The simplest school fundraisers are those that offer community members the chance to help their school, sports team, or program just by buying something they already purchase regularly, like a meal. After all, everyone needs to eat! Certain restaurants take extra steps to support their local schools by providing effortless yet high-yield fundraising options. Check out this list of restaurants that definitely earn an A+ in school fundraisers.
1. Little Caesars Fundraising
Little Caesars offers the opportunity to fundraise with their stores. It’s easy! Your group starts an online fundraiser, sells Meal Deal promo codes, and earns a $6 profit on every Meal Deal sold. You can start your fundraiser today or request more information for a future fundraiser.
2. Bertucci’s
Dining for Dollars is Bertucci’s program for giving back to schools and nonprofits. On the night of your event—typically a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evening—guests present the Dining for Dollars flyer, and 15% of the check goes to your school. Contact your local Bertucci’s manager to get planning.
3. Chevys Fresh Mex
It always feels like a party is happening at Chevys Fresh Mex, with fresh Mexican food on the menu and an energetic vibe in the air. Bring your fellow supporters to your favorite participating Chevys and enjoy tasty eats and drinks. Fifteen percent of all food and drink sales, including to-go orders generated from your organization, will be donated back to you for your school! Call the manager of your local Chevys to see if they participate.
4. Panera
Panera offers dine-in fundraising events—your school will receive 20% of the sales gathered at the event! Or opt to fundraise by offering school families Panera’s Family Feasts, a new program that offers families the chance to pick up or enjoy a delivered meal for a great price—and help your organization too!
5. Boston Market
Everyone’s a winner, winner, chicken dinner when you fundraise with Boston Market. Schools can host restaurant nights to earn 15% of all pre-tax sales generated from the event, sell gift cards for a 12% profit, or order catering from Boston Market and share the profits from meal tickets sold. Learn the details of all avenues Boston Market offers to schools.
6. Chuck E. Cheese
Every elementary student’s favorite birthday party place is also a super solution for school fundraisers! In fact, more than $14 million has been donated through Chuck E. Cheese’s school fundraising events. Chuck E. Cheese provides promo materials and 10 free game tokens for each student, makes sure Chuck E. Cheese himself visits the school the day of the event, and even offers free meals for the teachers who attend. Best of all, 20% of profits will be donated to your cause with 3,000+ total dollars spent, 15% donated with under $3,000. Fill out the online event request form and immediately get started planning with restaurants that offer school fundraisers.
7. Houlihan’s
Houlihan’s is known for its freshly made American cuisine and a chic-but-casual sit-down atmosphere. Many of its 100 or so locations participate in “dine to donate” fundraisers with local schools. All requests are handled at the grassroots level, so reach out to the general manager at your local Houlihan’s and support local restaurants that do school fundraisers!
8. Panda Express
Scheduling a fundraiser where families love to dine = more participation = more raised for your organization, and Panda Express is a proven family favorite. Invite friends and family to dine in or take out, and Panda will donate 20% of the event sales to your school or organization. Schedule your next fundraiser with Panda Express’ easy online application.
9. Buffalo Wild Wings
Schools are the big winners in Buffalo Wild Wings’ Eat Wings, Raise Funds programs, which have donated more than $1 million to local nonprofits. A portion of the sales from your community’s restaurant-night event will be donated to your school. To apply for an Eat Wings event, fill out the online application.
10. Chipotle
Chipotle helps public and private K–12 schools by hosting in-restaurant fundraisers, making for a fun night out with the fam that also supports your school. Best of all, your school will receive 33% of the proceeds brought in by your supporters (pre-tax), meaning if your supporters bring in $300, they’ll send you a check for $100! The application for your event or donation request can be filled out completely online too, making it easier than ever to set up your fundraising festivity. Be sure to allow at least three weeks for a response to your request. Every Chipotle fundraiser gets a unique code that your supporters enter online for pickup at your local Chipotle.
11. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse is proud to support local schools and sports teams by offering a local fundraiser program where they give 20% back! Over the past 5 years, these fundraiser events have raised over $1.5 million for community organizations. Now it’s even easier to earn money for your group or organization with BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse’s brand-new digital fundraising program.
12. Home Run Inn Pizza
What busy family on-the-go wouldn’t appreciate a delicious pizza dinner on a school night? Home Run Inn Take n’ Bake fundraising makes it easy for your school to raise funds. Purchase cheesy, quality Take n’ Bake pizzas to earn 30% back for your local school or community organization.
13. IHOP
Got pancakes? IHOP makes it easy to fundraise for your school and sports team with the IHOP FlipGive fundraising app. Simply create an account and invite your local school community members or teammates, then shop online, in-store, or buy gift cards and you’ll earn a percentage of every purchase.
14. Krispy Kreme
Raise some dough! Krispy Kreme Fundraising was created in 1955 to provide a way for qualifying community organizations to raise funds for their worthwhile causes via their delectable doughnuts. Take your fundraising online with their latest program, Digital Dozens, a contactless and convenient way to raise money. Simply sell Original Glazed Donuts virtually to friends and family, and distribute redeemable codes via email.
Here are 43 more restaurants that do fundraisers:
- Applebee’s
- Auntie Anne’s
- Baskin Robbins
- BD’s Mongolian Grill
- Buona Beef
- Burger King
- California Pizza Kitchen
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Chili’s
- Cicis Pizza
- Corner Bakery
- Cousins Subs
- Del Taco
- El Pollo Loco
- Famous Dave’s
- Friendly’s
- Fuddruckers
- In-n-Out Burger
- Jamba Juice
- Jersey Mike’s
- Lou Malnati’s
- Marie Callender’s
- McAlister’s Deli
- Mellow Mushroom
- Mod Pizza
- Moe’s Southwest Grill
- Noodles and Company
- On the Border
- Papa John’s
- P.F. Chang’s
- Pieology
- Pizza Hut
- Pizza Ranch
- Portillo’s
- Potbelly
- Red Robin
- Rubio’s
- Smashburger
- TGIFriday’s
- Uno Pizzeria and Grill
- Wendy’s
- Which Wich
- Yogurtini
We also recommend checking out sites like GroupRaise for even more fundraising opportunities in your area!
To give or get more advice on school fundraisers, come and share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, check out 10 Fundraising Ideas Your Whole School Will Love.
