---
title: "Restaurant Fundraisers: Chipotle, Panda Express, Chick-fil-A"
description: "How restaurant fundraiser nights work at Chipotle (25%), Panda Express (20–28%), and Chick-fil-A, plus how to book one and get enough people to show up."
url: "https://www.signupkit.co/restaurant-fundraisers"
category: "fundraising"
type: "guide"
cluster: "fundraising"
updated: "2026-09-19"
---


# 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.

- No login required for participants
- Free plan available
- Mobile-friendly signups

## Restaurant fundraisers compared

| 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 |

_From each chain's own fundraising pages, September 2026. Chick-fil-A restaurants are independently operated, so each Operator sets its own terms._

## 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

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.

- 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

## 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.

## FAQ

### What percentage does Chipotle give for fundraisers?

Chipotle gives 25% of event sales, including online orders placed with your fundraiser code, as long as the event reaches its $150 minimum in sales.

### What percentage does Panda Express give for fundraisers?

Panda Express gives 20% of sales for an in-store Neighborhood Fundraiser and 28% of pre-tax sales for its online Virtual Community Fundraiser.

### How do I set up a Chick-fil-A fundraiser?

Contact your local Chick-fil-A Operator. Restaurants are independently owned, so each one decides whether to host and what share of sales it gives.

### Which restaurant fundraiser raises the most?

The one your supporters will actually go to. Attendance matters more than the percentage: 100 families at 20% beats 40 families at 28%.

## Related guides

- [Concession Stand Volunteer Sign Up](https://www.signupkit.co/concession-stand-sign-up)
- [Bake Sale Sign Up Sheet](https://www.signupkit.co/bake-sale-sign-up)
- [Fundraising Ideas for Schools](https://www.signupkit.co/fundraising-ideas-for-schools)
- [Church Fundraising Ideas](https://www.signupkit.co/church-fundraising-ideas)
- [Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits](https://www.signupkit.co/fundraising-ideas-for-nonprofits)
- [Easy Fundraising Ideas](https://www.signupkit.co/easy-fundraising-ideas)

## Related articles

- https://www.signupkit.co/blog/500-fundraising-ideas-schools-nonprofits-churches-sports-teams

## Fill the restaurant

Free sign-up for greeters and your promo team, with reminders built in.

[Create a Free Volunteer Sign-Up](https://www.signupkit.co/create)