Restaurant Fundraisers
Chipotle, Panda Express, and Chick-fil-A compared
A restaurant fundraiser, or give-back night, is the lowest-effort fundraiser there is: the restaurant cooks, your supporters eat, and your group gets a share of the sales. The work is getting enough people to come. Here is what the big chains pay, how to book, and how to fill the room.
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| Restaurant | What your group gets | Online orders count? | How to book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipotle | 25% of event sales, if the event reaches $150 in sales | Yes, with your fundraiser code | Online request form on Chipotle's community site |
| Panda Express | 20% of sales (in-store Neighborhood Fundraiser) or 28% (online Virtual Community Fundraiser) | Virtual fundraiser: online orders only, with your event code | Panda Express community fundraising site |
| Chick-fil-A | Set by each restaurant | Varies by restaurant | Ask your local Chick-fil-A Operator |
What a restaurant fundraiser actually raises
Do the math before you book. If 60 families each spend $25, that is $1,500 in sales: $375 at Chipotle's 25%, $300 at Panda Express's in-store 20%, or $420 on Panda's 28% virtual event. Turnout is the whole game. Doubling attendance matters far more than which chain you pick.
| Supporters × average order | Sales | At 20% | At 25% | At 28% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 × $20 | $600 | $120 | $150 | $168 |
| 60 × $25 | $1,500 | $300 | $375 | $420 |
| 100 × $25 | $2,500 | $500 | $625 | $700 |
| 150 × $30 | $4,500 | $900 | $1,125 | $1,260 |
How to host a restaurant fundraiser
- 1
Pick the restaurant your people already like
Near the school or church, open late enough for families after practice. Have your nonprofit's tax ID (EIN) ready; most programs ask for it.
- 2
Book 3–4 weeks out
Apply online (Chipotle, Panda Express) or call the local Operator (Chick-fil-A). Avoid game nights and holiday weekends.
- 3
Get the flyer and online code
Share the online code, not just the flyer. Online orders count at Chipotle and are the whole event on Panda's virtual fundraiser.
- 4
Recruit a promo team
Four to six people who post in their own group chats beat one announcement from the organizer.
- 5
Remind people the day of
Most people who forget meant to come. A same-day reminder in the morning and at 4 pm does more than any flyer.
Volunteer roles for a give-back night
- Greeters at the door with flyers and the online code, in 1-hour shifts
- Promo team: one person per class, team, or small group
- Social media post and story the morning of
- A photographer, so next year's ask has pictures
- Someone to thank the manager and staff at close
Put these on a sign-up sheet with 1-hour greeter shifts. Seeing familiar faces at the door is what turns "I meant to go" into an order.
Other food fundraisers
- Local pizzerias and family restaurants: many run give-back nights; ask the owner directly
- Pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner you cook yourselves: more work, but you keep every dollar above cost
- Bake sale: lowest cost; donations from families mean nearly 100% profit
- Concession stand at games: steady money all season if you can staff it
How to Create Your Fundraiser Sign-Up with SignupKit
- 1
Create your event
Add the event name, date, location, and a short description for participants.
- 2
Add sign-up slots
Create slots for dishes, shifts, roles, or RSVP options. Set quantities and optional deadlines.
- 3
Share one link
Send a single mobile-friendly link. Participants sign up without creating an account.
- 4
Track and remind
See who signed up in real time, export the list, and send automated reminder emails.