Boston Market joined the fight against child hunger by participating in Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out last month. The company was the largest restaurant chain to take part in the event. From September 7 through 25, customers were invited to donate $1 or more to Share Our Strength at local Boston Market restaurants and receive a coupon for a complimentary side on their next visit. This was the first year Boston Market was involved in the annual event, which supports No Kid Hungry, Share Our Strength’s campaign to end childhood hunger in America by 2015.

Generous diners helped bring Boston Market’s total donation to $125,000 to help the nearly 17 million children in America who face hunger. That’s nearly one in four kids.

“By being part of Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out, we had the opportunity to draw attention to the issue of child hunger and witness the generosity of our fantastic guests,” says Tony Buford, senior vice president of operations for Boston Market. “We’re proud of what we were able to accomplish for Share Our Strength with the help of our friends and neighbors.”

In addition to furthering its philanthropic efforts, Boston Market has been busy transforming 372 of its restaurant facilities with a brand new look and feel by the end of the year. Guests visiting the new Boston Market can expect to see lots of great enhancements in their overall experience, including the presence of new dining room ambassadors to greet guests, deliver food to tables, refill drinks, bus tables, and more. Boston Market has also improved employee training programs to provide enhanced hospitality. For guests dining in, Boston Market menu items are now served on real plates with silverware. Rotisserie Chicken and Oven Roasted Turkey, which have always been carved-to-order, are now carved in stations that are visible to guests. Several new gourmet sides, sandwiches and fresh tossed salads have been added to the menu.