatoes

Tortuga Cantina

Wendy's

Don't forget to try the edRover for school fundraising! Use edRover.com to shop to earn a donation for your school - any night of the year!