Franchises Giving Back

Giving back to the community is a core value that is upheld by many reputable companies both small and large. It’s the perfect way to thank the community for their patronage and, obviously, donations of time, money or resources have a positive impact on the community as well as the business.

“We have a responsibility as businesses to give back to communities that we do business in,” said Randy Shacka, President of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK*®. “Giving back to the community is one of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®’s core values and has been part of our fabric since Mary Ellen Sheets started this company in the mid 80’s.”

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® makes donations as a corporation as well as through their individual franchises. The 330-unit franchise encourages franchisees worldwide to give back to their communities via parades, helping during disasters and donations of time and dollars to make their communities a better place.

As a collective, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has donated more than 20,000 hours of moving to charities, which equates to around $2.2 million. The franchise also donates 10 cents of every move to the American Cancer Society. Last year, the company presented the Cancer Society with a check for more than $45,000.

In search of a campaign to bring together franchisees across the system, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® launched Movers for Moms® in 2012. Franchise locations across the country collect donations for women every spring and deliver them to local women’s and family shelters on or before Mother’s Day. In 2014, more than 220,000 items were collected and donated to shelters across the country.

The success of Movers for Moms® also inspired the Movers of Military program, which began in 2014. Similar to the Mother’s Day campaign, local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® locations partner with schools, businesses, and veteran’s shelters to collect essential care items each fall and deliver them to the shelters the week of Veteran’s Day.

Large-scale charity events allow brands to make a greater impact, and also act as a positive team-building exercise. A great example of this is the Spreading Party recently organized by Which Wich, a national, fast-casual sandwich concept.

The event was a part of the brand’s franchise convention, where more than 500 franchisees, corporate staff and volunteers gathered in an attempt to surpass the existing Guinness World Record for most sandwiches made in an hour. The group broke the record with 26,710 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which they donated to non-profit organizations based in Dallas, the company’s home city.

The event was also in support of Which Wich’s newly launched philanthropic campaign, Project PB&J®, where for every PB&J sandwich purchased in a Which Wich location, the company donates a PB&J to a local cause and banks one for their global initiative trust.

“We believe a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich can change the world,” said Hala Habal, Which Wich’s Director of Communications. “Project PB&J® started in January 1, 2014 to bring comfort and comfort food to those in the world who need it; to let them know someone out there cares.”

From those affected by natural disasters to local organizations, Project PB&J is trying to bring a smile to the face of those in need and a meal to their belly. Now Project PB&J is featured in all Which Wich stores across the country.

For some companies, giving back to the internal community is just as important as supporting outside organizations.

“At Checkers* & Rally’s, we encourage our franchisees and operators to support local charities that they believe are the most impactful to their local communities,” said Terri Snyder, CMO and EVP of Checkers & Rally’s. “Each year, we recognize and reward one charitable franchisee with the “Community Involvement” award at our national convention.”

As a part of Checkers & Rally’s culture of putting team members first, the company created the Checkers & Rally’s Employee Relief Fund (CARE). CARE is a nonprofit public charity designed to assist eligible company and franchise employees who face hardships due to natural disasters, personal tragedies or other events beyond their control. It is funded by generous, voluntary donations from Checkers & Rally’s franchisees, employees, supplier partners and the general public.

Since its inception following Hurricane Katrina, where multiple Rally’s locations were affected, CARE has provided more than $260,000 in assistance to more than 300 employees.

“One of our brand values is to Passionately Serve Others,” Snyder said. “That commitment extends well beyond our restaurants, team members and guests to include the broader community. In those ways and many others, giving back is an essential piece of our brand promise and core to who we are.”