PDQ recently presented checks to two incredible organizations that are doing phenomenal work in communities in Florida and beyond.
Last Friday at PDQ in Wellington, PDQ presented a check for $35,000 to the
Best Buddies Florida team, led by State Director of Best Buddies in Florida Andi Allen.
Throughout the month of August 2021, PDQ and Best Buddies International worked together to support and raise awareness for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) at all of PDQ’s 45 Florida locations. PDQ guests visiting any Florida PDQ location had the opportunity to support Best Buddies at check-out by rounding up their payment to the nearest dollar amount or making a donation. In total, $35,000 was raised from the month-long in-store fundraiser. One-hundred percent of all funds raised were donated directly to Best Buddies in Florida to assist with their programs.
The August campaign highlights the recently launched program where PDQ has committed to hire participants from the Best Buddies Jobs program at each of its locations across the state. To date, six individuals have been hired at PDQ restaurants in Florida.
"Best Buddies is incredibly grateful for our partnership with PDQ in support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Allen. “PDQ's dedication to the Best Buddies mission of inclusion and integrated employment has created a buzz throughout Florida, challenging companies to rethink their inclusive hiring agendas and embrace the full scope of benefits that an inclusive culture can have within the workplace.”
“Inclusion is one of our core values as a brand, and we are excited to expand our partnership with Best Buddies and the incredible work they do with so many individuals and families,” said PDQ CEO and Co-Founder Nick Reader. “This relationship began more than eight years ago when Sam Piazza joined our PDQ team, and we look forward to welcoming many more team members that are People Dedicated to Quality through this initiative. This campaign allows us the opportunity to raise much-needed funds for Sam, as well as other current and future PDQ team members through Best Buddies.”
And last Wednesday, PDQ presented
4Roots with a $20,000 donation to go towards 4Roots’ efforts to unearth the power of food to build healthy communities. The funds were raised this summer when award-winning brands PDQ restaurants and
4 Rivers Smokehouse joined together to create a BBQ-inspired sandwich to sell at select PDQ locations in Florida. The sandwich featured PDQ’s fresh crispy chicken breast dipped in a blend of 4 Rivers signature and mustard BBQ sauces and served on a buttered and toasted potato bun with guacamole, red cabbage and pepper jack cheese.
“The 4Rivers BBQ sandwich was a huge success, and we’re very thankful to all of our guests who supported our efforts with this sandwich,” said PDQ Founder/Principal Owner, Bob Basham. “Our PDQ team strives to improve the lives in our community and our team was honored to partner with 4Rivers to support the incredible work 4Roots is doing to build a better food future.”
The philanthropic partnership also featured a food distribution event at Edgewater High School in Orlando that took place on Wednesday, June 16. In partnership with One Heart For Women and Children, 4Roots distributed fresh produce bags and PDQ provided boxed meals to those in need. This was the second time 4Rivers and PDQ collaborated on a menu item. Previously, a successful launch of a PDQ inspired 4 Rivers Smokehouse sandwich raised thousands of dollars for local charities.
“It is always a pleasure to work with the PDQ team to spread the word about dining with purpose,” said Founder/CEO of 4R Restaurant Group and 4Roots, John Rivers. “These funds are such a blessing and will allow 4Roots to continue working to provide fresh local produce to those most in need.”
ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 2,900 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ nine formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters and Inclusive Living— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 56 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 690,000 people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit
www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or instagram.com/bestbuddies.
ABOUT 4ROOTS
4Roots is dedicated to unearthing the power of food to build healthy communities. By engaging the community to think more deeply about where and how food is grown, and why it matters, 4Roots aims to restore and maintain the delicate balance between people and planet.The 4Roots Farm Campus will be located in The Packing District, an emerging neighborhood in the heart of Orlando. It will invite the community to gather and collaborate on the creation of a strong local food system. Featuring a diverse range of growing systems, it will offer a unique hands-on learning experience that highlights innovative and sustainable practices and technologies from around the world. For more information visit 4rootsfarm.org or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT 4R RESTAURANT GROUP
Established in Winter Park, Fla. in 2009, 4 Rivers Smokehouse is a family-owned “Barbecue Ministry” specializing in 30-day aged Smoked Angus Brisket and “Homestyle Sides,” as well as bold twists of flavor and ingredient combinations with “John Rivers Originals” and “Fresh Eats” offerings. Recently voted “Best BBQ in the South” by Southern Living Magazine, 4 Rivers is led by Founder/CEO John Rivers, who strives to support the local community through exceptional products, steadfast customer service and uncompromised integrity. 4R Restaurant Group has 22 locations in Florida, including thirteen 4 Rivers Smokehouses, 4R Cantina Barbacoa at Disney Springs; four 4 Rivers walkup venues at ESPN Wide World of Sports; as well as eateries at Camping World Stadium, Spectrum Stadium and Doak Campbell Stadium. In addition to online ordering, 4 Rivers also offers a variety of catering options for larger parties and special event occasions. Also part of the 4R family is The COOP, a neighborhood restaurant in Winter Park celebrating the homestyle fare of the South. 4 Rivers Smokehouse sauces and signature rubs are also available for purchase in Publix stores throughout the Southeast. The 4R Foundation has donated funds to more than 650 local organizations, non-profits and churches. Out of this Foundation also grew 4Roots, an effort designed to build a better food future in Orlando, and Feed The Need Florida, a movement to feed Floridians in need of food since the onset of COVID-19. Since its inception, Feed The Need Florida has served more than 1.5 million meals. For additional information about 4 Rivers Smokehouse or to inquire about catering opportunities, please call 844.4RIVERS or visit www.4rsmokehouse.com.