Republic Wendy’s tops in nation in adoption fundraiser

Of the 6,500-plus Wendy’s restaurants in the United States and around the world, it was the location in Republic that came through the biggest on behalf of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) during the annual Frosty Key Tag fundraiser, raising $27,489 for the foster care adoption charity.
The Republic Wendy’s restaurant is owned and operated by Hamra Enterprises, a Springfield-based family-owned owner/operator of nearly 200 restaurants nationwide under the Wendy’s, Panera, Noodles and Company, and Caribou Coffee brands.

Each year, Wendy’s restaurants launch the Frosty Key Tag fundraiser to coincide with National Adoption Month in November, offering guests the opportunity to purchase a physical or digital key tag for $3 that entitles them to a free Junior Frosty with any purchase for the following year, with proceeds to benefit the DTFA. Last year, participating Wendy’s restaurants in the U.S. raised a record $22.6 million to help the organization find permanent, loving homes for children in foster care. Of that total, $430,000 was raised by restaurants within the Hamra Enterprises family.
“We are proud of the accomplishments of our team members throughout all of our Wendy’s locations, with a special shout out to the Republic Wendy’s for their leadership in support of this incredible charity,” said Hamra Enterprises CEO Mike Hamra. “Through the amazing efforts of our team and the generosity of our guests, children in foster care across the nation will unite with loving parents in a permanent home through the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.”
En route to Republic’s company-leading total, team members sold 9,163 key tags — the equivalent of a tag for nearly half the population of the city.
“This is like the Vince Lombardi Trophy in our eyes,” said Chris Martin, general manager of the Republic Wendy’s. “We want to thank everyone for their support, and we are proud to play an integral role in this campaign.”
Since 1992, Hamra Enterprises has donated more than $2.8 million to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and millions more to other organizations on the community, regional, and national levels, including Boston Children’s Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Make-A-Wish Illinois, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the St. Louis Crisis Nursery.