Hello there, pizza-loving philanthropists! Today we’re diving into the deliciously cheesy world of the Pizza Hut fundraiser, where raising dough takes on a whole new meaning.
From the delightful aroma of freshly baked pizza to the sound of that first crunchy bite, Pizza Hut has been tantalizing taste buds for decades.
But did you know they’re also a heavyweight in the fundraising ring?
This isn’t just about satisfying your pepperoni cravings—it’s about transforming every slice into a slice of hope.
So, in this article, we’ll explain how this restaurant fundraising idea and how to start your own.
Strap yourselves in as we embark on this saucy journey of pizza, profits, and philanthropy!
Table of Contents
- What Is A Pizza Hut Fundraiser?
- Who Can Start A Pizza Hut Fundraiser?
- How Does A Pizza Hut Fundraising Work?
- How To Start A Pizza Hut Fundraiser
- Does Pizza Hut Support Any Causes Or Charity?
- Is Pizza Hut Fundraising Right For You?
What Is A Pizza Hut Fundraiser?
A Pizza Hut fundraiser involves working with the pizza restaurant chain to raise money for your group or organization.
There are three different types of fundraising available:
- Dine To Donate
- Discount Card fundraising
- Gift Card fundraising
Dine To Donate and Discount Cards require you to work directly with the restaurant. Additionally, they’re only offered at certain locations.
You’ll learn more about eligibility and participating location in the next section.
Meanwhile, a gift card fundraiser involves working with the third-party company RaiseRight. Fortunately, these gift cards are redeemable at any location.
We discuss how each type of fundraising works later on.
Who Can Start A Pizza Hut Fundraiser?
In order to organize a Dine To Donate Pizza Hut fundraiser, you must be a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
You’ll be asked to provide your nonprofit Tax ID when you sign up.
Additionally, Dine To Donate events are only offered at participating locations in six states:
- Colorado
- Louisiana
- Montana
- Oklahoma
- Wyoming
- Texas
For Pizza Hut Discount Card fundraising, you need to be a nonprofit organization. However, you don’t necessarily have to be tax-exempt to qualify for this method.
The downside is that only certain Pizza Hut franchisees offer this type of fundraiser, and you can only use the card at other franchisee locations.
For example, Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne, Indiana offers a discount card, but it’s only redeemable at franchisee locations in the state.
Likewise, NPC International used to offer discount fundraising cards at their 1260 stores in 28 states.
However, the company sold all their locations to Flynn Restaurant Group in 2021 after filing for bankruptcy in 2020.
We were unable to find any other locations offering the discount card, so it may only be available in Indiana.
The best way to know for sure is to contact your local Pizza Hut directly inquire about fundraising opportunities and eligibility.
Finally, if you choose to organize a gift card fundraiser with RaiseRight, they can be used at any location. To qualify, your group must fall into one of these categories:
- Public and private schools (tuition costs, supplies, programs)
- Churches (operating expenses, mission trips, youth programs)
- Sports teams (travel expenses, uniforms, equipment)
- Booster clubs
- PTO/PTA
- Bands
- Other Nonprofits
How Does A Pizza Hut Fundraising Work?
While some Pizza Hut fundraisers are more restrictive than others, there are opportunities for all nonprofits to raise money with restaurant chain.
We explain how each type of Pizza Hut fundraising works below.
Dine To Donate
Pizza Hut’s Dine To Donate fundraiser involves inviting your supporters to eat at a specific location on a designated day.
Then, 20% of each sale is donated to your cause. Just keep in mind that only order with a subtotal of $15 or more count to your fundraiser.
You can schedule this fundraising event idea any day from Monday to Thursday. Purchases are valid from open to close on the day you choose.
The following types of products contribute to your earnings:
- Pizza
- Pasta
- Wings
- Sides
- Desserts
- Drinks
However, these items do not count toward your earnings:
- Pizza Hut gift cards (we’ll discuss how to start a gift card fundraiser in a bit)
- Special bulk pricing orders
- Liquor purchases
To earn credit for purchases, supporters must show a print or digital version of your fundraiser flyer.
