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 restaurant fundraisers for schools that definitely earn an A+.
Why host a restaurant fundraiser?
There are so many great reasons to partner up with a local restaurant. Here are our favorites:
Restaurant fundraisers help facilitate community engagement
A restaurant fundraiser brings together students, parents, teachers, and local residents in a social setting. It helps strengthen the school’s bond with the community, creating a sense of unity and support for the school’s mission.
They are super easy to organize
Restaurant fundraisers are relatively easy to organize compared to large-scale events. Many restaurants offer a straightforward partnership model where a portion of the sales from a specific time period goes directly to the school.
Fundraisers not only support your school, they give local businesses a boost
Partnering with local restaurants supports nearby businesses. It creates a win-win situation where the school raises funds, and the restaurant gets increased traffic and visibility from the school community.
Restaurant fundraisers can promote school spirit
These events can be a fun way to foster school spirit, as they often turn into social gatherings where students, families, and staff can relax and enjoy one another’s company outside of the typical school environment.
Finally, they’re so easy!
With restaurant fundraisers, there’s typically no up-front cost to the school. The restaurant handles most of the logistics, allowing the school to focus on promoting the event, making it a low-risk, high-reward opportunity.
FEATURED PICK
1. Little Caesars Fundraising
Little Caesars offers the opportunity to fundraise with their stores. It’s easy! Your group starts a digital fundraiser, sells Meal Deal 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.
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.
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.
Panera
Panera offers fundraising events for dine-in, drive-thru, pickup, or delivery. Your school will receive up to 25% of net sales gathered at the event!
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.
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.
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!
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 Express will donate 20% of the event sales to your school or organization. Schedule your next fundraiser with Panda Express’ easy online application.
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.
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.
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 five 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.
Home Run Inn
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.
IHOP
Love 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.
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 by selling 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.
Applebee’s
Applebee’s, part of the Flynn Group, generously offers two ways to help schools raise money. Their Dining to Donate program provides the opportunity to host a fun night at Applebee’s and earn a percentage of your organization’s total purchases during the event. With their Flapjack Fundraiser, your school hosts and Applebee’s provides the food, the kitchen staff, and the venue. All you have to do is sell tickets and bring volunteers to help serve your guests.
Baskin Robbins
With a Baskin Robbins Fundraiser, your school will be allowed to keep a percentage of the sales. All there is to it is to set a date, get the word out, and enjoy a few scoops.
BD’s Mongolian Grill
BD’s makes fundraising easy and fun! Simply invite your school community to visit BD’s Mongolian Grill on a specific day at a specific time, and 15% of their bill goes toward your cause.
Buona Beef
Buona Benefit Nights are profitable, delicious, and fun! Hold one at any location and your organization will receive 20% of all pre-tax sales.
Burger King
Burger King promotes fundraising with their BK Benefit Night. The fundraising event takes place at your local BK restaurant, and your school will receive 20% of sales above a predetermined base sales average during the specified hours of the Benefit Night. Benefit Nights are available Monday through Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m.
California Pizza Kitchen
Giving back to communities has always been a part of California Pizza Kitchen’s mission. Since 1999, CPK restaurants across the country have helped raise millions to support local schools and nonprofit organizations in local neighborhoods. CPK Fundraisers can be held Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and 20% of sales generated will be donated back to your school.
The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory Bakery offers a fundraising opportunity through the sale of their delicious signature cheesecakes. They also provide support from fundraising professionals, brochures, and selling tools. To get started, visit their website, fill out a Cheesecake Factory Bakery Fundraising request form, and a fundraising consultant will contact you with the details.
Chili’s
Chili’s Give Back Event is an all-day fundraiser benefitting not-for-profit organizations that have a valid tax ID number. The organization promotes their Give Back Event and receives 15% of the sales (excluding tax and gratuity) from guest checks with turned-in vouchers.
Cicis Pizza
Cicis loves to be involved with their communities, and Cicis fundraising events are a great way to do that. Since most restaurants are individually owned, contact your local Cicis to ask about fundraising events at your local restaurant. Refer to their locations page to locate a Cicis near you.
Corner Bakery
Corner Bakery Cafe Fundraisers give back to schools with a certain percentage from sales. Simply set a date, get the word out on social media or with school-provided communications, and enjoy a deliciously awesome group meal at the Corner Bakery.
Cousins Subs
The Cousins Subs Make It Better Foundation is dedicated to making a difference and giving back to their communities. To participate in a school fundraiser, simply use GroupRaise to set up a Cousins Subs fundraiser. On the day of the event, 15% to 20% of order sales are donated to your cause.
Del Taco
You can enjoy delicious Mexican food and raise money for your school at the same time by hosting a Del Taco fundraiser at your local restaurant. They donate 20% of sales back to local groups!
El Pollo Loco
Another tasty Mexican option, an El Pollo Loco fundraiser gives your school community the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal while also earning 25% back for their school.
Famous Dave’s
Smokin’ sandwiches and barbecue ribs? Who can resist? A Famous Dave’s fundraiser provides a fun, delicious night out for your community. Famous Dave’s generously donates 15% of sales back to your cause after you reach 20 RSVPs.
Friendly’s
Sign up for a Friendly’s FUNraising Event and 20% of net sales will be donated to your school. What a great way to bring your community together to support your awesome cause!
Fuddruckers
With Fuddruckers Burgers for Benefits, your school community can dine out for a good cause. Simply find a location close to you, visit the link above to fill out a request form, and the restaurant’s manager will reach out with all the details.
