BURGER KING(SM) Scholars Program Gives 'Class Of 2014' 2.6 Million Reasons To Smile

MIAMI, May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For more than 2,300 high school seniors, the dream of walking across the stage and receiving a diploma just got even more exciting. This year, each one will be receiving a scholarship to help their dreams of a college education become a reality. The BURGER KING^SM Scholars program, the premier program of the BURGER KING McLAMORE^SM Foundation, today announced that it has just awarded more than $2.6 million in scholarships to high school graduates in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

Awarded in denominations ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, three $50,000 James W. McLamore WHOPPER™ Scholarship Awards, 19 $5,000 regional scholarships and more than 2,000 $1,000 scholarships were awarded to this year's graduates.

Created in memory of BURGER KING® co-founder James W. McLamore, the BURGER KING^SM Scholars program celebrates the commitment to philanthropy and education that made him a pillar of community service throughout his lifetime.

"Beyond their academic achievements, this year's winners exemplify diversity, dependability, service, leadership and all-around academic excellence," said Jill Granat, president of the BURGER KING McLAMORE^SM Foundation. "We are honored to carry on Mr. McLamore's legacy through a generation that demonstrates these qualities to such an outstanding degree."

Available to high school seniors, BURGER KING^® employees and their spouses or domestic partners and children across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, the BURGER KING^SM Scholars program has awarded more than 21,000 outstanding students with more than $22.6 million in scholarships since its inception.

As key contributors to the program, the BURGER KING® franchisee community understands the power of supporting the next generation. "The scholarship program helps bring the dream of college within reach for many hardworking students challenged by the financial hardships of tuition," said Joe Steininger, Director of Operations, PDM Company, Inc., a BURGER KING® franchisee since 1976. "With every scholarship awarded, we take another step toward helping a deserving student reach their professional dreams."

Recipients are selected based on their grade point average, extracurricular activities, community service and work experience. For more information on the program, including instructions for obtaining scholarship applications for 2015, please visit www.bkmclamorefoundation.org.

ABOUT THE BURGER KING McLAMORE^SM FOUNDATION
The BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) Foundation is a 501(C) (3) not-for-profit public charity, whose global effort is aimed at supporting the advancement of education around the world. Inspired by BURGER KING® co-founder James W. McLamore, its mission is to make a positive impact in our communities by building brighter futures through education and providing hardship assistance to members of the BURGER KING® family. The BURGER KING McLAMORE^SM Foundation also partners with select charitable organizations worldwide that share its mission of advancing education. To learn more about the BURGER KING McLAMORE^SM Foundation, visit www.bkmclamorefoundation.org, follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or call 305-378-3186.

ABOUT BURGER KING WORLDWIDE, INC.
Founded in 1954, BURGER KING® (NYSE: BKW) is the second largest fast food hamburger chain in the world. The original HOME OF THE WHOPPER®, the BURGER KING® system operates in over 13,000 locations serving more than 11 million guests daily in 97 countries and territories worldwide. Approximately 100 percent of BURGER KING® restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees, many of them family-owned operations that have been in business for decades. To learn more about Burger King Worldwide, please visit the company's website at www.bk.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

CONTACT:
Burger King Worldwide, Inc.    305/378-7277                          [email protected]
Marilyn Luna, RockOrange      305/731-2388                          [email protected]
Alix Salyers, RockOrange       312/445-9495                          [email protected]

SOURCE The BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) Foundation