• Home:
• News:
• Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc.:

Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc. Donates $132,000 From Gift Card Sales to Local Hunger Programs Nationwide

February 06, 2008 // Franchising.com // Louisville, CO– On the heels of a successful gift card season, Colorado based Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc. (RBR) announced today it will donate $132,000 of its gift card sales to local programs in its operating markets across the country. The donation marks 10 percent of total gift cards sales for all Company concepts during the holiday season.

According to Marilyn Davenport, (RBR) Director of Marketing and Corporate PR, this is the fifth consecutive year that Rock Bottom designated a set percentage of sales towards local programs and to date $557,000 has been donated as a result of this program.

"Charitable giving and volunteerism is an important part of our Company's culture. Earmarking 10 percent of gift card sales for local charities illustrates our commitment to being a good neighbor in communities in which we operate." explained Davenport. "Industry trends are moving toward rewarding the purchaser with discounts and free cards and we offer a variety of purchase incentive programs in addition to our local charitable giving."

In many cases, the benefiting program was one of the 15 Thanksgiving Gathering or Christmas Miracle events staged across the country by the philanthropic arm of RBR, the Rock Bottom Foundation. These holiday dinner events provide an abundant holiday meal, warm clothing, toiletries, and access to phones, free long distance calling and flu shots to participants. This year over 8,500 people in-need received assistance during these events.

"As a restaurant company, supporting hunger local relief is very important to us. Our guests felt very strongly about supporting these local organizations and really supported this program in ways we've never seen before!," said Jessie Newman, Executive Director of the Rock Bottom Foundation.

About Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc.
Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc. currently employs over 7,500 nationwide. It owns and operates 101 restaurants across the United States – 63 "Old Chicago" restaurants and 38 brewery concepts operating under the names "Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery," "ChopHouse & Brewery," and "Walnut Brewery". The Company also operates two Sing Sing concepts, an entertainment venue featuring a dueling piano bar in a club setting. It has franchise partnerships under its Old Chicago brand that account for 29 locations. In 2000, the Company formed the Rock Bottom Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit entity. The Foundation's primary focus is to make a positive impact on the issue of hunger within its communities, help its teammates in crisis, and inspire a culture of giving and volunteerism. The Company's annual sales in 2007 were $306 million ($371 million including Franchise locations) an 8% increase over fiscal 2006. Projected sales for 2008 are $324 million ($409 million including Franchise locations). All of Rock Bottom's restaurants are casual dining establishments featuring excellent service, high-quality, moderately priced food and a distinctive selection of micro-brewed and specialty beers served in a comfortable, hospitable atmosphere.

###