Million-Dollar Partnership to Expand Restaurant and Hospitality Training Across the US Announced

The PepsiCo Foundation and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) have unveiled a strategic partnership to extend restaurant and hospitality job-readiness training to new cities in the United States. This initiative aims to equip people from various backgrounds with the necessary skills for a career in the restaurant industry. As part of the partnership, the PepsiCo Foundation has granted NRAEF $1 million to broaden the Restaurant Ready program, which trains employees and offers career services to underserved communities.

C.D. Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation, expressed that this collaboration aims to increase opportunities for individuals to gain essential skills and establish a career in the restaurant industry. The NRAEF will utilize the PepsiCo Foundation's support to enhance its training programs, focusing on providing potential restaurant employees with crucial knowledge and skills for success in the field. The expansion will primarily target underserved communities, aiming to increase access to the Restaurant Ready training program and subsequent job opportunities.

This investment from the PepsiCo Foundation has already allowed the Restaurant Ready program to launch in five new cities: Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York City. Rob Gifford, President of the NRAEF, emphasized the importance of first job experiences and their opportunities for career growth. The PepsiCo Foundation's support has enabled NRAEF to assist over 2,000 trainees in 2024, including more than a thousand new enrollees this year.

Besides backing NRAEF's workforce training programs, the PepsiCo Foundation maintains its commitment to aiding small businesses and restaurants via several other initiatives, including the Impacto Business Accelerator and the Restaurant Accelerator program in collaboration with the National Urban League. These programs aim to offer small business owners valuable resources, mentorship, and financial support, helping them grow and succeed in the competitive market.

In partnership with four regional Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), the Impacto initiative aims to empower small food service businesses that cater to the Hispanic community by providing grants, training, and mentorship. In partnership with the National Urban League, the Restaurant Accelerator program offers comprehensive support for restaurants in communities that often lack financial resources, including business development training, financial assistance, and access to industry experts.

The PepsiCo Foundation is committed to creating lasting change in communities through strategic partnerships and local grassroots organizations.