Wienerschnitzel Announces Second Annual Hot Dogs for Homeless Tour

A Month-Long Philanthropic Adventure to Feed the Homeless and Empower Youth

IRVINE, California (March 22, 2016) – Wienerschnitzel, Home of America’s Favorite Hot Dog, has teamed up with Skate For Change, a non-profit organization that encourages youth to give back to the lesser fortunate in their communities, for its second annual Hot Dogs for Homeless tour. Beginning March 25, a Wienerschnitzel-wrapped RV, aptly named the “Wienerbago,” will visit cities with heavy homeless populations to lift spirits and provide hot meals. This year’s tour is expected to be even more successful than last year’s, which raised a total of $200,000 for Skate For Change including Wienerschnitzel’s $100,000 donation match.

“We’re excited to keep the positive energy going, while breaking records and making even more of an impact with this year’s Hot Dogs for Homeless tour,” said J.R. Galardi, Director of Administration for Galardi Group concepts and son of company founder. “The sole purpose of this collaboration between Wienerschnitzel and Skate For Change is to create a positive ripple effect in the communities we visit. Our success is measured by the number of people we impact, whether it’s providing a meal to those who need it most, or sparking interest to make real change in the youth we meet along the way.”

Along with Galardi, a key personality on the tour is Mike Smith, youth motivational speaker and Founder of Skate For Change, who has spoken to over 1 million students. At each destination, the team will serve Wienerschnitzel hot dogs and provide socks, hats, warm clothes, hygiene kits, and other necessities to those who need it most.

In addition to feeding the homeless, the “Wienerbago” will stop at high schools along the way to support Smith’s motivational speaking engagements with the goal to inspire students to become more involved in their communities. The Hot Dogs for Homeless crew will participate on panels to communicate the importance of helping those less fortunate and building a legacy. While on campus, Wienerschnitzel will grill hot dogs and give away merchandise, encouraging students to join them out in the community to witness firsthand the power of giving back. Students also have the opportunity to donate to the cause with all proceeds, along with a matched contribution from Wienerschnitzel, supporting the global expansion of Skate For Change.

“I am proud of what we accomplished during last year’s tour, and I’m confident we’ll have the opportunity to touch more lives on this second annual journey,” said Smith. “Wienerschnitzel’s unique level of support for our organization is mindblowing, and the time and resources they provide is far beyond anything I’ve ever seen. I am honored that Skate For Change has the support of a company that is just as committed as we are to making the world a better place.”

The tour will be documented by a professional photographer and videographer to capture the brightened days, motivated youth, and moments of hope the Hot Dogs for Homeless efforts will bring to communities. For more information, view the tour slide deck and visit https://www.wienerschnitzel.com/hotdogs4homeless.

Hot Dogs for Homeless 2016 Tour Schedule *

• Los Angeles, CA – 3/25-3/29
• Bay Area/Sacramento, CA – 3/30-4/3
• Reno, NV – 4/4
• Las Vegas, NV – 4/6-4/9
• Albuquerque, NM – 4/11-4/12
• Lubbock, TX – 4/13
• Dallas, TX – 4/14-4/17
• El Paso, TX – 4/19
• Tucson, AZ – 4/20
• San Diego, CA – 4/21-4/23

*Dates and locations are subject to change

Tour Slide Deck: https://bit.ly/1PeLWZg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wienerschnitzel
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wienerschnitzel
Twitter: www.twitter.com/wienerschnitzel
YouTube: www.youtube.com/wienerschnitzel

About Wienerschnitzel
Founded by John Galardi in 1961 with a single hot dog stand in Wilmington, California, Wienerschnitzel (www.wienerschnitzel.com) is a bona fide pioneer of the limited-service food industry. Today, Wienerschnitzel is the world’s largest hot dog chain and home of America’s favorite Chili Dog. Based in Irvine, California, the parent company, Galardi Group, franchises restaurants throughout the U.S., including Wienerschnitzel, Hamburger Stand, and Tastee Freez. An iconic American brand with a devoted following for over 50 years, Wienerschnitzel is poised for exponential growth, both domestically and internationally. With a refreshed marketing focus, Wienerschnitzel has received tremendous media attention and accolades including Franchise Times’ “20 to Watch” and voted Best Fast Food in Southern California by the readers of Los Angeles Daily News for five years and running. In 2016, Wienerschnitzel was ranked #146 in the coveted Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise 500. Additionally, the company recently introduced a unique next generation store design featuring a smaller footprint and a lower cost of entry; while the simple menu allows for easy execution and lower food costs. As a family owned and operated company, Wienerschnitzel is in a unique position to always put its franchise partners first and is actively recruiting passionate franchise candidates to grow with the brand during this very exciting time. For more information on owning a Wienerschnitzel, visit https://wienerschnitzelfranchise.com/ or contact Ted Milburn – Director, Franchise Development at franchising@wienerschnitzel.com.

About Skate For Change
Skate For Change (www.skateforchange.org) is a non-profit movement that empowers young people to use skateboarding as a vessel to give back to the homeless and lesser fortunate in their communities. From its humble beginnings in Lincoln, NE in 2011, Skate For Change has now grown to over 80 chapters worldwide. Skate For Change and its members are dedicated to making an impact on their communities and the individuals that make up their communities.