As Sobelmans Pub & Grill Breaks into the Franchising Industry, Giving Back to the Local Community Remains a Top Priority

Sobelmans Pub & Grill is a name that’s recognized across the country. When people hear it, they often think of a famous Bloody Mary that features shrimp, polish sausage, cheese, pickled asparagus, celery, and a burger sticking out of the drink. For others, the brand’s name paints a picture of a perfectly made cheeseburger. But for members of the Wisconsin community, Sobelmans is also known for something else: giving back.

Whether it’s a one night only promotion or organized event, Dave Sobelman and his wife Melanie are constantly finding ways to give back to local charities and nonprofits. It all started when Dave was approached by a loyal customer who was involved with the ALS Association’s local chapter. They had a vendor back out of their annual walk at the last minute, and they needed someone to step up to the plate. Dave and Melanie happily agreed, and ended up donating 550 burgers.

Now, seven years later, Dave and Melanie are still participating in the ALS Association’s annual walk. But the donations have gotten much larger—when the event took place earlier this month, Sobelmans gave away nearly 5,000 cheeseburger sliders. The brand also brought in its house Bloody Mary mix—Jimmy Luv’s—to give away mini Bloody Marys, and had Tito’s vodka sell vodka lemonades for $2 that were then donated back to the organization. Coupons were also handed out for half price Bloody Marys at any of Sobelmans’ locations.

“It’s crazy to see how much bigger this event has gotten. There are thousands of people who come out to support the ALS Association, and it’s just exciting to be a part of it,” Sobelman said. “We may have first gotten involved on a whim, but this cause is definitely a part of our DNA now. It’s something we look forward to doing every year.”

Sobelmans is the major vendor in four large events for the ALS Association every year, including the huge walk in the fall. In March, the brand helps organize a Milwaukee Admirals hockey team game where proceeds are donated to ALS. Sobelmans then helps to throw a tailgate before a Brewers game in July, and finally hosts an event around Christmas at a local Harley Davidson dealership where they give away hundreds of mini Bloody Marys.

“Dave and Melanie Sobelman have been incredible partners in our fight against ALS. They’ve been fighting with us for the past eight years, and we hope that they continue to work with us until a cure for ALS is found,” said Melanie Roach, Executive Director of ALS Wisconsin. “We’ve had families request to reach out to the Sobelmans personally because of the strong impact they’ve made in their own lives and communities. People look forward to seeing them at our annual events.”

Beyond its involvement with the ALS Association, Sobelmans’ restaurant at Marquette University hosts charity days every Tuesday where student organizations are able to raise money for their cause of choice by donating one dollar from every burger purchased. So far, those charitable efforts have raised money for organizations like Best Buddies, the Red Cross and United Way. Sobelmans is also looking to connect with local colleges near its other restaurants to spread this weekly charity event across its system.

As the brand continues to break into the franchising industry, there’s no doubt that giving back will remain a top priority for both Sobelmans and its franchisees.

“We recently created our national marketing fund and it will be a big part of Sobelmans Gives Back. Instead of just spending money on traditional advertising, we will also use this fund for our ongoing support with charities and non-profits. This will be a great resource to build relationships and create bonds with the local organizations operating within the communities we’re proud to call home."