• by Teresa Buyikian , January 28, 2025

The multiple massive fires throughout Los Angeles County have devastated thousands of homes, as well as disrupted the lives of the thousands of people within them. The above photo was taken from my own balcony the morning of the (thankfully brief) Sunset Fire.

Many QSRs, several of which are headquartered in areas surrounding the City of Angels, have undertaken relief efforts. Here are a few.

Chipotle is providing $1 million in free meals to firefighters, first responders and those impacted by the fires. The chain is also facilitating free meal cards and catering for organizations assisting individuals affected by the fires. The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation is matching monetary donations from eligible Restaurant Support Center and field-based staff to charitable organizations aiding in the relief efforts.

Fat Brands, parent company of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Round Table Pizza and Hot Dog on a Stick, announced it was donating 10,000 meals to first responders and fire evacuees in California. The Beverly Hills-based brand sent Fatburger’s “Fatmobile,” to serve meals at first responder sites and shelters.

Habit Burger & Grill sent food trucks to the fire’s frontlines to feed responders and evacuees, as well as launched a complimentary Charburger meal program that provides more than 9,000 free meals to impacted residents in L.A. County restaurants.

KFC offered free KFC Bowls to first responders in Southern California and activated the KFC U.S. Foundation Hardship Assistance Program for impacted restaurant team members.

MOD Pizza launched a fundraiser across California to support Los Angeles fire relief efforts. $1 of each entree purchased from Jan. 20 through Jan. 22 went to directly to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. Various MOD locations also donated pizzas to local shelters and first responders in the affected areas. Additionally, MOD Pizza partner Mike Kurtz (also the creator of Mike’s Hot Honey) pledged to match up to $10,000 in donations.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ, headquartered in Los Angeles County, offered active-duty first responders one free Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Plate or Chicken Katsu Plate at the participating locations from Jan. 9 through Jan. 16.

Shake Shack immediately began fulfilling free food requests from shelters and fire stations once the fires began, serving thousands of burgers, and also offered free Shackburgers to first responders.

Taco Bell, headquartered in Los Angeles’ neighboring Orange County, used its Taco Trucks to provide meals to frontline first responders, which worked in partnership with a local Taco Bell franchise organization, which also provided meals to first responders. The brand activated an emergency grants program via its Taco Bell Foundation to support local community partner organizations in providing essential services to those affected.

Wingstop added a round-up change option to customer checks, with the funds going directly to the Red Cross, and will continue to offer free meals to first responders and to local fire stations and medical facilities.

Yum Brands, parent company of Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill, activated employee disaster relief and donation matching programs, as well as donating an additional $250,000 to expand support of the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program. Additionally the company activated the Yum Disaster Relief Program, which supports affected restaurant team members, and launched a double matching program for employee donations to local relief efforts.