Franchisee to Award $213,000 in Burger King Foundation Scholarships

Burger King Foundation Scholarships
Mary Vinnedge

Support from GPS Hospitality Will Help 213 Students Pay for Schooling

GPS Hospitality, a franchisee owning more than 400 Burger King restaurants, will award Burger King Foundation scholarships to 213 students in 13 states. This year’s winners are 30 employees and 183 seniors in local communities where GPS Hospitality franchises operate. 

The Burger King Foundation scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors based on their grades, financial need, and how they’ve contributed to their schools and communities through volunteerism, leadership and work experiences. Burger King employees and their family members pursuing a traditional post-secondary education or enrichment programs are also eligible to apply for the foundation scholarships. 

Funded by Burger King Guests

Burger King Foundation scholarships are a community effort that is funded 100% via guest donations at local restaurants. Since 2013, GPS Hospitality has helped 1,601 scholars, which amounts to nearly $1.6 million in gifts to further their schooling. 

In a news release, GPS Hospitality President Michael Lippert said his company is “passionate about making a positive local impact. I am proud of our team members who drive in-store donations that support the Burger King Foundation Scholarship program. Not only is it rewarding to be able support students and employees in continuing their education, but also to see the impact our team members and guests are making together in cities across the country.”

About GPS Hospitality and the Foundation

Founded in 2012, GPS Hospitality is a Burger King, Pizza Hut and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchisee, operating 475-plus restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia. 

The Burger King Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public nonprofit organization adhering to the philosophy that without education, you limit your potential. Its stated mission is to create brighter futures by empowering individuals and feeding potential through education and emergency relief. The foundation teams up with select nonprofits to focus on scholarships, literacy and creating sustainable learning environments. 

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Mary Vinnedge

Mary Vinnedge

Mary Vinnedge is an award-winning journalist who has served as editor in chief, managing editor and senior editor at national and regional publications, including SUCCESS and Design NJ magazines. She also held reporting and editing roles at The Dallas Morning News and Charlotte Observer newspapers.

Before Mary began covering franchise news and trends as a staff writer for FranchiseWire and Franchise Consultant Magazine, she developed articles on topics ranging from lifestyle, education, health and science to home projects, horticulture, gardening, interior design and architecture. These articles included her reporting on academic news at her alma mater, Texas A&M University, when Mary worked in the marketing department of the Texas A&M Foundation. She continues to be a news junkie and subscribes to several publications.

Today Mary and her husband are empty nesters living on Galveston Island near Houston. The couple’s blended family – scattered around the United States – includes five children, five grandchildren and two very spoiled, very barky miniature schnauzer rescues.

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