Chain Restaurants That Do Fundraisers

Restaurant fundraisers are dine-and-donate partnerships where a chain restaurant donates a percentage of qualifying sales from your supporters during a set time window. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, more than 50,000 organizations have used CharityAuctions since 2007. Schools and nonprofits use restaurant fundraisers as low-cost community events that require no venue, no setup, and minimal volunteer time. Many organizations pair a restaurant night with an online auction or raffle running the same week to raise more from a single promotional push. For more food-based ideas, see 10 food fundraising ideas. For events where the food comes to you, see food truck fundraiser.

We love to eat. And we love doing it with our family and friends. Eating at a fun restaurant with a table full of favorite people turns a meal into a memorable event. And if we go to restaurants that do fundraisers, all the better! This is precisely why "dine and donate" fundraising works so well.

Let's look at restaurants that do fundraisers from their perspective. Community is an essential part of any restaurant. Restaurant owners like the opportunity to support it, and most offer discounted dining.

Partner with Restaurants, Then Power Your Own Event

You have restaurant fundraisers in your toolkit. Amplify them by launching an auction alongside to increase engagement, donations, and awareness. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats. Pairing a restaurant night with an online silent auction running the same week is one of the highest-impact upgrades for any school or nonprofit.

How to Hold Successful Restaurant Fundraisers

Restaurant fundraisers can be a powerful tool for raising funds. They offer a unique blend of community engagement and delicious food.

But how do you ensure your restaurant fundraiser is a success?

This guide will provide you with actionable fundraising tips and strategies. From choosing the right restaurant partner to promoting your event effectively, we've got you covered.

So, whether you're a school group, a non-profit organization, or a community leader, read on to learn how to hold successful restaurant fundraisers.

Understanding the Basics of Restaurant Fundraisers

Restaurant fundraisers involve partnering with a local eatery to raise money for a cause. The restaurant donates a portion of the event's sales to your organization.

Such fundraisers leverage the restaurant's existing clientele and your community's support. They can significantly increase funds and awareness for your cause.

Typically, these events are simple to organize. Restaurant staff handle the service, allowing you to focus on spreading the word and engaging attendees.

Building a good relationship with the restaurant is crucial. This ensures a seamless event and increases potential for future collaboration.

Choosing the Right Restaurant Partner

Selecting a suitable restaurant partner is key to a successful fundraiser. The restaurant should share similar values with your organization.

Consider the restaurant's location and customer base. Ideally, it should align with your target audience for maximum turnout.

Assess the restaurant's willingness to promote the event. A proactive partner can help spread the word more effectively.

Discuss profit-sharing terms upfront. Negotiating fair terms ensures both parties benefit and sets clear expectations.

Setting Clear Goals and Expectations

Before planning your fundraiser, define specific goals. Understanding how much you aim to raise is crucial.

Share your goals with the restaurant. Clear expectations help both parties work towards the same objectives.

Discuss event details with the restaurant partner. Aligning on logistics like timing and resource needs ensures smooth execution.

Crafting a Compelling Message

Create a message that resonates with your audience. Highlight the cause and why it's important.

Make sure your message is clear and inspiring. This encourages more people to participate and donate.

Tailor your communication to different platforms. Consistency across all channels reinforces your cause's significance.

Promoting Your Fundraiser Effectively

Spread the word using diverse promotional channels. Combine both online and offline strategies for greater reach.

Social media, email, and local media can boost visibility. Engage with followers to create excitement about the event.

Include details in newsletters and local bulletin boards. This allows the community to stay informed and interested.

Reach out to local influencers or community leaders. Their support can draw more attention to your fundraiser.

Utilizing Social Media and Local Networks

Utilize platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Share regular updates and visuals about your fundraiser.

Connect with local groups and community pages. Their networks can help increase your event's visibility.

Creating Eye-Catching Promotional Materials

Design flyers and posters that capture attention. Use vibrant colors and include essential details.

Ensure your materials are consistent with your branding. Consistency helps build trust and recognition.

National Chain Restaurants That Do Fundraisers

These are the top 10 national restaurant chains that do fundraisers for organizations and schools, along with details of their fundraising programs:

Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A offers a fundraising program called "Spirit Night," where organizations can host an event at their local Chick-fil-A restaurant. During the event, a percentage of the sales generated by supporters of the organization is donated back to the organization.