In-n-Out Burger
The In-n-Out Burger Cookout Fundraiser began in 1990 as a fundraiser for local schools. In-n-Out Burger provides the truck, labor, food, and all the promotional materials at no cost to the school. You simply presell a minimum of 200 tickets for a suggested price of $5 each. The Cookout Truck will come to your campus, complete with fresh quality burgers, chips, and soft drinks.
Of the money raised, 75% goes to your school and 25% will be donated to the In-n-Out Burger Foundation to help abused children in local communities. Available in parts of California, Texas, Colorado, and Nevada.
Jamba
Jamba loves helping schools raise money by providing BOGO smoothie cards that schools can buy for $5 and sell for $10. Details vary by location. To learn more, reach out to your local Jamba.
Jersey Mike’s
A Jersey Mike’s fundraiser not only gives your school community the opportunity to eat a tasty meal out, it provides 15% back to boost your cause.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Pizza restaurant Lou Malnati’s has two great ways to raise money for your school. Their Frozen Pizza Coupons program allows you to buy coupons that you then sell at a profit. Pizzeria Fundraiser Nights allow you to host an event in-restaurant from which you keep 20% of the profits.
Marie Callender’s
The great thing about a Marie Callender’s Fundraiser is that you can choose the one works best for your school community: A Whole Pie Fundraiser or a Dine In for Dollars Fundraiser. With the Whole Pie fundraiser, you buy delicious whole pies, then sell them for a $2-to-$6 profit. With the dine-in option, you pick a date, spread the word, then enjoy a meal while earning a percentage of the sales for your school.
McAlister’s Deli
McAlister’s Deli is proud to offer school fundraisers with special in-restaurant days that give back 15% of the profits for your school.
Mellow Mushroom
Everybody loves pizza night! Organize a Mellow Mushroom fundraiser and enjoy 15% of the proceeds to add to your budget.
MOD Pizza
MOD Pizza supports a variety of charities throughout the year, working primarily with groups that serve youth and families. It’s easy to apply, promote, and host an event at any MOD Pizza—and you’ll keep 20% of the event sales that day.
Noodles & Company
Japanese pan noodles? Oh, yeah. pesto cavatappi? Say no more. Put together a Noodles fundraising event and combine good food and a good cause into one event. Plus, you’ll walk away with 25% of the proceeds.
On the Border
An On the Border fundraiser will earn your organization 20% back on all purchases. And it’s so easy to set up. Simply book a date, spread the word, and enjoy a delicious meal while you boost your budget.
Pieology
People + pizza = a 20% profit for your organization. Here’s how a Pieology Fundraiser works: Fill out the fundraising form, confirm the date with your local Pieology, spread the word, and receive a check for 20% of sales brought in during the fundraiser.
Pizza Hut
Who wants to sell magazines or sweat it out at the car wash when you can be raising “dough” with a Pizza Hut fundraiser? Sign up online, rally your supporters, and earn 20% for every order redeemed with a Pizza Hut fundraiser flyer the day of your event. Easy as pie!
Pizza Ranch
Get yourself down to Pizza Ranch and start earning money for your school organization. Not only will your family thank you, your school will earn 20%.
Portillo’s
With a Portillo’s school fundraiser, you will earn 20% of the sales, and it couldn’t be easier. The amount will be donated when anyone comes in with your flyer (smartphone counts too) or mentions your organization at checkout. This includes dine-in, carryout, or drive-thru. The only requirement is a $200 minimum in total sales from your supporters in order to receive the donation.
Potbelly
Give back to your school community with sandwiches! Organize a Potbelly fundraiser and not only will your family enjoy a delicious meal, your organization will receive 20% of sales back.
Red Robin
Red Robin strives to make a difference in the communities where they do business. That includes providing opportunities for community groups and nonprofits to raise funds while getting their Yummm® on! Choose one of two ways: host a fundraising event or try your hand at gift card sales.
Rubio’s
A Rubio’s fundraiser can make a big impact in your local community. It’s easy to apply and host, with a whopping 30% of all online and in-restaurant sales going back to your school.
Smashburger
Smashburger is not your average burger joint. As burger lovers themselves, they take their craft seriously. Organize a Smashburger fundraising event and you’ll not only satisfy your burger craving, you’ll earn back 20% from all sales.
TGI Fridays
Every day feels like Friday at TGI Fridays! So why not host a fun community event, indulge in a mouthwatering meal, and earn 20% of sales for your school with a TGIFridays fundraiser?
Uno Pizzeria & Grill
Raise some dough just by raising your fork. With Uno’s popular Dough Rai$er program, you can indulge in a delicious lunch or dinner and Uno will donate 20% back to your school.
Wendy’s
Ooh, who’s in the mood for a Frosty? Organize a Wendy’s fundraiser and you can not only indulge, you’ll be helping your school with a donation of 20% back on all sales.
Which Wich
Sandwiches are always a good idea! Organize a Which Wich fundraiser and your school can earn back 20% of sales.
Yogurtini
With options like Froyo for a Cause fundraiser events or Peel-a-Deal cards, let your local Yogurtini work with your school to find a fundraising opportunity that fits your needs. Find your local Yogurtini today to submit a fundraising request.
To give or get more advice on restaurant fundraisers for schools, come and share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, check out Fundraising Ideas Your Whole School Will Love.
Mary Davis is a writer for New State OK. She covered the sports beat, but she's also done a lot of health and well-being reporting, too. She's also written some things that aren't even technically news—like reviews of restaurants and other places in the area.
