FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT
Kathleen Shaffer / [email protected] / (470) 388-6170
Iconic pop culture brand aims to “Stomp Out Cancer” in honor of its 70th anniversary by raising $70,000 for LLS this year. Fundraising efforts were kicked-off with a celebrity lemonade Stomp-A-Thon featuring Mario Lopez at Hot Dog on a Stick’s Muscle Beach location in Santa Monica
ATLANTA – May 2, 2016 – Hot Dog on a Stick is 70 years old and to celebrate its platinum anniversary, is aiming to “Stomp Out Cancer” by raising $70,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). The iconic pop culture brand recently kicked-off its fundraising efforts with a celebrity lemonade Stomp-A-Thon featuring Mario Lopez of Extra and Saved by the Bell fame. At the event, Mario learned to stomp lemonade with LLS’ honored patient heroes including three year old Kylie, who was diagnosed with Leukemia just two days before her second birthday. Leukemia is the most common form of childhood cancer, but thanks to the cutting-edge research funded by LLS, there continuous to be hope. Kylie was put into a clinical trial for her particular type of Leukemia and she has fought cancer with a smile. She has been in remission since November 2015, but will continue maintenance chemo therapy treatment over the next several years.
Hot Dog on a Stick’s Stomp-A-Thon for LLS, held at its famous Muscle Beach location in Santa Monica, raised more than $15,000. The brand is calling on fans and friends to help reach the $70,000 goal. Donations can be made at LLS Event Page. Another highlight of the day was Mario working in the famous beach stand making Hot Dog on a Stick’s famous stick items and serving customers.
“Kylie is an amazing little fighter and one great lemonade stomper too!” said Katie Hiller, mother of LLS Honored Hero, Kylie. “Hot Dog on a Stick’s Stomp-A-Thon was an inspirational and uplifting event and their fundraising efforts will help children like Kylie stomp out cancer for years to come. Please consider donating to their campaign to make a difference in the lives of blood cancer patients and their families.”
Kylie’s journey can be followed on her Facebook page
To find a Hot Dog on a Stick near you, visit our website, or engage with Hot Dog on a Stick on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Additional photos of Mario Lopez at Hot Dog on a Stick’s Stomp-A-Thon for LLS are available. Please contact Kathleen Shaffer at (470) 388-6170 or [email protected]. Interview requests for Kylie and her mom are also available.
About Hot Dog on a Stick® – Visit Hot Dog on a Stick
Established in 1946 in Southern California, Hot Dog on a Stick is known for its fresh, made-to-order hot dog on a stick and cheese on a stick products, hand-stomped natural lemonade, smiling customer service and its iconic bright striped uniforms. Hot Dog on a Stick provides customers with a fun all-American quick service restaurant experience, catering services for events, party packs, and fundraisers. Hot Dog on a Stick has close to 100 locations in the U.S. and internationally including Korea. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For franchising opportunities,
visit Hot Dog on a Stick Franchise.
About Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Visit LLS
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit LLS. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
Annica Conrad
Chief Marketing Officer
Annica has more than 20 years of award-winning marketing experience and has been with GFG for 3 years. She joined the company from Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers where she was Vice President, Brand Development. In this role, Annica was responsible for the rebirth and growth in popularity of the 42-year-old eclectic brand through smart menu design and development, implementation of the Mellow Mushroom loyalty app and creation and rollout of its first online ordering system. Before her time with Mellow Mushroom, Annica was Vice President of Marketing for Mcalister’s Corporation and she spent the early part of her career at a prominent advertising agency in Mobile Alabama. She is graduate of Samford University in Birmingham where she earned her Bachelors in Marketing and MBA in Economics.
Sam Patterson
Chief Financial Officer
Patterson came to Global Franchise Group in April 2020 from FOCUS Brands where he served as Senior Vice President of Accounting. For the last eleven years, he was responsible for leading financials for Cinnabon, Carvel, Schlotzsky’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, McAlister’s Deli, Auntie Anne’s and Jamba Juice. He directed the organization through the transfer and integration of all accounting back-office functions for Auntie Anne’s from Pennsylvania, McAlister’s Deli from Mississippi, and Jamba Juice from Texas to Atlanta and converted a brand-centric accounting structure into a shared services organization. Before his time with FOCUS, he was Senior Vice President & Corporate Controller for Movie Gallery/Hollywood Video (NASDAQ: MOVI & MVGR), Vice President and Corporate Controller for Republic National Cabinet Corporation, and Corporate Controller for Wolverine Tube, Inc. (NYSE: WLV). He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant, holds a master’s in business administration from Auburn University, and is a graduate of the University of Texas, Tyler.