Who We Are

The Burger King Foundation is a U.S. based 501(c)(3) public nonprofit that believes without education you limit your potential to be your own way. Inspired by Burger King Restaurants co-founder, Jim McLamore, it's our mission to create brighter futures by empowering individuals and feeding potential through education and emergency relief. As a global Foundation, the Burger King Foundation partners with select nonprofits focusing on scholarships, literacy, and creating sustainable learning environments.
Who We Are

Our story started back with Burger King Co-founder James “Jim” W. McLamore and his belief in the importance of a higher education for all. With the inspiration and intention to honor Jim, the Burger King Scholars program was created in 2000. The intention of the program was to advance the education of deserving students in North America and serve as a tribute to Jim, and it has been doing so for the last 23 years with the help of the McLamore Family, Burger King guests, franchisees, system vendors and supporters that believe in the mission of the program, and the Foundation.

To provide a helping hand in times of need, Burger King Corporation established the BK℠ Emergency Fund for its employees in 2004. As they both served to build brighter futures, the programs came together under the creation of what is now known as the Burger King Foundation—a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization—in 2005.

In 2011, the McLamore Family Foundation added a new category to the Burger King Scholars program to help make a greater impact. The James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship Award was created, allowing the Foundation to grant three $60,000 awards to deserving students each year.

Our first global partnership came to fruition when we joined efforts with Room to Read in 2012. The partnership has brought literary environments to children across Africa and Southeast Asia, impacting the lives of nearly 150,000 students to date, with more to come in the future. Following this, the Foundation focuses their impact in the Latin America and Caribbean region by bringing literacy and skills training to residents in disadvantaged areas, with our first center built in the Dominican Republic in 2016.

Our Board of Directors

Tom Curtis

President, Burger King North America, Burger King Foundation Co-Chairman

Chris Johnson

President, Rackson Restaurants Corp.

Rachel Levins

Partner, The Phoenix Organization

Tom McDonald

President, Glencoe Management

Gary Moore

Solid Silver Services, LLC

Patrick O'Toole

Chief Marketing Officer, Burger King

Luke Pisors

Chief Executive Officer, Ambrosia QSR

Richard Santowski

Kollhorst Foods LLC

Eileen Begley

Director of Marketing, Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.

Dan Fitzpatrick

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Quality Dining, Inc., Burger King Foundation Co-Chairman

Robes St. Juste

Chief Executive Officer, St. Juste Management Corp.

Peter Perdue

Sr. Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Burger King

Our Management Team

Tom Curtis

President

Katie Repici

Executive Director

Mercedes Garcia

Finance

Ana Gonzalez

Finance & Accounting

Frances Hassun-Franco

Events & Sponsorships

Britni Garcia

In-Restaurant Fundraising Development

Talia Gonzalez

Programs

Kiara Weiser

Fundraising and Global

Our Officers

Jackie Friesner

Board of Directors Officer, Treasurer

Robin Schafer

Board of Directors Officer, Secretary