Name: T.L. Cannon
Locations: Upstate New York, Connecticut and Northern PA
Excerpts from the Restaurant Neighbor Award Recipient
“An operator of Applebee’s restaurants for close to 25 years, TL Cannon has 61 units in Upstate New York, Connecticut and one unit in Northern Pennsylvania.
“Neighborhood is the foundation of our brand,” says Stephanie Griffin, director of marketing and public relations. “It is the core that we built the business on, so it is hugely important that we give back. We want to be part of the community and for us it is a lot more than turning the key and opening our restaurants for business.”
In 2008 executives from TL Cannon toured the “Give Kids The World Village” in Orlando, FL where the majority of families receiving Disney World wishes stay during their trip. It was then and there that the heartfelt alliance with Make-A-Wish began.
To date that union has generated more than $1,145,000, granting upwards of 200 wishes for children in TL Cannon’s neighborhoods.
“Granting a wish for a child with a life-threatening illness is so much more than just providing a vacation or a material gift. It’s respite for that child and family in our community from the difficulties they face every day,” says Griffin. “It’s the countdown to their wish taking place and the joy of anticipation — something to look forward to as they work through medical, financial and emotional burdens. These wishes provide hope.
“We could not be prouder to sponsor those wishes and help them be part of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
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The ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish is one of myriad ways TL Cannon reaches out to help children in its trading areas, giving more than $150,000 annually to five chapters.
“Supporting our community and neighborhood is the foundation we’ve built our business on,” says Matthew Fairbairn, chief executive and founder of TL Cannon Companies. “Youth is a particular area of focus — in education, sports, health, and well-being. The future of the community starts with them and so we’ve taken a particular interest.”
In one year TL Cannon generated $1.75 million for local schools and youth programs through its widely embraced Flapjack Fundraisers, hosting more than 2,100 events at its restaurants that involved 6,500 staff members who volunteered their time.
