Red Robin Raises Record-Breaking $744,000 during National Tip-A-Cop Events to Support Special Olympics
Law enforcement officers across the country banded together to collect special "tips" from Red Robin restaurant guests
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Red Robin) and law enforcement officers in cities across the country raised a record-breaking $744,000 during national in-restaurant Tip-A-Cop events and a week-long burger fundraiser to support Special Olympics.
As part of a national effort to raise funds for Special Olympics Programs, law enforcement traded in their handcuffs and badges and earned special tips from restaurant guests on Saturday, March 26 by filling beverages, and serving guests gourmet burgers and Bottomless(R) Steak Fries. The funds raised benefited the officers' local Special Olympics Programs. Tip-A-Cop events were held at Red Robin restaurants* throughout 36 states in 349 restaurant locations. Along with the Tip-A-Cop events, Red Robin donated $50,000 to Special Olympics from a week-long, in-restaurant burger fundraiser based on sales of Red Robin gourmet burgers ordered with a Coca Cola product.
"We are thrilled with the outcome of our national Tip-A-Cop events and want to thank all of the guests who visited Red Robin during Tip-A-Cop to support Special Olympics," said Susan Lintonsmith, Red Robin chief marketing officer. "This was our largest fundraising effort to date to support Special Olympics athletes across the U.S."
Tip-A-Cop is part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run(R) (LETR) campaign for Special Olympics. LETR, which includes an international series of relay runs and special events like Tip-A-Cop, is presented by more than 85,000 law enforcement officers worldwide to help raise money and public awareness for Special Olympics. LETR is the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics through which funds raised go directly to local programs in states or countries where the funds are generated.
For more information about Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and to find a restaurant location near you, please visit www.redrobin.com.
About Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB)
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (www.redrobin.com), a casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1969 that operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, Red Robin International, Inc., has been serving up wholesome, fun dining experiences in a family-friendly environment for more than 40 years. Red Robin, the "Smiling Burger(R)" expert, is famous for serving more than two dozen high-quality, Honest to Goodness(R) gourmet burgers with Bottomless Steak Fries(R), as well as a wide variety of salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups, appetizers, entrees and signature Bottomless Beverages(TM). There are more than 450 Red Robin(R) restaurants located across the United States and Canada, including corporate-owned locations and those operating under franchise agreements. Red Robin... YUMMM(R)!
About LETR
Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2011, the Law Enforcement Torch Run(R) (LETR) for Special Olympics is the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle, encompassing a variety of events including Torch Runs, Polar Plunge(R) events and the World's Largest Truck Convoy(R) fundraiser. More than 85,000 international law enforcement officers have carried the Flame of Hope(TM) to the Opening Ceremonies of local and state/provincial Special Olympics competitions and Games, and Special Olympics World Summer or Winter Games. The LETR is now present in all 50 U.S. states, Canadian provinces and 46 nations around the world. In 2010 the LETR raised more than US$38 million for Special Olympics Programs around the world and has raised more than US$370 million since its inception in 1981.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to nearly 3.5 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition health screenings, and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in all regions of the world and in community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood's backyard. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.
Source: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
Released April 28, 2011