Law Enforcement Officers across the U.S. Team up with Red Robin Gourmet Burgers to Raise Funds for Special Olympics

Download as PDF

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- If you have ever dreamt about having your local police officers wait on you, now is your chance. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Red Robin), Special Olympics and law enforcement officers in cities across the country will unite at Red Robin(R) restaurants on Saturday, March 26 as part of a national effort to raise funds for Special Olympics Programs through in-restaurant Tip-A-Cop(R) events. During this time, law enforcement will trade in their handcuffs and badges to earn tips from restaurant guests by filling beverages, serving guests gourmet burgers and Bottomless(R) Steak Fries, to benefit their local Special Olympics Program. Tip-A-Cop events will be held at Red Robin restaurants* throughout 36 states in 349 restaurant locations. In addition, 50 cents from every pairing of one of Red Robin's gourmet burgers and a Coca Cola product sold** from Monday, March 21 through Friday, March 25 will be donated to Special Olympics, Inc.

"Our annual Red Robin Tip-A-Cop events are always a good time for a great cause," said Michael Teem, executive director, Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. "The tremendous level of law enforcement and community support, and the unparalleled generosity from Red Robin and Coca Cola, are what will make this event so successful this year. The money raised will be used to support the Special Olympics mission of inclusion and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities in communities throughout the United States."

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.

"Since the inception of the Tip-A-Cop program six years ago, Red Robin has donated more than $1.5 million to Special Olympics Programs across the country," said Susan Lintonsmith, Red Robin chief marketing officer. "As a community-oriented restaurant company, we are proud to again support Special Olympics in the communities we serve."

For more information about Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and to find a restaurant location near you, please visit www.redrobin.com.

* Participating restaurants only.

** Maximum donation not to exceed $50,000.

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 28th Anniversary in 2009, 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 2008 the LETR raised more than US$34 million for Special Olympics Programs around the world and has raised more than US$272 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.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6648690&lang=en 


    Source: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

Released March 21, 2011