DALLAS, Oct. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This October, Maggiano's Little Italy® invites guests to bring the generous Italian-American dining experience the brand is known for to the millions of Americans struggling with hunger by simply enjoying one of the brand's beloved Classic Pasta menu offerings. For the past three years, Maggiano's guests who order a Classic Pasta in-restaurant have received a second Classic Pasta on the house to take home, compliments of the chef. Expanding the breadth of this generosity platform, participating Maggiano's restaurants nationwide will make a meal donation for every Classic Pasta ordered in October to Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief charity.
A unique twist on the two for one offer, Maggiano's Classic Pasta menu allows guests to choose from a selection of handmade pastas and baked specialties to enjoy for lunch or dinner, and go home with a free Classic Pasta to enjoy tomorrow. To further support the 1 in 6 Americans facing hunger, every guest who dines in a participating Maggiano's restaurant on October 22 will 'take' a Classic Pasta home, and in turn, the brand will 'give' a donation to Feeding America.
"For more than three years, Maggiano's has expressed our heritage of generosity by giving guests who order a Classic Pasta a second dish to take home, on the house," said Steve Provost, president of Maggiano's Little Italy. "In celebration of our six millionth Classic Pasta given away, we invite guests to enjoy our gift of Classic Pastas, while helping us provide one million meals to those facing hunger through our partnership with Feeding America."
Maggiano's first introduced Classic Pastas in August 2009 in response to the increasing guest need for affordable dining options in a difficult economy. The deal resonated with guests so strongly the brand made the menu offering a permanent fixture in August 2010. Maggiano's is the first restaurant of any scale to create an offer of this magnitude and is proud to have given away six million Classic Pastas on the house to date.
"The fall season is synonymous with giving and gathering around the table with family and friends, and it is only fitting to combine these two traditions to help the 50 million Americans who are struggling to put food on the table," said Matt Knott, interim President and CEO of Feeding America. "We are honored to work with Maggiano's to extend the generosity of Classic Pastas and provide restaurant guests with a unique opportunity to help give meals to those in need."
Together with more than 200 member food banks serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, Feeding America provides food and grocery products to 37 million Americans each year. Feeding America's food banks secure and distribute more than three billion pounds of donated food through a network of approximately 61,000 food assistance agencies, such as food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters and after-school programs. One dollar donated to Feeding America helps provide eight meals to those facing hunger in the United States.
About Maggiano's Little Italy®
Maggiano's Little Italy® specializes in Italian-American cuisine served in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Maggiano's menu features both classic and contemporary recipes – authentic pastas, signature salads, prime steaks, fresh seafood, regular chef specials and specialty desserts. Maggiano's 45 locations worldwide offer lunch and dinner, delivery, carryout service and banquet spaces for special occasions. Maggiano's is owned and operated by Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies, serving more than one million guests daily. Brinker owns or franchises more than 1,500 restaurants in 33 countries and two territories. In addition to Maggiano's, Brinker owns and operates Chili's® Grill & Bar and holds a minority investment in Romano's Macaroni Grill®. For more information, visit www.maggianos.com.
SOURCE Maggiano's Little Italy
Ashley Johnson, Maggiano's Little Italy, +1-800-775-7290
