Serving Others: Restaurants Respond to Hurricane Harvey
8 Min Read By MRM Staff
NRA Hurricane Harvey Response
According to Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO, National Restaurant Association, the Texas Restaurant Association has been working 24/7 with their members since Hurricane Harvey came ashore.
“They’ve been collecting and sharing news about restaurants and are collaborating with federal, state and local agencies to help restaurant operators and their employees get back on their feet, apply for disaster loans, file insurance claims, and safely reopen their locations,” she said.
TRA offers extensive information at TXRestaurant.org/Harvey. As the storm moves on from Texas, restaurant associations in other states are preparing as well.
“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected by the overwhelming tragedy of Hurricane Harvey in Southeastern Texas and neighboring areas,” said Sweeney. “The National Restaurant Association mourns the lives lost and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been displaced as well as with the brave men and women who are still working on rescue operations to this day.”
She added, “Our partners in Texas say the restaurant community will bounce back quickly as power returns and roadways reopen. That’s not to say there won’t be challenges – there will. Wages have been lost, business has stopped for many, property damage will run into the billions of dollars, and many in the Texas restaurant family have been displaced. But there’s a reason they say “Don’t mess with Texas:” Texans are resilient, even in the face of the worst natural disaster in the state’s history.”
Sweeney noted that national foodservice companies and suppliers have come forward with financial help. Independent restaurant operators throughout the country are working with their customers to raise funds. The Louisiana Restaurant Association, all too familiar with devastation of this magnitude, worked with the Commander’s Family of Restaurants and others to set up a relief fund for Harvey-affected hospitality employees.
“Countless restaurant businesses have pitched in to feed first responders, raise funds and collect supplies for people displaced by the storms,” she said. “Additionally, the National Restaurant Association and TRA are coordinating a national relief effort to help hurricane victims and restaurant employees affected by the disaster. We are finalizing plans and will announce more information about the effort immediately after Labor Day.”
For ongoing information on the efforts, visit Restaurant.org/HarveyHelp.
Big Salad’s Owners’ Big Hearts
Pies Served With Love
From 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., all proceeds from sales of the Raspberry Cream Pie ($7.50) will be donated to the Houston Food Bank. Made with local raspberries from Klug Farm, a slice of homemade pie from Prairie Grass Cafe is a tasty way to help support Houston’s hurricane survivors.
Labor Day Love
Fogo de Chão is helping out in a number of ways.
On Monday, Sept. 4 (Labor Day), Fogo de Chão will donate $10 from every adult entrée purchased to the Houston Food Bank in support of the Hurricane Harvey relief effort. The goal is to raise more than $100,000 nationwide for the cause. 
Additionally, they’re offering all first responders (police, fire, military, etc.) a free lunch or dinner at our restaurants in both Houston (8250 Westheimer Rd.) and The Woodlands (1900 Hughes Landing Blvd. Suite 400) now through (at least) Sept. 15.
All Main Event Entertainment Centers Collecting Supplies
Main Event Entertainment, which owns and operates five centers in and around Houston, has mobilized their other 33 centers to collect supplies essential to the recovery effort. From Friday, Sept. 1, through Monday, Sept. 4, the 33 Main Event Centers outside the affected areas will serve as collection points for non-monetary donations. Relief agencies have specifically requested the following supplies:
- Socks
- Pillows, pillow cases, sheets and blankets
- Towels and washcloths
Be sure to only donate new, unopened items. All items will be collected and delivered to a leading relief agency in each market, including the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Trusted World.
“Hurricane Harvey has affected hundreds of our Main Event team members and a countless number of our guests, so we are trying to do as much as possible to help them in their time of need,” said Becky Johnson, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer of Main Event Entertainment. “Every donation matters, no matter the size. So please swing by your nearest Main Event center over Labor Day weekend and help us provide meaningful support to the victims of this horrific storm.”
For locations, visit mainevent.com.
Salata Response
Houston-based Salata has experienced the horrific flood damage from Hurricane Harvey firsthand. Fortunately, 24 of its 33 Houston-area locations have re-opened. And in appreciation for the heroic work being done by Houston’s finest, those 24 Salata locations will be feeding first responders in uniform for *FREE through Monday, Sept. 4. (*while supplies last).
These Houston-area locations will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. while they work to get back up and running. For a listing of all the Salata restaurants that will be feeding first responders for free, click here.
“It’s truly heartwarming to see all of the support that Houston has received during these hard times,” said Michelle Bythewood, CMO of Salata. “We are fortunate enough to be able to open 24 of our Houston-area restaurants today. We wanted to do what we could to give back to the brave individuals that have worked so tirelessly to assist those in need.”
