A restaurant fundraiser is a simple deal: your group picks a date, invites supporters to eat at a participating restaurant, and the restaurant donates a share of the sales from that event back to your organization. Nobody has to sell wrapping paper or bake 200 cupcakes. Families get dinner, and your school, team or PTA gets a check.

Below we walk through how these events usually work, how to get people to actually show up, and how we run them at BITES Food Court + Bar in Langley Park. Most of the advice applies no matter which restaurant you work with.

How does a restaurant fundraiser work?

Details vary by restaurant, but most follow the same steps:

  1. Reach out. Contact the restaurant with your organization's name, the cause, and a few possible dates.
  2. Agree on terms. The restaurant explains what percentage it donates, whether there's a minimum level of sales, which hours count, and how orders get tracked (a flyer, a code word, or a set time window).
  3. Promote it. Your group spreads the word. This is where most of the results come from.
  4. Hold the event. Supporters come in, eat, and mention your group if asked.
  5. Get the donation. After the event, the restaurant totals the qualifying sales and sends your share.

What questions should organizers ask?

  • What percentage of sales goes to our group, and is there a minimum level of total sales?
  • Do takeout and online orders count, or only dine-in?
  • How will orders be credited to us?
  • Can you provide a flyer, or should we make our own?
  • When and how will the donation be paid?
  • Are there any days or times that work best for the restaurant?

Getting these answers in writing up front avoids confusion later.

How do you promote a restaurant fundraiser?

A fundraiser is only as good as its turnout. A few things help:

  • Start two to three weeks out. Announce the date early, then remind people the week of and the day of.
  • Use every channel you already have. School newsletters, class group chats, team apps, PTA social media pages and the front office.
  • Make it personal. Ask coaches, teachers and student leaders to mention it. People respond to someone they know.
  • Say what the money is for. "New uniforms" or "the spring field trip" works better than "general fund."
  • Pick a convenient time. A weeknight dinner right after practice or a school event can bring in families who are already nearby.
  • Add something fun. A raffle, a teacher appearance or a group photo gives people a reason to come in person.

How BITES runs fundraisers

At BITES, we give back up to 25% of event sales to your organization, subject to a minimum level of total event sales. We'll go over the exact terms with you before you commit. Because we have four counters under one roof, supporters can choose what they like, which tends to help turnout. Families who want South Indian food from Ananda Kitchen and kids who want Charleys cheesesteaks or bubble tea can all come to the same event.

Fundraiser options

  • Restaurant night: the classic format. Pick a date, invite your community, and we donate a share of event sales.
  • BITES NITE: a bigger evening built around a raffle or silent auction, so your group can raise money from both food sales and the event itself.
  • T-shirts: a t-shirt fundraiser for your group. Ask us how it works.

We're a community-minded business and partner with the Langley Park Civic Association. Schools, sports teams, PTAs, youth groups, places of worship and local nonprofits are all welcome to reach out.

To set up a fundraiser, email community@bitesdmv.com with your organization's name, your cause and a few dates. You can also read more on our fundraisers page.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Promoting only once. One email is easy to miss. Plan at least three reminders.
  • Choosing a crowded date. Check the school calendar so you don't compete with a concert, game or holiday.
  • Skipping the thank-you. Share the total raised afterward. It makes people more likely to come next time.

Plan your visit

  • Address: BITES Food Court + Bar, 8046 New Hampshire Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20783, in the Langley Park Shopping Center. Free parking.
  • Hours: Ananda Kitchen and SmoothieFRESH are open daily 11am to 9pm, until 10pm Fridays and Saturdays. The bar opens at 11am daily and stays open later on weekends. Check charleys.com for Charleys hours.
  • Menus: see everything on our menus page, and check upcoming events.