Habit, alongside our parent company Yum! Brands and sister brand Taco Bell, partnered with Blessings in a Backpack to help provide weekend meals to local students facing food insecurity.

Together, 153 volunteers packed 5,000 weekend meal bags for children in the community. Three of those volunteers joined us through Blessings in a Backpack and its beneficiary, Scholarship Prep.

The meal bags will provide food for 500 children across five local schools for 10 weekends.

Blessings in a Backpack is a national nonprofit that mobilizes communities to provide food on weekends for school-aged children. Since 2009, the organization has delivered more than 30 million hunger-free weekends to children across the country, helping kids return to school ready to learn, grow and thrive.

As part of Yum! Brands’ Community Impact Month, teams across Kentucky, California and Texas are coming together with organizations like Blessings in a Backpack to support children and families in the communities where we live and work.

At Habit, we’re proud to be part of that work alongside Yum!, Taco Bell, KFC and Blessings in a Backpack. A weekend meal can make a real difference for a child and for the community around them.

At Habit, good habits are about more than what’s on the grill. They’re about showing up for the communities around us.

During Yum! Food & Futures Community Impact Month and National Hunger Action Month, Habit team members from our Restaurant Support Center came together at the CAP OC Food Bank to help put nutritious food into the hands of local families, seniors and children facing food insecurity.

On September 16, our team spent two hours packing boxes on the food bank’s assembly lines, working side by side to sort and pack food for distribution throughout Orange County. And, naturally, we brought the Habit catering truck along to keep the team fueled before the shift.

The result was pretty simple: a lot of boxes, packed by a lot of people who were ready to help.

• 1,109 boxes packed
• 35,488 pounds of food
• 2,218 community members supported
• 66,540 meals

The food boxes will be distributed to local low-income seniors and children through the OC Food Bank, which serves communities throughout Orange County and surrounding areas.

For us, that’s what Community Impact Month is about. Getting out of the office, rolling up our sleeves and doing something that helps.

A big thank-you to everyone who showed up, packed a box and made the afternoon count. Good habits look good on you.

This weekend, Habit was honored to stand alongside firefighters, first responders, veterans, military members and the Long Beach community for the inaugural Long Beach World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

The event was created to honor the 343 members of the New York City Fire Department who lost their lives responding to the attacks on September 11, 2001, and to ensure their courage and sacrifice continue to be remembered by generations to come.

The morning began with a memorial ceremony and moment of silence before participants took on a powerful challenge: climbing 110 stories, representing the height FDNY personnel faced inside the World Trade Center that morning.

But this wasn’t just a stair climb. At check-in, each participant selected the name and badge of a fallen firefighter to carry with them, making every step a personal tribute to one of the heroes who never made it home.

For Habit’s Sr. Director of Operations & Guest Experience, Jamesa Willis, supporting the event was about showing up for a community that has always shown up for others.

“Seeing so many firefighters, first responders, families and community members come together to honor these heroes was incredibly moving,” said Willis. “At Habit, we talk a lot about hospitality and what it means to take care of people. Sometimes that simply means showing up, serving a warm meal and letting people know you’re there for them. We were humbled to be part of such a meaningful day.”

When climbers completed their 110-story tribute, Habit Trucks were waiting at the finish to serve complimentary Charburgers to climbers and participants.

It was a simple gesture after an extraordinary morning, and one small way our Habit family could say thank you.

We’re grateful to the Long Beach Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 372, Long Beach Fire Department and everyone who helped bring this inaugural event to life. Most of all, we’re grateful to the firefighters and first responders who continue to carry forward the legacy of those who served on September 11.

At Habit, being part of a community means being there for the big moments, the difficult ones and the moments when gathering around a meal can bring people just a little closer together.

We were proud to be there. We will never forget.

At Habit, doing good in the communities we serve is just part of who we are. We recently had the chance to show up in a meaningful way by sponsoring lunch for Working Wardrobes’ Suit Up for Success event with our catering truck, and it was a day we won’t forget.

More than 100 donors came together to support young adults stepping into the workforce, bringing hundreds of pieces of professional clothing to help them feel confident and prepared for what’s next. People showed up ready to give their time and their belief in what these young adults can achieve.

We were proud to serve fresh meals to attendees throughout the day, helping create a welcoming space where the focus stayed on opportunity and community.

Working Wardrobes continues to do incredible work by giving people the tools they need to move forward with confidence, from career support to professional wear. Events like Suit Up for Success are a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose and heart.

We are grateful to have played a small role in a big day, and we are always inspired by organizations like Working Wardrobes that are making a lasting impact.