Little Caesars Love Kitchen Hits the Road
The Little Caesars Love Kitchen, top photo, a big-rig pizza kitchen on wheels, is on the road to the hurricane Harvey disaster area to feed victims and first responders affected by the storm and flooding. The truck has traveled throughout the country for almost 30 years providing hot meals to more than three million homeless, hungry and displaced families.
The Love Kitchen’s first stop will be in San Antonio, Texas at the Freeman Coliseum, where Little Caesars franchisees and volunteers will serve pizza to up to 1,200 first responders on Saturday, Sept. 2. Servings at this location will continue until at least Monday, Sept. 4.
After serving first responders in San Antonio, the Love Kitchen will coordinate with other relief organizations to determine the best locations for the unit, maintaining continued and consistent support for the residents affected by Hurricane Harvey. Little Caesars franchisees are supporting efforts by supplying staff and services from their stores to man the truck, as well monetary donations to support the operation of the Love Kitchen.
“In the wake of the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, we must all come together as a company to support relief efforts,” said Little Caesars President and CEO Dave Scrivano. “We are proud to work together with our local franchisees and company-owned stores to coordinate the vehicle, staff and food and to be there for the people in Texas when they need it most. With a disaster of this magnitude, we are all in this together and we’re in it for the long haul.”
The Love Kitchen got its start 1985. Since then, more than 3 million people have been served, with 151,415 in 2016 alone. The program has supported past events such as Hurricane Katrina, Rita and Sandy, the 2001 World Trade Center Attack, and recently, the wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tenn. All this work is accomplished with the support of Little Caesars franchisees who have volunteered their time in local communities.
Buffalo Wild Wings Fundraising Effort
Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. embarrked upon a nationwide fundraising initiative to support ongoing Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. From Sunday, Sept. 3 through Sunday, Sept. 17, participating Buffalo Wild Wings locations will match in-restaurant donations received from Guests, up to $100,000. Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants will participate with a goal of donating more than $200,000 to the American Red Cross®.
“Buffalo Wild Wings takes pride in supporting each and every community in which we do business,” said Sally Smith, president and chief executive officer, Buffalo Wild Wings. “Our in-restaurant fundraising and match program is one way we can help support the families and communities impacted by this devastating storm.”
Hardie’s Employees Help Out
Texas-based Hardie’s Fresh Foodsemployees took to the streets of Houston this week to support fellow Texans who had to evacuate as a result of Hurricane Harvey. They were among the first to respond by providing three truckloads of food to the American Red Cross for evacuees at the George R. Brown Convention Center, local hospitals, hotels, and to first-responders – many of whom were personally impacted by flooding.
“We’re humbled to serve people impacted by these storms and full of pride for our team and others throughout the state who braved the roads to get to the Hardie’s warehouse, hospitals, and major hotels to help wherever was needed,” said Brian Preiss, General Manager at Hardie’s Fresh Foods,Houston.
Dallas-based Hardie’s Fresh Foods employees also stepped in to support their fellow Texans by driving truckloads of fresh food down to the Houston area. Donation boxes in all of their locations continue to fill quickly, and is an example of the heart of people all over the state and across the country who are ready to lend a helping hand during this devastating time.
“I’m really proud of how our Houston team came together for the care and compassion of the people in Houston,” said Mark Austin, CEO of Hardie’s Fresh Foods. “It’s humbling to learn of the hardships that some of our employees have experienced, and yet people showed up to ensure that others who were even worse off had something to eat.”
Studio Movie Grill Raises Funds
“Studio Movie Grill exists to open hearts and minds, one story and time. We operate in service of this by offering-up SMG as a platform to impact how we think and what we feel. We work hard to create experiences where everyone can be impacted by the power of a great movie, sharing a meal with family and friends, and especially supporting our communities and neighbors in time of need,” said Brian Schultz, Founder/CEO. “Our outreach programs are integral to that purpose.”
Cane Rosso Hosted Fundraiser
Cane Rosso, the Texas-based group of authentic Neapolitan-style pizzerias, hosted a fundraising night to aid flood victims in Houston at its Deep Ellum location. The restaurant will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to local Houston organizations supporting flood relief efforts. Cane Rosso has two locations in Houston, in the Heights and in Montrose, both of which remain closed until the situation is further assessed.
In addition, Cane Rosso is raffling off an exclusive “Year of Pizza” VIP card to benefit Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. The card entitles the holder to one free pizza per week for an entire year ($780 value), at any Cane Rosso location in Texas. Limited tickets are available starting today, $50 each. For information, click here.