Arby's® Raises $3 Million in Effort to End Childhood Hunger in America

ATLANTA, Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Arby's restaurants across the country raised a record-breaking $3 million in just six weeks to end childhood hunger in America, a 14% increase over 2012.

Participating Arby's restaurants collected donations from August 19 through September 29 in support of the Arby's Foundation's mission to end childhood hunger and partnership with Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry^® campaign. Customers were encouraged to donate $1 to show their support, and received a pin-up card to sign and display on the walls of their local restaurant.

"Since the beginning of this partnership, our goal was to take action to ensure that no child grows up hungry, and each year we are moving closer to that goal," said Kate Atwood, executive director, Arby's Foundation. "We are so proud of the role our franchisees, company-owned restaurants and employees have all played, working together to make such a positive impact in their communities."

"The results from our partnership with Arby's make a difference in the lives of millions of American children," said Billy Shore, founder and CEO, Share Our Strength. "The franchisees and employees have been tremendous partners of the No Kid Hungry campaign, and we are so thankful for their continued support. It enables children to spend less time worrying about their next meal and more time on just being kids."

Each of Arby's franchisees and employees played an important role in achieving this year's unprecedented results. Arby's franchisee Carisch, Inc. raised the most money, contributing more than $134,000. Carisch, Inc. owns and operates 68 Arby's restaurants in 7 states. Equally impressive, the Jasper, Alabama Arby's raised $14,641, the most money for an individual restaurant.

Arby's is the largest quick service restaurant chain to partner in a nationwide effort with Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign, and, since 2011, has raised more than $8 million for its mission. Its promotion is part of an annual movement led by the No Kid Hungry campaign, bringing together thousands of restaurants and millions of consumers across the country to support efforts to ensure that every child in the U.S. gets the food they need to learn and grow.  

Arby's has partnered with the No Kid Hungry campaign since 2011. From May until August of this year, the Arby's Foundation traveled to 30 U.S. cities during the Hungry for Happiness tour to raise awareness about childhood hunger and help increase participation in free summer meal sites around the country.  

About Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.
Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. is a leading global quick-service restaurant company operating and franchising over 3,400 restaurants worldwide. Arby's was the first nationally franchised, coast-to-coast sandwich chain and has been serving fresh, craveable meals since it opened its doors in 1964. The Arby's brand strives to inspire smiles through delicious experiences. We are on a never-ending quest for the perfect sandwich, starting with the Classic Roast Beef and French Dip to the deli-style Market Fresh line of sandwiches and salads. Visit Arbys.com for more information and to connect with Arby's on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Instagram and other social media channels.

About the Arby's Foundation, Inc.
The Arby's Foundation, whose mission is to end childhood hunger in America, is the charitable arm of Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.  Building on a philanthropic heritage that has contributed more than $57 million to child-related causes since its inception in 1986, the Arby's Foundation has launched a bold new movement to educate, mobilize and empower Americans with the knowledge and resources needed to ensure food security for every single child. With more than 16.7 million U.S. children—more than 1 in 5—facing hunger daily, the Arby's Foundation has devoted its resources to providing education and access to wholesome food choices for children across the country. The Arby's Foundation is a registered 501 (c) (3) organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.  To learn more, visit www.arbysfoundation.org.  

About Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry^® Campaign
No child should grow up hungry in America, but one in five children struggles with hunger. Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry® campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day. The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teaches low-income families to cook healthy, affordable meals through Cooking Matters.  This work is accomplished through the No Kid Hungry network, made up of private citizens, public officials, nonprofits, business leaders and others providing innovative hunger solutions in their communities. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.

SOURCE Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.