Fazoli’s, a premium Italian quick service restaurant ranked #2 overall among large national fast food chains in the Zagat Survey, recently sent 26 college students to school with $1,000 grants in its third annual "Pursuit of Excellence" scholarship program.
Recipients are attending 22 colleges or universities in eight states. They are pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The merit-based award winners include associates' children, and spouses of associates. Judging criteria included individual achievement in areas reflected by the acronym LEAD: leadership, extracurricular activities, academic achievement, and distinguished recommendations.
"American families are challenged by the high cost of advanced education," says Carl Howard, president and CEO. "These scholarships represent Fazoli's commitment to excellence inside and outside our restaurants. They help to provide opportunities to our country’s next generation of leaders."
The program name is based on one of Fazoli's corporate values: The pursuit of excellence is never-ending.