However, you’re not allowed to distribute flyers at the restaurant. You must promote your fundraiser to your supporters before the event.
Once your event is over, the company will send your results within 24 hours. Within seven to ten days, you’ll receive your check.
Bear in mind that there is a $400 sale minimum for this type of fundraiser. If you don’t reach that threshold, the restaurant will issue you a food credit of 20% of the sales total.
Discount Card Fundraising
While Pizza Hut Discount Card fundraising is only available in a few locations, it’s a great way to raise funds.
The Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne, Indiana franchisee is the only place that explicitly offers this option.
However, to know for sure if your nearby restaurant makes them available, you can try contacting locations nearby.
In this fundraising product idea, you sell cards which each contain six different coupons. Each coupon can be used up to four times, meaning each card contains 24 total offers.
Better yet, the restaurant will design your discount cards to include your group’s logo and a short message.
Once you fill out the fundraising contract and set up the details of your fundraiser, you can start selling the cards.
Each one sells for $10 each, and you keep all the profits, minus the card printing costs. The printing cost varies by how many cards you need.
For example, the printing cost for 100 cards is $82, and the cost for 500 cards is $115. So, the more cards you sell, the higher your profit margins will be.
At the end of your fundraiser, you need to return your unsold discount cards to your local Pizza Hut.
Since you’re selling the cards directly to supporters, you’ll get your funds as you sell. So, there’s no need to wait for a check from the restaurant.
Gift Card Sales
The last option for raising funds with Pizza Hut is gift card fundraising.
In this type of fundraiser, your group sells gift cards to your supporters and earns a percentage of each sale.
In fact, your organization has the potential to earn up to 8% from every Pizza Hut gift card through RaiseRight.
Plus, your supporters have the flexibility to select from an array of other participating companies!
To kick off, register your group with RaiseRight. Once approved, you’ll receive a unique link and code which you can share with your supporters.
Lastly, monitor your progress and manage fund transfers to your organization using the RaiseRight Dashboard.
It’s as simple as pizza pie!
How To Start A Pizza Hut Fundraiser
The first step in organizing a Pizza Hut fundraiser is determining which type you want to organize.
Whichever method works best for you, be sure to sign up and sort out the details a few weeks before your fundraiser date.
To start a Dine To Donate Pizza Hut fundraiser, you need to fill out their online application.
For Pizza Hut Discount Card fundraising, you need to complete this form and take it to your nearest participating restaurant.
Meanwhile, the first step to starting a RaiseRight gift card fundraiser is enrolling your organization.
Once you’re approved, you’ll get your fundraising code, and you can share it with your supporters.
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!
Does Pizza Hut Support Any Causes Or Charity?
While Pizza Hut doesn’t accept donation requests, they do support a number of charitable causes.
For example, the restaurant chain partners with Uplift Education to offer a $25,000 scholarship to Uplift seniors.
The company also partners with Food Donation Connect, donating more than 100 million pounds of extra food from Pizza Hut restaurants.
Next, the pizza chain started the BOOK IT program and Pizza Hut: The Literacy Project. Both initiatives aim to encourage reading and improve literacy.
Pizza Hut also helps communities with disaster recovery by volunteering for cleanup, donating food, and raising funds.
Additionally, they support the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative. This project is dedicated to helping young people facing systemic barriers to employment and education.
Finally, the restaurant hosts genHERation’s Discovery Days, where young women connect with innovative companies. The goal is to help close the gender leadership gap in business.
Is Pizza Hut Fundraising Right For You?
A Pizza Hut fundraiser is a great way to raise money for your cause, one slice at a time.
Whether you’re a pepperoni aficionado or a fan of the classic margherita, remember this: your love for pizza can translate into love for your community.
However, if you’re looking for similar restaurant fundraisers, check out:
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!
