COLUMBUS Ohio Charley’s Grilled Subs pledged to raise funds for a nonprofit organization close to its heart—and even closer to two employees’ kidneys. —Seeking to begin 2009 on an optimistic note and celebrate National Philly Cheese Steak Month with a charitable tie-in,
The 365-unit chain known for its Philly cheese steaks, based here, announced it would donate a portion of all sandwich sales during January to the National Kidney Foundation, up to a total of $10,000. James Pa, senior director of marketing, said Charley’s had been impressed with the foundation’s efforts to prevent and treat kidney and urinary tract diseases after one of the chain’s franchisees donated one of his own kidneys to an employee in need of a transplant. —Seeking to begin 2009 on an optimistic note and celebrate National Philly Cheese Steak Month with a charitable tie-in,
The franchisee, Marcus Gilbert of Orem, Utah, told Nation’s Restaurant News following surgery that “it was easy math” to give one of his two functioning kidneys to 17-year-old crewmember Juan Delgado. —Seeking to begin 2009 on an optimistic note and celebrate National Philly Cheese Steak Month with a charitable tie-in,
Gilbert didn’t publicize his organ donation to Charley’s headquarters, preferring to keep it “under the radar,” Pa said, but news of his act spread through the franchisee network, and Charley’s officials became aware of Gilbert’s and the foundation’s work on behalf of Delgado. —Seeking to begin 2009 on an optimistic note and celebrate National Philly Cheese Steak Month with a charitable tie-in,
“We were all moved by his actions, as well as the National Kidney Foundation’s efforts overall,” Pa said. “Partnering with them during National Philly Cheese Steak Month is the right thing to do.” —Seeking to begin 2009 on an optimistic note and celebrate National Philly Cheese Steak Month with a charitable tie-in,
Charley’s chief executive Charley Shin also presented a $10,000 check to Gilbert and Delgado to help pay for the transplant surgery. Such actions have affected employee morale positively, Pa said. —Seeking to begin 2009 on an optimistic note and celebrate National Philly Cheese Steak Month with a charitable tie-in,
“It really builds a strong bond within the Charley’s community,” he said. “It’s what brotherly love is all about.” —Seeking to begin 2009 on an optimistic note and celebrate National Philly Cheese Steak Month with a charitable tie-in,
Charley’s Grilled Subs, which is mostly franchised and operates in 39 states and 11 countries, donates about 10 percent of its profits to charity, Pa said. —Seeking to begin 2009 on an optimistic note and celebrate National Philly Cheese Steak Month with a charitable tie-in,