A Chick-fil-A Fundraiser is a great restaurant fundraising idea if you’re supporters like chicken sandwiches!
(And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good chicken sandwich?)
Since the fast-food chain is so popular, it’s easy to convince potential donors to buy food and support your cause.
However, there are three different types of Chick-fil-A fundraising to choose from.
So, in this post, we break down how each one works, and how to start your own.
Table of Contents
- What Is A Chick-fil-A Fundraiser?
- Who Can Run A Chick-fil-A Fundraiser?
- How Does A Chick-fil-A Fundraiser Work?
- How To Start A Chick-fil-A Fundraiser
- Benefits Of A Chick-fil-A Fundraiser
- Drawbacks Of Chick-fil-Fundraisers
- Is Chick-fil-A Fundraising Right For You?
What Is A Chick-fil-A Fundraiser?
A Chick-fil-A fundraiser is a way to raise money by working with the popular fast food restaurant chain.
There are three ways to raise funds:
- Spirit Night: One-day event where a portion of sales are donated to your cause
- Donation Request: Apply for a donation or sponsorship from the restaurant
- Selling Sandwiches: Buy Chick-fil-A sandwiches and resell them at a higher price to make a profit
We discuss how each of the three types of fundraising work later on.
Since the restaurants are all individually owned and operated, not every fundraising option is available at each location.
While some establishments may offer all of them, others may provide no fundraising support.
To find out which options are available to you, you’ll need to get in touch with your local Chick-fil-A.
You can use their Location Finder Tool to find the nearest restaurants and contact information.
Alternatively, you can try this tool from GroupRaise to see participating restaurants near you.
Who Can Run A Chick-fil-A Fundraiser?
Since individual owners and operators manage each Chick-fil-A restaurant, there are no set guidelines determining who can or can’t start a fundraiser.
However, most restaurant fundraisers generally have similar requirements.
For example, if you’re looking to raise money for a for-profit venture (like a business) or political group, you’re probably not eligible.
Typically, eligible causes fall into one of the following categories:
- K-12 schools
- Colleges and universities
- Sports teams
- Libraries
- Community centers
- Nonprofits
Keep in mind that each individual Chick-fil-A location determines whether or not you qualify.
The only way to know for sure if they will help you raise funds is to contact them directly.
How Does A Chick-fil-A Fundraiser Work?
A Chick-fil-A fundraiser can take three different forms:
- Spirit Nights
- Donation Requests
- Selling Sandwiches
Below, we discuss how each type of Chick-fil-A fundraising works.
Spirit Night
A Spirit Night Chick-fil-A fundraiser is a fundraising event idea where a portion of supporters’ purchases are donated to your cause.
While the percent donated is up to the restaurant owner, 15% is typical.
Similar to Chipotle fundraising, this Dine to Donate fundraiser is simple to set up:
- Choose Your Location: Find the nearest fast-food chain location using their Location Finder Tool.
- Contact The Restaurant: Email or call the restaurant to check their fundraising options and eligibility. The Location Finder Tool should provide you with contact infprmation.
- Set Your Date: Once you’re in contact with the restaurant, set the date and time for the fundraiser. Be sure to give at least two weeks notice.
- Promote Spirit Night: Promote your fundraiser with social media, email, flyers, and more!
- Hold The Event: Supporters dine at the restaurant, and a portion of the sales they generate are donated to your cause.
Once the event is over, the restaurant should send you a check within a few weeks.
Be sure to discuss the payment timeline with the owner so you know when to expect your funds.
Donation Request
A Donation Request Chick-fil-A fundraiser involves soliciting a donation or sponsorship from your local restaurant.
These donations can include:
- Food
- Cash
- Gift cards
This is a great option if you’re organizing a fundraising event and want some additional support.
To apply for a donation, you need to:
- Choose Your Location: Use the Location Finder Tool to select your nearest Chick-fil-A.
- Contact The Restaurant: Depending on the restaurant, you may be able to fill out a short form. For other locations, you may need to call or email directly. Either way, clearly explain why you’re raising funds and how the restaurant can help.
- Wait For Approval: Be sure to submit your request at least four to six weeks before your fundraising event.
- Receive Your Donation: If the restaurant approves your request, Chick-fil-A will sponsor your event by donating food or money.
If you’re organizing an event with high attendance, it could provide the restaurant with a valuable sponsorship opportunity. That means there’s a better chance they’ll approve your request.
However, each location will have its own guidelines and requirements around donation requests.
Selling Sandwiches
Finally, the last type of Chick-fil-A fundraiser involves selling sandwiches to supporters.
If the location allows this method, you can buy a large quantity of sandwiches from the restaurant for a lower-than-retail price.
Then, you sell them at a higher price and keep the difference as your profit.
This product fundraising idea makes a great addition to any event, whether it’s a fun run, talent show, or a soccer game.
