CHICAGO, July 9, 2025 —In the wake of the flashfloods that killed well over 100 people Friday in Texas, businesses from all sectors of the food-away-from-home industry are stepping up to aid survivors and the rescuers searching for the nearly 200 people still listed as missing.
A million dollars has been donated to the relief efforts by Todd Graves, founder and co-CEO of the Raising Cane’s chicken-fingers restaurant chain.
Two restaurant operations in the Kerrville area, the epicenter of the flood, have pledged 100% of their profits from July 9 to the aid effort. The pair illustrate the range of businesses that are providing help, according to locals. One is a Bubba’s 33, a unit of the casual-dining chain run by multi-billion-dollar Texas Roadhouse, and the other is Truckyard, a group of food trucks operating under a variety of names nearby and in Oklahoma.
The Austin units of the fast-casual Hopdoddy’s Burger Bar chain will similarly donate all of their profits from 7/9.
The 36 local units of P. Terry’s, a quick-service burger chain with a cult-like following, will donate all their profits from July 10.
At least a half-dozen independent restaurants in Texas have made similar pledges. They’re inviting customers to swell the donations by dining on the collection days.
Arguably the restaurant industry’s most visible charity, chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen, has dispatched a “relief team” to the Kerr County area to help local chefs set up feeding operations.
On the retail side, a local Walmart SuperCenter set up a barbecue operation on Monday to feed rescue crews a free lunch. The department-store giant has also pledged to provide at least $500,000 in relief funds, with at least half that amount expected to be matched by customers’ contributions via the chain and its sister big-box operation, Sam’s Clubs. Funds will also be provided by the retailer’s charity arm, the Walmart Foundation.
Yesway, the Texas-based convenience store chain, has promised to donate $100,000. The brand is also asking customers to make a donation when they check out.
Texas-based H-E-B supermarket chain and its owners, the Butt family, said they will donate $5 million to the relief efforts.
Contributors from the supplier side of the FAFH industry include PepsiCo, whose Frito-Lay division is based in Texas. The snack and soft drink giant said its PepsiCo Foundation will donate $450,000 to a variety of aid organizations. In addition, the corporation said its charitable arm will provide 20,000 shelf-stable meals.
Donations for people in the flood-devastated areas are being accepted by national organizations such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army, as well as by local groups like the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.
As Managing Editor for IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, Romeo is responsible for generating the group's news and feature content. He brings more than 40 years of experience in covering restaurants to the position.
Cover image courtesy: Closed Loop Project