If you want to get involved or support their mission, join the movement today.

California Restaurant Foundation and Arizona Restaurant Association recently hosted two of the region’s most exciting student culinary events, and at Habit, we were proud to help power the next generation of restaurant leaders.

This spring, Habit supported both the CA ProStart Cup and the Arizona ProStart Invitational, two flagship events within the national ProStart program. These competitions give high school students the opportunity to showcase their culinary and restaurant management skills in front of industry professionals while competing for scholarships and national recognition.

Spotlight: The Fresh Burger Battle

One of the most exciting moments at the CA ProStart Cup was the Fresh Burger Battle, a solo quick-fire competition sponsored by us at Habit.

The challenge brought together student chefs who had to think fast, cook creatively, and deliver a standout burger under pressure.

This year’s winner was Jenna Barada of Bonita High School, who impressed judges with her culinary skills and creativity. Jenna took home a medal, Habit swag and gift card, a chef’s knife, and an unforgettable opportunity to spend a day inside Chef Jason Triail’s Innovation Kitchen, where fresh new menu ideas come to life.

Supporting Students Beyond the Competition

Our involvement went beyond a single challenge. We also served as:

• National Team Sponsor for the California teams
• Title Sponsor of the Arizona ProStart Invitational

These partnerships help ensure students receive real-world exposure to the restaurant industry while building the skills that will shape their careers.

On the Road to Nationals

The competitions also determined which teams will advance to the national stage at the National ProStart Student Invitational, taking place April 24–26, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Representing their states will be four outstanding schools:

California

• Orange County School of the Arts
• San Dimas High School

Arizona

• Apollo High School
• Kingman High School

These top culinary and restaurant management teams have already earned college scholarships and will compete for additional awards at Nationals.

Investing in the Future of the Industry

For Habit, supporting programs like ProStart is about more than sponsorship, it’s about mentorship moments under our own Chef Jason Triail and investing in the future of the restaurant industry.

By connecting students with real chefs, real challenges, and real opportunities, programs like ProStart help build the pipeline of talented cooks, entrepreneurs, and restaurant leaders who will shape the industry for years to come.

And who knows… the next great burger innovator may already be sharpening their knives.

For twelve years and counting, giving back during the holidays has been one of our favorite traditions.

This season, Habit Burger & Grill proudly teamed up once again with our friends at Taco Bell to support the Spark of Love Toy Drive, benefiting kids across Southern California through ABC7 Los Angeles and local firefighters. Our Irvine office quickly filled with toys as team members brought the holiday spirit.

But we didn’t stop there.

Once the bins were full, we loaded up the toys and hit the road to Los Angeles, where the grills were fired up and ready. At the Spark of Love event, we served free Habit to attendees, volunteers, and first responders, because nothing brings people together quite like good food and a shared purpose.

Chef Jason Triail was right in the middle of the action, bringing the energy, the flavor, and the heart that make these moments so special.

“The holidays are about showing up for your community,” said Chef Jason. “Whether it’s cooking a great meal or helping put a smile on a kid’s face, it’s an honor to be part of something that gives back in such a real way.”

We’re incredibly grateful to our Habit team members, partners, and everyone who donated toys or time to help make this year’s drive a success. Seeing the joy these efforts bring to kids and families is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.

Here’s to twelve years of Spark of Love, and to many more seasons of giving back, together.

Habit was proud to support Force In Training (FIT) Day presented by Wells Fargo with the California Restaurant Foundation. Together, we helped thousands of high school students build the confidence and real world skills they needed to land their first jobs and take meaningful steps toward bright futures.

More than 3,500 students across California took part in the California Restaurant Foundation’s FIT Day presented by Wells Fargo. Over the course of one morning, 150 volunteers teamed up to prepare ProStart students for their first interviews, first paychecks, and the responsibilities that come with both.

FIT Day presented by Wells Fargo grew from the California Restaurant Foundation’s mission to enrich culinary arts programs at public high schools statewide. On this single day, 90- minute in person workshops unfolded simultaneously at 51 schools.

Restaurant industry volunteers, including our team at Habit, worked directly with students on mock interviews, elevator pitches, handshakes, and conversations about career paths in food service and hospitality. Wells Fargo volunteers focused on financial readiness, walking students through an interactive paycheck budgeting activity and introducing them to CalKids, a resource that helps cover costs for college or career training.

