PizzaRev is the proud recipient of the 2016 Restaurant Neighbor Award from the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (CRAEF). The Restaurant Neighbor Award celebrates outstanding charitable services performed by restaurant operators throughout the U.S.

The 31-unit fast-casual pizza franchise has donated more than $150,000 to schools, charities and other local organizations in the communities it serves. Most notable is PizzaRev’s ‘Pay What You Want’ fundraiser, held as part of the grand opening of each new location. On grand opening day, guests choose the price they pay for their pizza, and 100 percent of donated proceeds benefit a designated local nonprofit.

“We are honored to be recognized by the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation for our efforts to positively impact the communities that we call home,” says PizzaRev cofounder, president, and COO Nicholas Eckerman. “Giving back to our neighbors is at the core of our business and we look forward to expanding out philanthropic efforts as we open PizzaRev restaurants in new markets across the country.”

For the past 19 years, the Restaurant Neighbor Award has recognized the impact restaurants and entrepreneurs have made on their local communities. PizzaRev is one of five recipients of the California award and the company is a finalist for the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Neighbor Awards.

“We work with the best restaurant and hospitality companies in the world,” says CRAEF executive director Alycia Harshfield. “These awards are well deserved and represent the generosity and diversity of our industry. Each award winner enriches their community in meaningful ways and we are proud to honor them.”