You could even combine it with another restaurant fundraiser product, like Krispy Kreme donuts.
Additionally, you may be able to pre-sell sandwiches and avoid buying more or less than you need.
To start a Chick-fil-A sandwich selling fundraiser, you have to:
- Choose Your Location: Use the Location Finder Tool to select your nearest Chick-fil-A.
- Contact The Restaurant: Email or call the restaurant to check that they offer this type of fundraiser. Ask questions about the cost, pre-selling, and anything else you want to know.
- Set Your Dates: Once you get the info you need from the restaurant, you’re ready to set your dates. If you’re selling sandwiches at an event, be sure to contact the restaurant at least four weeks before. If you’re pre-selling, give yourself a few weeks to make sales.
- Sell Sandwiches: Finally, you can start selling sandwiches. Be sure to consider the size of the event if you’re running a one-day sale. If you’re pre-selling, try promoting your fundraiser through social media, flyers, and email.
If you buy sandwiches for a one-day event, you can keep whatever money you make from the sandwiches.
On the other hand, with pre-selling, you should discuss with the owner how long it will take for you to receive your funds from the restaurant.
How To Start A Chick-fil-A Fundraiser
Whichever type of Chick-fil-A fundraiser you want to start, your first step will be the same: find and contact the restaurant.
Since every restaurant is individually owned and operated, there are no chain-wide fundraising guidelines.
This means every location will have different fundraising options and prices.
So, to figure out what’s available, you need to contact your local restaurant directly. If there are multiple restaurants closeby, try contacting others if the closest one doesn’t do fundraising.
You can also use this tool from GroupRaise to see participating Chick-fil-A’s and other restaurant fundraising options.
Finally, if you’re really looking to raise a lot of funds, fill out this form and we’ll connect you with one of our fundraising partners. They offer tons of great products to raise funds for your cause, and we believe it’s the most profitable type of fundraising venture.
Note: We do not work directly with any restaurant partners, so the best way to work with them is to contact your local restaurant directly. To work with our partners, fill out our form and we’ll help you get started in no time!
Benefits Of A Chick-fil-A Fundraiser
Running a Chick-fil-A fundraiser has a number of unique advantages compared to other types of fundraising.
We discuss some of the best ones below.
1. Widespread Appeal
One of the primary reasons for the success of Chick-fil-A fundraisers is the widespread appeal of the restaurant chain itself.
Chick-fil-A has a loyal following, earning a reputation for its delicious chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and other menu items.
The brand’s popularity makes it an attractive choice for a fundraiser.
After all, people are more likely to participate when they’re familiar with and enjoy the product.
2. Multiple Fundraising Options
Another great thing about Chick-fil-A fundraising is that there are multiple types of fundraisers you can run.
If you’re looking to run a one-day event at the restaurant itself, you should consider holding a Spirit Night.
On the other hand, you can also organize a longer-term fundraiser or sell sandwiches at your own event.
Finally, if you’re looking for a sponsorship for an event, you might think about submitting a Donation Request.
3. Low or No Upfront Cost
One more great thing about Chick-fil-A fundraising is that there’s no upfront cost for most of the fundraiser choices.
For example, in a Spirit Night, there’s no upfront cost. Instead, you receive a percentage of the total sales.
Likewise, submitting a Donation request is completely free.
Finally, selling sandwiches has no upfront cost as long as you’re pre-selling them.
However, if you hope to sell sandwiches at your own event, you’ll need to buy them beforehand.
Fortunately, the restaurant should sell the sandwiches to you for a lower price since you’re buying them in bulk for a good cause.
Drawbacks Of Chick-fil-Fundraisers
While Chick-fil-A fundraisers are a great way to raise funds, there are a few drawbacks to consider.
One disadvantage is that you’ll need to do a little research to find a location that fits your needs.
Since each Chick-fil-A is individually owned and operated, not all restaurants follow the same set of guidelines. Additionally, some restaurants may not provide fundraising options at all.
However, you can search for participating restaurants on GroupRaise.
Ultimately though, the only way to know for sure that your local Chick-fil-A doesn’t provide fundraising options is to contact them directly.
Is Chick-fil-A Fundraising Right For You?
If you’re looking for a versatile restaurant fundraiser with a tasty and popular product, a Chick-fil-A fundraiser is an awesome idea!
However, the lack of chain-wide fundraising guidelines and availability may make it harder (or even impossible) to start one.
So, be sure to follow the steps in this guide to figure out:
- What type of Chick-fil-A fundraiser you want to run
- Whether your local restaurants offer the fundraising option you’re interested in
If you’re able to set one up, it can certainly be a profitable venture.
However, keep in mind that you can really maximize your fundraising capabilities by utilizing multiple types of fundraisers.
So, if you want to raise as much money for your cause as possible, fill out this form and we’ll help you get on the path to success!
