Pancheros Mexican Grill Partners with RAYGUN to Support STEM Educational Program

“While we recognize that 2020 hasn’t been an easy year for anyone,” said Rodney Anderson, founder and CEO of Pancheros. “We are committed to taking an active role in each community where we operate, and our goal is to spread some much-needed positivity and support a great cause.”

The RAYGUN shirts will feature the text “2020: At Least There’s Still Burritos,” and will donate 10% of the profits to SMASH and Pancheros will match the donation. RAYGUN is known as a Midwest clothing company, and it typically gives back between 15-30% of its profits each year.

“RAYGUN values bringing the community together, giving back to the community and providing everyone with amazing products,” said Emma Rink, Custom Printing Manager at RAYGUN. “Our team is excited to partner with Pancheros to raise funds for SMASH that will support teens interested in STEM.”

SMASH has a mission of building a strong, diverse, and socially conscious tech workforce by leveling the playing field for students of color and providing academic learning and experiential engagement for high school and college students. Focusing on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, SMASH aims to create a future where every student, regardless of the zip code they grew up in, has the opportunity to thrive in the global economy.

“We are thrilled that Pancheros and RAYGUN are teaming up to support SMASH,” said Eli Kennedy, CEO at SMASH. “As we work to remove barriers in STEM education and career opportunities for Black, Indigenous and Latinx populations, we will continue to advocate for tech leaders with these additional funds."

Pancheros continues to extend its support to benefit nonprofit organizations like SMASH and offers fundraising programs that help create a localized impact for its restaurants. Through this initiative, its $1 burrito events and its Queso for a Cause fundraisers, Pancheros locations across the country coordinate with local nonprofits to raise funds for various causes throughout the year.

The beginning of Pancheros dates back to 1992 when Rodney Anderson opened the brand’s first restaurant in Iowa City, Iowa. Originally modeled after the Chicago taquerias that Anderson had visited often with his friends during his teenage years, the brand’s pursuit of constructing a better built burrito launched Pancheros into an evolution based on simplicity and fresh-pressed tortillas.

Since its humble beginnings, Pancheros has earned a loyal following for redefining the standards of modern burritos by using fresh-pressed tortillas and perfectly-mixed ingredients with the help of BOB the Tool, a unique plastic spatula used to carefully mix ingredients together to create the perfect taste in every bite.

Amid its popularity, the brand has successfully grown from its roots and today a robust franchising program has led to nearly 70 locations across 12 states.