Panera Bread: Panera Bread has a program called "Dough-Nation," where organizations can sell Panera gift cards at a discounted rate and keep a portion of the proceeds. Panera Bread also offers "Community Breadbox" events where a percentage of sales during a designated period goes to the organization.

Chipotle Mexican Grill: Chipotle has a fundraising program called "Chipotle Fundraisers," where organizations can host an event at their local Chipotle restaurant. Supporters present a flyer or mention the fundraiser at checkout, and your organization gets a percentage of the sales back. Apply at their fundraiser request form.

Pizza Hut: Pizza Hut offers a fundraising program called "Book It! Program," specifically designed for schools. The program encourages students to read by rewarding them with free pizza certificates. Schools can use these certificates as incentives or rewards for various reading-related activities.

McDonald's: McDonald's has a fundraising program called "McTeacher's Night," where teachers and staff members from schools volunteer to work at McDonald's for an evening. A percentage of the sales generated during that time is returned to the school.

Subway: Subway offers a fundraising program called "Subway Fundraising Cards," where organizations can sell Subway gift cards at a discounted rate and keep a portion of the proceeds. This allows supporters to enjoy Subway meals while supporting the organization.

Dairy Queen: Dairy Queen has a fundraising program called "DQ Cakes for a Cause," where organizations can sell DQ cake coupons. A percentage of the sales from these coupons is donated back to the organization.

Papa John's: Papa John's offers a fundraising program where organizations can sell Papa John's pizza cards. These cards offer discounts on pizza purchases, and a portion of the proceeds goes to the organization.

Applebee's: Applebee's has a fundraising program called "Dining to Donate," where organizations can host a fundraising event at their local Applebee's restaurant. A percentage of the sales generated during the event is donated to the organization. See also Applebee's Community page.

Buffalo Wild Wings: Buffalo Wild Wings offers a fundraising program called "Eat Wings, Raise Funds," where organizations can host an event at their local Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant. Supporters present a flyer or mention the fundraiser at checkout, and a percentage of the sales is given back to the organization.

Top 10 National Pizza Chain Restaurants That Do Fundraisers

In the United States, several national pizza chain restaurants do fundraisers for organizations, nonprofits, causes, and schools. These opportunities allow groups to raise funds by partnering with pizza chains and receiving a percentage of the sales generated through their fundraising efforts.

Domino's Pizza: Domino's Pizza offers a fundraising program called "Dough Raiser." Organizations can partner with their local Domino's store and receive a percentage of the sales made during a designated fundraising period. Participants can promote the event by distributing flyers or sharing an online ordering code. The percentage of sales donated varies by location.

Papa John's: Papa John's has a fundraising program called "Papa Cares." Non-profit organizations can partner with Papa John's to host a "Pizza Night" fundraiser. During the event, participants can order pizzas using a unique promo code, and a percentage of the sales is given to the organization.

Pizza Hut: Pizza Hut offers a fundraising program called "Pizza Hut Fundraising Cards." Organizations can purchase these cards at a discounted price and sell them to supporters. Each card typically offers discounts on multiple pizza purchases, and a portion of the proceeds goes back to the organization.

Little Caesars: Little Caesars has a fundraising program called "Fundraising Kits." Organizations can purchase these kits, which include vouchers for discounted pizzas. You can sell the vouchers to supporters, and the organization keeps a portion of the proceeds.

Marco's Pizza: Marco's Pizza offers a fundraising program called "Dine to Donate." Organizations can partner with their local Marco's Pizza store and host a fundraising night where supporters dine in or order takeout using a promo code. A percentage of the sales generated during the event is donated to the organization.

Round Table Pizza: Round Table Pizza has a fundraising program called "Community Fundraisers." Organizations can partner with their local Round Table Pizza restaurant and host a fundraising night. Supporters can dine in or order takeout, mentioning the fundraiser, and a percentage of the sales is donated to the organization.

Godfather's Pizza: Godfather's Pizza offers a fundraising program called "Pizza Dough for Dollars." Organizations can sell discounted pizza certificates to supporters, and a portion of the proceeds goes back to the organization. The certificates are redeemed at participating Godfather's Pizza locations.

Sbarro: Sbarro has a fundraising program called "Slice of Support." Organizations can partner with Sbarro to host a fundraising event at their local Sbarro restaurant. Supporters can mention the fundraiser when ordering, and you'll get a percentage of the sales.

Donatos Pizza: Donatos Pizza offers a fundraising program called "Dough Raising." Organizations can sell discounted pizza certificates to supporters, and a portion of the proceeds goes back to the organization. The certificates are redeemed at participating Donatos Pizza locations.

