Arby’s Introduces New Kids Meal, Partners with No Kid Hungry Campaign

Arby's Introduces New Kids Meal, Partners with No Kid Hungry CampaignArby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. and its charitable arm, The Arby’s Foundation, are pledging to make a real difference in the lives of American children. Beginning on October 3, 2011, Arby’s will roll out a new Kids Meal featuring more wholesome choices parents can feel good about serving their children.  Additionally, the Arby’s Foundation has just signed on as a partner with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, a national effort to end childhood hunger in America by 2015.

Guided by nutritionists and customer insights gleaned from moms, Arby’s new Kids Meal will include Chiquita apple slices and a strawberry yogurt dipping sauce as the side item, instead of fries. New Kids Meal items include:

  • Jr. Turkey and Cheese Sandwich, apple slices with strawberry yogurt dipping sauce and a choice of: low-fat white milk, Capri Sun 100% Fruit Juice, or bottled water.
  • Kraft Macaroni & Cheese entree, apple slices with strawberry yogurt dipping sauce and a choice of: low-fat white milk, Capri Sun 100% Fruit Juice, or bottled water.

Arby’s will also automatically serve apple slices with yogurt dipping sauce as the side item in all existing Kids Meals, along with one of the new beverage choices. Parents will have the option to request Curly Fries, or a fountain drink as substitutes. The new Kids Meals have reduced calories by an estimated 40 percent, total fat by approximately 70 percent and sodium by an average of 50 percent, compared to Arby’s previous Kids Meal offerings.

Purchases from every Kids Meal help to fund the work of the Arby’s Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which is marking its 25th anniversary with a new mission to join the fight to end childhood hunger in America. Since its inception in 1986, the Arby’s Foundation has raised more than $52 million to support youth initiatives.

As a No Kid Hungry Campaign partner, the Arby’s Foundation will support the cause with donations, including an upcoming restaurant fundraising program and national and local awareness support through engagement of customers, employees and partners. The Arby’s Foundation’s goal is to contribute a minimum of $1 million to the No Kid Hungry Campaign in 2011.

“The Arby’s family is proud to introduce our new Kids Meal choices, which will provide parents with more nutritious and wholesome options for their children,” said Hala Moddelmog, president of ARG and chair of the Arby’s Foundation. “At the same time, the Arby’s Foundation is focusing its charitable efforts to help our cause partner, Share Our Strength and the No Kid Hungry campaign. Together, we intend to tackle this pressing problem and help the 16 million children in America who are struggling with hunger,” she added.

“During a time when more families than ever need extra support, we welcome the Arby’s Foundation as a dedicated partner in the fight to end childhood hunger in America,” said Billy Shore, chairman and CEO of Share Our Strength. “There are 16.2 million children – that’s one in five – who struggle with hunger. With Arby’s commitment to support our mission, together we will help ensure that more children have access to the food they need to grow and thrive.”