2024's Top Feel Good Stories in the Restaurant Industry

AUSTIN, TX (January 2, 2025)

Women in Restaurants Leadership Program
The Women in Restaurants Leadership Program, launched by Restaurant Beatrice and Dallas College, addresses the gender gap in culinary leadership. A 2022 study by the National Restaurant Association found that while women enter the restaurant workforce at a higher rate than men, they are underrepresented in leadership roles.

This eight-week hands-on course is designed for women aspiring to advance their culinary careers in Dallas. Participants shadow restaurant leaders and gain comprehensive experience in front and back-of-house operations, building confidence and essential skills for success in the industry. By fostering talent and promoting diversity in leadership, the program is shaping the future of culinary arts and empowering women to thrive.

The Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation
The Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation has donated more than $30 million since its founding to expand access to youth sports that positively impact kids' social, emotional, and physical development. In partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Foundation recently unveiled Dallas ISD's first soccer mini-pitchat David G. Burnet Elementary School.

To celebrate the addition, students and staff participated in the official "first kick" alongside Foundation leadership and enjoyed catered BWW GO meals. This mini-pitch is one of many ways the Foundation supports local communities, offering resources like facility upgrades, equipment, uniforms, transportation, and coach training to help kids thrive.

Darden Feeding America
Darden Restaurantsis advancing the fight against hunger by donating food trucks to Feeding America for the fourth consecutive year. This initiative placed trucks in Corpus Christi and Laredo, Texas, enhancing fresh food distribution to underserved communities. These trucks support the Coastal Bend Food Bank in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Food Bank in Laredo, helping them reach individuals facing food insecurity.

By providing mobile resources, Darden enables these food banks to serve remote areas and overcome logistical challenges. Through this partnership, residents in Corpus Christi and Laredo gain increased access to essential resources, reinforcing the mission to end hunger across the United States.

Truluck's
Truluck's in The Woodlands is committed to giving back to its community through a longstanding partnership with YES to YOUTH - Montgomery County Youth Services, a nonprofit providing critical services to at-risk youth. Each month, the Truluck's team visits the shelter to share a homemade meal and spend quality time with the kids, creating moments of joy and connection while supporting the organization's mission to help vulnerable youth heal and thrive.

This holiday season, Truluck's is amplifying its efforts. Tonight, the team is hosting a Cajun Thanksgiving Feast at the shelter, and on December 23rd, they will return with a seafood boil and gifts. These special events reflect Truluck's ongoing dedication to making a meaningful impact in the community.