Restaurants & Bars
Tocaya Organica Restaurants Launch Charitable Foundation
SoCal-based Tocaya Life Foundation will invite nonprofits to pitch - Shark Tank-like - partnership ideas for environmental & social causes.
LOS ANGELES, CA — Tocaya Organica, a Southern California-based restaurant chain, with several eateries in Greater Los Angeles, that strives to provide a healthy, Mexican-inspired menu, has launched a new charitable arm, the Tocaya Life Foundation — and environmental-caused nonprofits will be enthused as they can score big bucks and notoriety for their endeavors.
The eatery's foundation will be dedicated to such social and environmental causes as sustainability, alternative farming and ocean preservation, according to the business. One goal is for three nonprofits each quarter to pitch, in a "Shark Tank"-type panel, propositions to Tocaya Organic executives on why the organizations should partner with the restaurant chain.
On the receiving end of these "Wave Tank" pitches, beginning in October, will be Tocaya Organica's President Mikey Tanha, CEO and co-founder Tosh Berman, Chief Operating Officer Rudy Sugueti, Foundation Manager Jordan Yorn and Chief Marketing Officer Matt Smith.
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“As a vegan-first, California-based brand, the environment is monumentally important to us, so we put our heads together to think outside the box to come up with specific and immediate ways that we can give back,” Berman said. "We are eager to launch Tocaya Life Foundation’s Wave Tank and begin working with innovative companies that share the same passion as Tocaya Organica for making the world a better place for ourselves and for future generations."
The first-place winner of "Wave Tank" will be named as the restaurant’s official partner for the upcoming quarter, during which the two companies will work together to create new dishes for Tocaya Organica or select an existing menu item, with a portion of its proceeds to be donated directly to the charity, management said.
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In addition to financial donations, Tocaya Organica also will aid the selected nonprofits grow with co-branding efforts, in-store features and marketing content.
Nonprofits that place second and third during the quarterly competition each will receive a cash donation—$10,000 and $5,000 respectively— from the Tocaya Life Foundation to kickstart their campaigns and future fundraising efforts.
Known for pairing modern Mexican cuisine with high-quality ingredients, Tocaya Organica offers salads, tacos, bowls and burritos in a fast-casual setting, with a menu that accommodates vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dietary preferences. Founded in 2016, Tocaya Organica now has 15 locations including in El Segundo, La Jolla, Gaslamp-San Diego, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice, Playa Vista, Century City, El Segundo, Toluca Lake, downtown Los Angeles and Westwood. A new site is planned for Del Mar. Read more here on the restaurant.
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