Ep175: How This Texas DQ Franchisee is Fighting Childhood Hunger

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan Strand and I talk to Bill Spae, CEO of Vasari LLC, a Dairy Queen franchisee with 76+ locations in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Vasari is the second largest franchisee in the DQ system!

Vasari leads several cause marketing programs, including a fundraiser for Share Our Strength that has raised $335,000 since 2014.

On the show, Megan, Bill and I discuss:

Bill Spae, Vasari LLC

Bill Spae, Vasari LLC

  • How Joe met Bill at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago where they were both speaking on behalf of Share Our Strength.
  • How DQ got involved with Share Our Strength. It's not a national program for DQ, but a regional program for Vasari LLC.
  • How DQ kicked off the program in 2014 and Share Our Strength supported their efforts with their deep experience in cause marketing point-of-sale.
  • How much the program has grown since 2014. The goal this year is $200K+.
  • How DQ changed its ask from a dollar amount to a meal amount and raised more money.
  • The power of incentives to solicit donations.
  • Joe shares a painful DQ regret.
  • Does DQ ask for specific donation at the register, or do they let the customer decide? Key takeaway: don't pressure people.
  • What employees think of the program, and how Vasari has grown their engagement with communication, storytelling and swag.
  • Why DQ doesn't ask for donations through the pinpad. Employees do all the asking.
  • How DQ avoids donor fatigue.
  • The business benefit of supporting a cause.

Show Notes

Vasari LLC

Restaurant Execs: Cause Marketing, Employee Engagement Drive Bottom Line

Cause Marketing Limits Raise More Money

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Ep176: Personal Branding for Causepreneurs with Katrina McGhee

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Ep174: Boston Brewery Helps Entrepreneurs Brew American Dream