The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, a leading Mediterranean fast casual restaurant franchise, has expanded its partnership with GiftAMeal to become its national philanthropic partner. This collaboration allows guests at over 70 locations across the United States to help fight hunger in their communities through a simple photo-sharing platform.
Since the partnership began in 2024, guests have helped provide more than 20,000 meals to families facing food insecurity. For every photo taken through the GiftAMeal platform, the organization donates to a trusted local food bank, helping deliver 1.2 pounds of groceries through neighborhood pantries. The program represents a significant expansion from its initial pilot with 10 locations in July 2024.
"GiftAMeal allows our franchise operators to live our brand mission by translating local commitment into real community impact," said Bob Andersen, President of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. He noted that the program makes serving the community an integrated part of the franchise model and everyday guest experience.
During Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17 and throughout the month, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is encouraging increased participation. The company has committed to matching the monetary value of all meals donated during this period, effectively doubling the impact of customer contributions. The matching will be based on the meal value established by each participating food bank.
Participation requires three simple steps: scanning the GiftAMeal QR code posted inside restaurants, taking a photo of food or drinks to trigger an automatic donation, and optionally sharing on social media to multiply the impact. Social media shares can potentially double, triple, or quadruple the donation amounts.
"The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has quickly become a valued national partner in our mission to support families facing hunger," said Andrew Glantz, Founder & CEO of GiftAMeal. "More than 20,000 meals have already been donated through their guests' participation, and we're excited to expand our impact together as we head into our third year of partnership."
GiftAMeal serves as the trusted partner of over 1,000 restaurants nationwide and has provided more than 2.8 million meals to date through its platform. The organization works with establishments ranging from local independents to national brands, creating a network of community support across the food service industry.
This partnership matters because it demonstrates how businesses can integrate social responsibility directly into customer experiences while addressing the critical issue of food insecurity. With approximately 34 million Americans facing hunger according to USDA data, programs that leverage everyday consumer behavior for social good represent an innovative approach to philanthropy. The model creates a sustainable giving mechanism that benefits local communities while allowing businesses to demonstrate corporate citizenship.
The expansion of this partnership comes at a time when food banks nationwide report increased demand due to economic pressures. By making charitable giving accessible through routine dining experiences, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill and GiftAMeal have created a scalable solution that other restaurant chains could potentially adopt. Customers can participate by visiting their nearest location through https://www.thegreatgreekgrill.com/locations.
