The Chattanooga Steak 'n Shake franchise is donating more than $40,000 - and hopes to eventually donate up to $200,000 - to the campaign for a new outpatient Children's Hospital at Erlanger Health System.
Debo's Diners, which operates Steak 'n Shake restaurants in Hixson, East Brainerd, Dalton, Fort Oglethorpe and Cleveland, Tenn., announced the gift today for Erlanger's Believe Campaign benefiting Children's Hospital at Erlanger.
"We are committed to putting people before profit and improving the lives of our guests, associates, and the members of the communities we serve, and decided the Believe campaign was the perfect fit for us to give back," said Mike Richman, vice president of Debo's Diners. "We are thrilled to have raised over $40,000 so far, but we are hoping to raise between $150,000-200,000 by the end of 2019."
Richman said local diners can help this franchise meet their contribution goal in two ways.
"Every Tuesday we are donating a portion of our sales to the Believe campaign, and every day we are providing guests the opportunity to round up their checks as a contribution to the Believe campaign," he said.
Julie Taylor, president of the Erlanger Health System Foundations, said, "Steak 'n Shake support is helping finance construction of a 90,000-square-foot outpatient center now being built on East Third Street on Erlanger's main campus.
Upon completion, the Children's Hospital Outpatient Center will provide more than 20 pediatric sub-specialties and the highest level of care to the children of this region. The new facility is scheduled to open in December.
Debo's Diners is a two-time Steak 'n Shake franchise of the year founded 1995 by President Debbie "Debo" Richman.