Hungry Howie's: Hungry Howie's has a fundraising program called "Howie's Dough Raiser." Organizations can sell discounted pizza certificates or coupon booklets to supporters, and a percentage of the proceeds goes back to the organization. The certificates or coupons are redeemed at participating Hungry Howie's locations.

Regional Chain Restaurants That Do Fundraisers

For your convenience, we've separated the US into seven regions containing popular chain restaurants that do fundraisers for schools, causes, organizations, and nonprofits: Pacific Coastal, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and New England.

Midwest Regional Chain Restaurants That Do Fundraisers

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse: This chain of casual dining restaurants serves various dishes, such as pizza, pasta, burgers, salads, and desserts. They offer a local fundraiser program where they give back 20% of sales to your cause.

Bertucci's: This chain of Italian restaurants offers brick oven pizzas, pasta, salads, and more. They have a Dining for Dollars program where they donate 15% of sales to your cause.

Culver's: This chain of fast-food restaurants is famous for its butter burgers, frozen custard, and cheese curds. They host fundraisers that give back 10–25% of sales to your organization.

Noodles & Company: This chain of fast-casual restaurants serves noodles, salads, soups, and sandwiches from different cuisines. They host fundraisers that give back 25% of sales to your cause.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop: This chain of sandwich shops offers toasted sandwiches, salads, soups, shakes, and cookies. They support local causes by hosting fundraisers that give back 25% of sales.

New England Regional Chain Restaurants That Do Fundraisers

D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches: This chain of sandwich shops serves grilled sandwiches, salads, wraps, and more. They host fundraisers that give back 20% of sales to your cause.

Bertucci's: This chain of Italian restaurants offers brick oven pizzas, pasta, salads, and more. They have a Dining for Dollars program where they donate 15% of sales to your cause.

Ninety-Nine Restaurant & Pub: This chain of casual dining restaurants serves American fare, such as burgers, steaks, seafood, and salads. They support local causes by hosting fundraisers that give back 15% of sales. See their dining for a cause guidelines.

Uno Pizzeria & Grill: This chain of pizza restaurants offers deep-dish pizzas, flatbreads, pasta, and more. They host Dough Rai$ers, donating up to 20% of sales to your organization.

Papa Gino's Pizzeria: This chain of pizza restaurants serves hand-tossed pizzas, calzones, subs, and more. Their fundraiser program gives back 20% of sales to your cause.

Rocky Mountains Regional Chain Restaurants That Do Fundraisers

Illegal Pete's: This chain of Mexican restaurants serves burritos, tacos, nachos, bowls, and more. They host fundraisers that give back 50% of sales to your cause.

Smashburger: This chain of burger restaurants offers fresh burgers, fries, salads, shakes, and more. They host fundraisers that give back 25% of sales to your organization.

Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh: This chain of fast-casual restaurants serves healthy Mediterranean food, such as pitas, falafel, salads, and hummus. They support local causes by hosting fundraisers that give back 20% of sales.

Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom: This chain of pizza restaurants offers handcrafted pizzas, calzones, pasta, sandwiches, and beers. They host fundraisers that donate 15% of sales to your cause.

Bad Daddy's Burger Bar: This chain of burger restaurants serves gourmet burgers, salads, fries, shakes, and more. They offer a local fundraiser program where they give back 20% of sales to your cause.

Pacific Coastal Regional Chain Restaurants That Do Fundraisers

MOD Pizza: This pizza chain has over 400 locations across the US. They offer a 20% donation back to your cause when you host a fundraiser with them. See MOD Pizza fundraisers and Spreading MODness program.

Rubio's Coastal Grill: This chain specializes in fresh Mexican food with a coastal twist. They host fundraisers that give back 30% of sales to your organization.

The Habit Burger Grill: This burger chain offers char-grilled burgers, sandwiches, salads, and shakes. They host fundraisers that donate 20% of sales to your school, organization, nonprofit, or cause.

Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks: This chain serves burgers, fries, salads, and tropical drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. They support local causes by hosting fundraisers that give back 20% of sales.

Sauce Pizza & Wine: This chain of pizza restaurants serves hand-stretched pizzas, salads, pasta, soups, and wine. They offer a local fundraiser program where they give back 20% of sales to your cause.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Chain Restaurants That Do Fundraisers

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse: This chain serves a variety of dishes, such as pizza, pasta, burgers, salads, and desserts. They offer a local fundraiser program where they give back 20% of sales to your cause.

