As America has felt the effects stemming from the spread of COVID-19, franchisees and team members from across the Inspire Brands portfolio have continued their work of nourishing the communities we serve, in many cases going above and beyond normal circumstances in response to the global pandemic. Over the last month, Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, SONIC Drive-In, Jimmy John’s and Rusty Taco teams have done everything from offering food donations to hospitals heavily-impacted by the spread of the virus, fed children without access to school lunches and sought out innovative ways to help those in need.

The New Orleans-area West Jefferson Medical Center staff poses with food donated from Arby’s franchisee the Miracle Group.

In Louisiana, area director Travis Jones from Arby’s franchisee the Miracle Group coordinated food donations to hospitals and outdoor testing sites. Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee Four M Franchising donated food to the area hospitals across the Northeast and SONIC Drive-In franchisee Cinos, LLC, provided meals for doctors and nurses in hospitals throughout New York.

With schools across the country closed, Arby’s franchisee John Wade from AES Franchise Group has provided free kids meals for students throughout Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. SONIC Drive-In franchisee Chris Stack delivered 1,000 Wacky Pack Kids Meals to the Department of Children and Family Services in Massachusetts. And Jimmy John’s franchisees Charles D’Amico in Texas and New Mexico and Brandon Stewart in Ohio, Alabama, Florida and Georgia, continue to offer free Little John sandwiches for school-age children.

Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee the Aspire 2B Hospitality Group partners with the American Red Cross to hold a blood drive.

Additionally, franchisees continue to find innovative ways to help those in need. Jimmy John’s franchisee Jessica Manning in Virginia has encouraged the elderly to stay inside by delivering free sandwiches. Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee the Aspire 2B Hospitality Group in Louisiana and Texas has partnered with the American Red Cross to hold blood drives to help alleviate blood shortages. And 57 Buffalo Wild Wings sports bars in Michigan (led by franchisees JK&T/DRH, Womac Group and Jones Group) are donating proceeds to the American Red Cross to aid a new initiative to collect plasma from recovered coronavirus patients.

These are just a few examples of how Inspire’s diverse array of franchisees are making a difference every day when our communities need them the most. Whether these efforts are big or small, they’ll continue to be Good Citizens and offer assistance in their own unique ways.