Sonny's BBQ

America's Biggest Bar-B-Q Chain Joins Relief Effort to Raise Money for Hurricane Victims

Sonny's Bar-B-Q, the largest barbecue chain in the U.S., announced its participation in Dine for America Day, a nationwide fundraising event to support the American Red Cross Relief Fund and help those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  

Ms. Monique Yeager
Director of Corporate Affairs & Marketing
Sonny's Franchise Company
407- 660-8888

myeager@sonnysbbq.com

MAITLAND, FL, Sep 19, 2005 - Sonny's Bar-B-Q, the largest barbecue chain in the U.S., announced its participation in Dine for America Day, a nationwide fundraising event to support the American Red Cross Relief Fund and help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Restaurants across the country are banding together to participate in the event, slated for Wednesday, October 5th.

Each participating Sonny's franchisee will be donating proceeds from the day's sales and Sonny's Franchise Company will contribute up to an additional $50,000 in matching donations.

"It's important for us to band together and help," said Bob Yarmuth, CEO of Sonny's Franchise Company. "Our industry needs to step up and be heard. This National Restaurant Association initiative does just that."

Yarmuth said the Sonny's locations in the affected areas suffered minimal damage.

Floyd "Sonny" Tillman founded Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q in 1968 in - Gainesville, Florida. Today, Sonny's has more than 138 restaurants with over 7,000 team members in nine southeastern states. To view a menu or to learn more about Sonny's Bar-B-Q, visit www.sonnysbbq.com.

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