Panera: This chain of bakery-cafe restaurants offers sandwiches, salads, soups, pastries, and more. They host dine-in fundraising events that give back 25% of sales to your cause.

Bertucci's: This chain of Italian restaurants offers brick oven pizzas, pasta, salads, and more. They have a Dining for Dollars program where they donate 15% of sales to your cause.

Friendly's: This chain of family-friendly restaurants serves ice cream, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and breakfast items. They host fundraisers that donate 20% of sales to your cause.

Southeast Regional Chain Restaurants That Do Fundraisers

Chick-fil-A: This chain of fast-food restaurants serves chicken sandwiches, nuggets, salads, and more. They support local causes by hosting fundraisers that give back a percentage of sales to your organization.

Zaxby's: This chain of fast-food restaurants offers chicken fingers, wings, sandwiches, salads, and more. They support local causes by hosting fundraisers that give back 10–20% of sales.

Chuy's: This chain of Tex-Mex restaurants serves authentic dishes, such as enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, and margaritas. They host fundraisers that give back 15% of sales to your organization.

Moe's Southwest Grill: This chain of fast-casual restaurants serves fresh and customizable Mexican food. They host fundraisers that give back 15–20% of sales to your cause.

Tijuana Flats: This chain of Tex-Mex restaurants offers burritos, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and more. They offer a local fundraiser program where they give back 20% of sales to your cause.

Southwest Regional Chain Restaurants That Do Fundraisers

Zoës Kitchen: This chain of fast-casual restaurants offers fresh Mediterranean food, such as hummus, salads, sandwiches, and kabobs. They host fundraisers that give back 25% of sales to your organization.

Grimaldi's Pizzeria: This chain of pizza restaurants offers coal-fired brick oven pizzas, salads, calzones, and desserts. They host fundraisers that donate 15% of sales to your cause.

Sauce Pizza & Wine: This chain of pizza restaurants serves hand-stretched pizzas, salads, pasta, soups, and wine. They offer a local fundraiser program where they give back 20% of sales to your cause.

Restaurants That Donate Food to Fundraising Events

While most of the restaurants we list here offer gift cards or have dine-in programs where portions of their sales will be given to a specific cause, you might be wondering if any will donate food to your fundraising event.

This is a complex question. Many of these brands are franchises, and their corporate office can't necessarily commit a location to catering an event: they don't know what that location can afford to donate in terms of resources and time. So even if you just want a few celebratory pizzas at the end of your read-a-thon, you will need to ask your local general manager if they are willing and able to accommodate your request.

The good news is that many local restaurants are often willing to donate food, especially for smaller events. Reach out to the general manager of your local restaurants and ask if they are willing to donate food to your event, then work out how much food and when. Make sure you give them plenty of lead time to accommodate your order: asking the week-of is a bad idea.

It also isn't realistic to ask a restaurant to cater a large event for free (with some exceptions). Catering means making a lot of food, keeping it fresh before serving it, and getting it to your venue. This is no mean logistical feat, so keep that in mind when making your request.

If you make your realistic request respectfully, you'll probably create a new relationship with the people who own or work at your local restaurants. In the future, you will be able to rely on them for food or other kinds of support. This type of community building is invaluable to any nonprofit.

After your restaurant fundraiser

Thank supporters within 24 hours. Share what you raised and what it funds. Post on social and tag the restaurant. A quick recap email keeps donors engaged and builds momentum for your next event. See post auction follow up for thank you email templates that work for restaurant fundraisers too.

Sample Message to Request a Fundraiser

Hello [Manager Name],
I'm with [Organization], and we'd love to host a fundraiser at your [Location].
We can bring [#] local families/supporters on a weeknight and promote across email and social.
Could we book a date in [Month]? Please share your give-back %, eligible order types, and tracking method.
We can provide our EIN and W-9 upon approval. Thank you!
[Name, Role, Phone, Email]

For bigger revenue events, pair a restaurant fundraiser with an online auction or raffle. See our guide to businesses that help fundraise for more partnership ideas. See school fundraising ideas for more formats that work alongside restaurant fundraisers. See charity auction promotion for a full promotion calendar you can adapt for restaurant nights.

For more food-based ideas, such as bake sales, pancake breakfasts, and chili cook-offs, see 10 food fundraising ideas. For bringing a mobile kitchen to your event, see food truck fundraiser. Create an auction to combine dining fundraisers with mobile bidding and live events.