4 Fast-Food Brands Supporting Pride Month
Pride Month is celebrated every June to honor those who were involved in the Stonewall Riots in 1969 to protest equal rights for LGBTQ+ people. While parades and large celebrations across the country are much less likely to happen this year due to COVID-19, there's still a lot to celebrate. For example, just last week, the Supreme Court ruled that a civil rights law barring sex discrimination in the workplace applies to gay, lesbian, and transgender employees.
Even though many restaurants in the U.S. remain closed for dine-in service due to the pandemic, it doesn't mean that Pride Month deals and discounts aren't happening at your favorite spots. Here are four fast-casual restaurant chains that are offering special menu items and promotions in honor of Pride Month. (You'll notice that three are making generous donations to organizations that work to support members of the LGBTQ+ community.) And for more, make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter for the latest restaurant deals and news.
Shake Shack
The burger and shack chain does something every year to show its support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Last year, the fast-food restaurant introduced a Pride Shake to its menu—a cake batter and custard shake topped with rainbow glitter sprinkles. This year, the chain is once again offering the Pride Shake, and culinary director Mark Rosati even posted a video on IGTV showing customers how they can make their own at home.
Shake Shack is also selling a limited-edition Pride merch collection (same as last year) that includes unisex tees, Bombas socks, and crop tops. The burger chain also partnered with jeweler ISLNYC to create a slick, laser-cut acrylic rainbow burger necklace. According to Business Insider, all proceeds for these items go toward Shake Shack's $25,000 contribution The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization that focuses on suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth. (Related: 8 Fast-Food Brands Supporting Black Lives Matter.)
Smashburger
In honor of Pride Month, Smashburger is offering a BOGO deal on June 28, National Pride Day, for its Crispy Chicken Smash sandwich. "Smashburger knows that its guests are not only burger lovers but chicken lovers too and this sandwich encourages fans to indulge their taste buds in total comfort no matter their preference," president Carl Bachmann said in a press release emailed to Eat This, Not That!. (Related: This Beloved Burger Chain Could Be Shutting Their Doors for Good.)
Starbucks
The coffee chain you know and love has already donated $100,000 this month to the Human Rights Campaign and the National Center for Transgender Equality to help support members of the LGTBQ+ community struggling during the pandemic. Additionally, the chain is selling color-changing cups, studded tumblers, and colorful totes at select stores to show its Pride spirit. (Related: Starbucks Is Adopting This McDonald's Strategy in Order to Survive COVID-19.)
Wayback Burgers
Wayback Burgers is also partaking in making a special treat for Pride Month. Until the end of June, you can purchase a 16-ounce vanilla milkshake with rainbow sprinkles and whipped cream. Funds for the shake will go toward the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, an organization that provides a safe space for LGBTQ youth to hang out and learn.
"We are very excited to offer this shake in support of the LGBTQ Pride Month," Wayback Burgers' President Patrick Conlin said in a statement. "We are also proud to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America and their commitment to providing an inclusive environment for all, including LGBTQ youth." For more, check out these 4 Famous Food Brands That are Changing Their Look Due to Racial Stereotypes.
