Lancaster, Pa. (February 12, 2015) –For the second consecutive year, Auntie Anne’s, Inc. has been named a Pennsylvania state winner for the Restaurant Neighbor Award for its charitable work in funding childhood cancer research. 

The Restaurant Neighbor Award is presented to a restaurant or company for its outstanding community service programs or projects. Auntie Anne’s, the world’s largest franchisor of hand-rolled soft pretzels, was recognized with this award because of its charitable partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

“We’re honored to once again be recognized by the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association awards committee,” said Bill Dunn, Group President at FOCUS Brands, Inc. and President and Chief Operating Officer of Auntie Anne’s, Inc. “It’s part of our mission to give back in the communities where we live. Through our partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, and in collaboration with our franchise community, we are making an impact across the country. Together, we can find cures for childhood cancer.” 

Auntie Anne's, Inc. is one of five Pennsylvania state winners selected for the 2015 Restaurant Neighbor Award. Along with the other state winners, Auntie Anne's will be submitted to the National Restaurant Association for consideration for the national Restaurant Neighbor Award. 

Since forming a national charitable partnership with ALSF in September 2011, the company has raised nearly two million dollars for childhood cancer research through in-store fundraising campaigns, coin canisters, local pretzel rolling contests, and Auntie Anne’s C.A.R.E.S. Charity Golf Tournament. In a continued effort to fund cures for childhood cancer, Auntie Anne’s will be launching its fourth annual fundraising campaign in stores this summer.

ABOUT AUNTIE ANNE’S

Auntie Anne’s, which started at a farmer’s market stand in 1988, mixes, twists, and bakes pretzels to golden brown perfection all day long in full view of guests. Anne and Jonas Beiler purchased the stand to provide the income needed for their vision of providing free counseling services to families and couples in their community. Building on their founder’s vision to give back, Auntie Anne’s is committed to serving others. In the past 10 years, Auntie Anne’s and its employees, franchisees, and crewmembers have donated more than $5 million to numerous local and national charitable organizations. For more information, visit Auntie Anne’s website, Facebook page, Twitter or YouTube account.

ABOUT ALEX’S LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $100 million toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 475 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. For more information on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit AlexsLemonade.org.