In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, being a “great neighbor” means showing up when it matters most. For Chick-fil-A® Owner-Operators across Minnesota, that commitment has grown into a market-wide movement to ensure that surplus food finds its way to the tables of those who need it most.
By the Numbers
- A Legacy of Local Care: The Minnesota market has helped provide nearly 500,000 meals to neighbors in need since the first restaurant began participating in 2017.
- Meeting a Critical Need: With 1 in 5 households in Minnesota currently experiencing food insecurity, local Owner-Operators are dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of those they serve.
- A Growing Footprint of Impact: The 21 restaurants currently serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul area are just the beginning; five new openings planned for this year will each include dedicated hunger relief funding to further support the community.
- The Power of Togetherness: What started as individual efforts has blossomed into a market-wide commitment, with every local Owner-Operator now participating in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program to divert surplus food from landfills to local plates.
For the Local Owner-Operators of Chick-fil-A in Minnesota, the mission to serve doesn’t end at the front counter. It is a responsibility they carry into the heart of their communities, driven by a simple but powerful belief: no good food should ever go to waste when a neighbor is hungry.
Through the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program, these local restaurants have spent nearly a decade turning surplus ingredients into a lifeline. By fostering a deep partnership with Second Harvest Heartland, a cornerstone of hunger relief in the Midwest, they have created a seamless bridge between their kitchens and local food banks. This relationship allows Owner-Operators to respond to the specific needs of the Twin Cities and beyond, ensuring that high-quality protein and prepared items reach those who need them most.
The spirit of togetherness was on full display recently in Brooklyn Park. Local Owner-Operators from across the market stepped away from their restaurants to work side-by-side at Second Harvest Heartland, packing 40-pound bags of potatoes for local families. For many, this commitment is rooted in the long-standing values of the brand.
“There’s a lot of hungry people out there. Feeding them and making sure that their needs are met is basic to their livelihood. And we need to do what we can to help that situation.”
– Nancy Christman, Local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Maple Grove
This collective action highlights a shift in the local landscape – it isn’t just one restaurant giving back; it is an entire market working in unison. As Chick-fil-A continues to grow across the state, this momentum shows no signs of slowing down. From philanthropic contributions tied to new restaurant openings to ongoing support for local food bank programs, the Minnesota Owner-Operators are proving that their commitment to the community is as enduring as the North Star itself. By working together, Owner-Operators ensure that the growth of the brand directly translates to a greater impact within the local community.
To learn more about the Shared Table program, visit Chick-fil-A.com/Shared Table.
