Tijuana Flats completed its 10th year of fundraising to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and help find a cure. This year’s “Treasure the Chest” campaign raised over $115,000, bringing the grand total to over $1 million in donations to BCRF.
“Our goal was to exceed $1 million in donations to BCRF. Our team members continue to blow me away with their passion, hard work and dedication to this cause. It is a true testament to our culture and core values that our employees live each and every day,” says Larry Ryback, CEO of Tijuana Flats.
Tijuana Flats restaurants turned pink for three weeks to raise money to knock out Breast Cancer. Guests were offered the option to purchase a limited edition pink cup or make their taco pink for $1 with all donations benefiting to BCRF. Additionally, proceeds from the sales of all Tijuana Flats “Smack” brand hot sauces as well as Just In Queso’s official sauce, “Jason’s Mom’s Sauce,” were donated to the cause.
In total, 27,468 cups were sold, 56,435 orders of tacos were made pink and 6,038 bottles of hot sauce were purchased during the campaign. Cash donations exceeding $38,000 were also collected throughout the duration of the campaign and were added to the total contributions.
In conjunction with the fundraiser, employees rallied behind the cause by decorating their respective stores, dressing up in pink and encouraging guests to honor survivors and those battling Breast Cancer by writing their names on the doors/windows of the restaurant.
Through this partnership, Tijuana Flats funded a full year of research for Dr. Joyce Slingerland of the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Slingerland's project focused on the cellular origins of Breast Cancer and potential links between lifestyle factors (like obesity) and Breast Cancer.
