Malawi’s Pizza moves 1 million meals to namesake nation

Malawi’s Pizza has hit its goal of delivering 1 million meals to children in the impoverished nation of Malawi, a news release said. The chain is celebrating the laudable achievement with plans to expand nationally in order to deliver a “million more” meals under its pledge to give one meal for every meal sold.

“Hitting the 1 million mark in our Meal-for-Meal Exchange Program with just a few restaurants has been truly remarkable,” Co-founder Blake Roney said in the release. “Not only have we been able to make a real impact on children’s lives, reaching this milestone also proves that the unique business model we developed around the core philosophy of giving back is resonating.

“With our national expansion, we are looking forward now to quickening our pace and delivering millions of more meals in the years to come.”

Roney and Chef Kent Andersen founded the business after Roney went on a humanitarian trip to Malawi, and the two set about with their plan to help the 6.5 million people there struck by hunger through an ongoing source of aid.

“None of us alone can change the world,” Andersen said in the release. “But we offer consumers an easy way to change a child’s life by making a conscious decision about where to buy their next meal.”

Under the Meal-for-Meal Exchange Program, the company delivers nutrient-dense meals to children and their families in Malawi. The company buys local maize that is then blended with vitamins and nutrients and delivered to schools and villages throughout the country in partnership with Feed the Children.

Studies have shown that consumers are increasingly seeking out brands that support a good cause. And while many businesses today are involved in philanthropic efforts and partnerships, Malawi’s was developed specifically around the meal giveback program. Each of its franchises also partners with a local hunger-fighting charity.

Malawi’s Pizza currently has three stores in Utah, Texas and Virginia with a fourth to open in the Houston-area. It has more than 20 in the development pipeline, including four in the Virginia area.

Working with franchise expert, Ben Litalien from Georgetown University, Malawi’s Pizza has launched a regional developer franchise model and is seeking qualified foodservice operators to develop franchises in major markets across the U.S.