The USA Swimming Foundation has joined with Pollo Tropical, a Miami-based restaurant company, in a collaboration that will make the Caribbean-inspired chain the Foundation’s first-ever restaurant partner.
A subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., Pollo Tropical will host an annual fundraiser by selling its Halloween coupon treat books at its 130+ store locations, with the proceeds benefitting the USA Swimming Foundation. In addition, the fast-casual restaurant will promote swim safety courses that highlight the lifesaving importance of swim lessons through the USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash Learn to Swim initiative.
“Pollo Tropical has a large and dedicated audience that cares about their health and well-being, which ties perfectly with the USA Swimming Foundation mission of saving lives through swim lessons,” said USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director Debbie Hesse. “Through its customer reach and financial support, Pollo Tropical will help break a dangerous cycle where 70 percent of African-American children, 60 percent of Hispanic children and 40 percent of Caucasian children have little or no swimming ability.”
Founded in 1988, Pollo Tropical owns and operates restaurants in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, and is known for its citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken, made-from-scratch sides and zesty tropical sauces.
As a charitable partner of the USA Swimming Foundation, Pollo Tropical will provide food at events during the USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash Tour presented by Phillips 66 and at Make a Splash local partner events through December 31, 2016.
“As a Miami-based company, our restaurant family holds water safety near and dear to our hearts,” said Pollo Tropical Chief Operating Officer Danny Meisenheimer. “We believe every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim, and we hope our partnership with the USA Swimming Foundation will help encourage more parents in the communities we serve to bring their children to these lifesaving events.”
The USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash initiative is the nation’s preeminent learn-to-swim initiative, with more than 725 local partners nationwide that provide swimming lessons and educate children and their families on the importance of learning how to swim. Since 2007, more than 3.3 million children have learned the critical lifesaving skill of swim lessons from Make a Splash providers.
Pollo Tropical joins the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) as one of the USA Swimming Foundation’s charitable partners, which provide the Foundation with resources to further its mission of saving lives and building champions – in the pool and in life.
About the USA Swimming Foundation
The USA Swimming Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming. Established in 2004, the foundation works to strengthen the sport by saving lives and building champions – in the pool and in life. Whether we’re equipping our children with learn-to-swim skills through our Make a Splash initiative or providing financial support to our heroes on the U.S. National Team, the USA Swimming Foundation aims to provide the wonderful experience of swimming to kids at all levels across the country.
About Pollo Tropical
Pollo Tropical, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., is a Caribbean-inspired fast-casual concept known for its fresh, flame-grilled chicken marinated in a proprietary blend of tropical fruit juices and spices. Other craveable island favorites include Mojo Roast Pork and made-from-scratch sides including rice, beans, yuca with garlic sauce, sweet plantains and more. Menu items like the Tropical Citrus Chicken Salad, Guava BBQ Pork Sandwich and Create Your Own TropiChops® can be customized with 10 zesty tropical signature sauces on Pollo Tropical’s famous Saucing Island®. Founded in 1988, the Miami-based company currently owns and operates nearly 140 locations in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, plus five licensed restaurants on college campuses and 35 franchised locations throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit Pollo Tropical’s website at www.pollotropical.com.
Swimming News is courtesy of the USA Swimming Foundation.
