Childhood literacy has been something I’ve been passionate about ever since I worked at a local nonprofit that had community-impact programs and initiatives focused on helping children read at grade level. So when Beth of Mommy On a Shoestring (and one of my blogging mentors!) reached out to me about a Literacy Luncheon at Meadheads, I was thrilled to attend.
We met last week at Meatheads, a fast-casual, family restaurant offering a made-to-order dining experience with delicious burgers, fries and shakes. They have 14 Chicagoland locations. The CEO/Founder was the former Chief Development Officer at Potbelly, and wanted to create family atmosphere with Meatheads with their ‘take care’ policy: take care of the customer, take care of the restaurant and take care of each other.
So, why Meatheads for a literacy luncheon? Well not only do they have fabulous food, but they offer an incredibly impressive lineup of community programs, many of which are focused on literacy. The Director of Marketing spoke to the group on the various programs Meatheads offers, while we devoured our food (which was excellent, by the way!)
- Community programs, including free summer reading events
- The Goulden Touch, WITS and Meatheads: 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the Goulden Burger, created in honor of Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould, goes to his public charity, the “Goudlen Touch,” to support literacy programs in Chicago. Gould has a special interest in literacy and along with Meatheads, they’ve teamed up with Working in the Schools, an organization that offers tutoring/mentoring program for Chicago Public School children.
- Voracious Readers Program, where kids can read 5 books and earn a free burger (and Meatheads is super active on social media—check out their Pinterest board with recommendations on books for this program!)
- Books are the true brain food, and Meatheads rewards a big appetite for reading.
- Pick up a “voracious meatheads reading program” form at any meatheads
- Kids ages 6-13 are eligible to participate
- Read 5 books to earn a rewards…1 free kids meal
- Parent/guardian signature required for child to earn each reward
- Open Books Reading Bingo, where kids win a free burger if they complete the card and return it to any Open Books store
- And other fun community programs like Meathead of the Month, which recognizes local high school athletes, Meathead of the Game, which celebrates young athletes in organized sports.
I don’t know about you, but I love a restaurant that not only has great, fresh food (seriously, no frozen stuff here), but also makes an impact in the communities in which they operate. Bravo, Meatheads!
And to top it off, the awesome folks at Meatheads are giving away a $25 gift card! Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
I have never even heard of this place! As a mom of a school age boy who loves to read, you can bet I will be checking it out. What an awesome community program. Plus, that food looks amazing. Double win!
I hadn’t either but they are fairly new and are still opening new locations! I hope you win!
Thanks! Me too!! :)
Sounds like a restaurant my husband would love and I would support! I love it when businesses support local organizations and have great programs like this!
Absolutely! If you ever visit a location across the border in IL, please wave hi :-)
I’ve never heard of them but will be checking them out!
I would- not only is their food delicious but they are a standout restaurant in terms of making an impact in the community!
I’ve never heard of Meatheads but I love the community focus and I’m a big fan of Robbie Gould!!!
Me too- he’s such a great guy!
It’s food! What’s not to like! =) A good burger and fries always makes me happy. I love that they do stuff for the community.
Exactly- it’s a win win! :-)
Oh man, my husband and I both loooove Meatheads. Their burgers and their crispy chicken sandwiches are awesome. I especially like all of the topping options.
Their chicken sandwich was the best I’ve ever had! So delicious! Good luck!
I love that they are promoting literacy! What kid doesn’t want to read and be “rewarded”?! I didn’t know this about meatheads and is will be sure to patronize them more because of it!
Yes!! It reminds me of Pizza Hut’s Book It program when I was growing up…love the concept!
I went to Meatheads when I was visiting my friend in Champaign. It was really good! I loved all the toppings you could choose from. Plus they had a coke freestyle machine and I think those are the bomb.
YES- those machines are the bomb dot com! SO many flavor combinations– I want to try them all!
Love, love, love the foods. I mean that’s the true way to a woman’s heart, right?
Absolutely- you got it!