Stacy Hua, Social Purpose Team Chair at Habit, shared what the day meant to her. “One thing I love about Habit is how much time we choose to give to our social purpose work. It is easy to write a check to a charity, but showing up and donating our time to give real life advice to youth who are ready to enter the job market is something different. It feels meaningful. It feels like we are championing the next generation of restaurant leaders.”

For many students, this was their first real exposure to the world of work. They were preparing to apply for jobs and earn their own money for the first time. FIT Day presented by Wells Fargo gave them a supportive place to practice, ask questions, and learn from people who want to see them succeed. It was a powerful reminder of how much impact a single day of mentorship can have on a young person’s future.

On Saturday, November 15, we celebrated Habit’s 56th birthday the best way we know how: by giving back. This year, we launched our very first Good Habits Day with one simple idea. Enjoy a free Double Charburger to help feed kids. For a one dollar or more donation to No Kid Hungry, guests received our #1 ranked Double Char.

Our biggest celebration took place at our South Pasadena restaurant. The place was packed, the balloons looked incredible, and the energy never dipped.

The iHeart team kept the party going all afternoon. Tye Hollywood and Menace brought the fun and helped make the day unforgettable. Our guests also enjoyed Spin the Grill prize giveaways, exclusive merch, and a few surprises from Menace + team.

KTLA stopped by to capture the event and share the story with viewers. It was a reminder that making a difference can be simple. Our guests were able to help kids just by enjoying a burger they already love.

“For more than 10 years, Habit has proudly partnered with No Kid Hungry to help end childhood hunger in America, a mission that is deeply personal to me as a board member,” said Iwona Alter, Habit’s Chief Operating Officer. “This year, we launched Good Habits Day on our 56th birthday to celebrate what we love most: great food and giving back. It’s incredible to see our guests come together for a simple act that makes a real difference. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to make Good Habits Day a tradition for years to come.”

Why We Support No Kid Hungry

We have been proud partners of No Kid Hungry since 2015. Together, we have raised more than $3.2 million to help ensure every child gets the meals they need. It is a partnership that reflects our values and our belief that even a small act, like picking up a favorite burger, can create meaningful change.

One in five children in America experiences food insecurity. That is why this work matters. We hope Good Habits Day becomes an annual tradition so that every year, more guests can celebrate our birthday with us while helping kids who need it most.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us and helped make our first Good Habits Day one to remember.

This week, our Habit team members rolled up their sleeves at CAP OC’s The Giving Farm, to help bring in one of the farm’s biggest harvest days yet. Together, we tended to over 7,600 pounds of fresh watermelon that will soon make their way to thousands of local seniors, families, and children experiencing food insecurity.

Our efforts also supported students participating in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, a hands-on agricultural curriculum at Westminster High School. In just a few hours of work, our team helped set the stage for an even bigger milestone later this week, an estimated 25,000 pounds of watermelon harvested for our community!

Stacy Hua, Social Purpose Team Lead at Habit Burger & Grill, said, “It’s inspiring to see what can happen when our team members come together with a shared purpose. The fresh produce we helped to harvest will nourish families across Orange County and surrounding areas. Being part of this impact is something we’re deeply proud of.”

The Giving Farm is a farm-to-food bank program located at Westminster High School that promotes both student learning and community engagement in California’s agricultural industry. Each year, the program delivers over 200,000 pounds of produce to the OC Food Bank, supporting more than 400 local charities, soup kitchens, and nonprofit organizations.

At Habit Burger & Grill, we believe in serving our communities both inside and outside our restaurants—and this harvest day was one delicious way to give back.

Learn more about The Giving Farm here: capoc.org/giving-farm

On Tuesday, September 16, we partnered with our parent brand Yum! Brands and our sister brand Taco Bell to join forces with Blessings in a Backpack to help fight childhood hunger. Together, volunteers—including our own Habit Burger & Grill CEO, Shannon Hennessy—packed over 2,000 meal bags for local Orange County students who might otherwise face an empty table over the weekend.

Blessings in a Backpack is a national nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing communities to provide food on the weekends for school-aged children. Since 2009, the organization has delivered more than 30 million hunger-free weekends to children across the country. Their mission ensures that kids can return to school on Monday ready to learn, grow, and thrive.

This September, Yum! Brands is celebrating Community Impact Month by supporting organizations like Blessings in a Backpack across Kentucky, California, and Texas. Through these partnerships, thousands of children will head into the weekend with the nourishment they need and the comfort of knowing their community cares.

At Habit Burger & Grill, we’re proud to stand alongside Yum!, Taco Bell, and Blessings in a Backpack in making a difference right here in Orange County. Together, we’re fueling brighter futures.