UK Youth strengthens Burger King partnership with restaurant-goers now able to donate when they pay

UK Youth and corporate partner Burger King have teamed up with charity Pennies to raise money to support young people.

Pennies works with retailers and payment-providers to ask customers to donate small amounts to support charities – and now customers using kiosks at Burger King’s own restaurants across the country are being invited to donate to national youth work charity UK Youth.

Kerry Reid, UK Youth director of income generation and strategic communications, said: “We are extremely grateful for Burger King and Pennies’ support and it is brilliant to see that customers can now donate directly at the point of purchase.

“Youth work is life-changing and often live-saving, but far too many young people are denied access to it. This is despite research showing investment in youth work reaps long-term financial benefits through improved education and employment outcomes and positive impacts on mental health, and that young people who experience youth work become happier, healthier and wealthier adults than those who do not.

“That is why we are committed to ensuring all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives, by unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change needed now more than ever.

“Quality youth work provision can transform a young person’s life – as well as benefit the wider UK economy – so investment into the youth sector is vital to our country’s future.” 

UK Youth has partnered with Burger King since 2022, following research which highlighted how young people’s mental wellbeing was negatively impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and many were worried about securing employment.

As well as the kiosk donation points, cards are also appearing on tables at Burger King-owned restaurants on the country, highlighting the work of UK Youth, while customers will also hear a voiceover from 18-year-old #iwill ambassador Rowan Jones, urging people to donate.

The #iwill movement, which is backed by UK Youth, supports and empowers young people to make a positive difference on the issues that affect their lives and broader society.

Katie Evans, Burger King UK chief marketing officer, said: “We are incredibly proud to continue support such an important charity, in delivering life-changing services to young people across the UK.

 “We have worked with UK Youth since 2022 and are proud to extend our commitment to UK Youth through allowing customers to donate at our kiosks – this will extend the reach of the charity’s  life-changing work and support even more young people in the UK.”

Alison Hutchinson CBE, Pennies chief executive officer, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Burger King and UK Youth to help empower young people across the UK through Pennies micro-donations.

“At Pennies, we believe small acts of giving can make a big difference, and now Burger King customers have the chance to make a small donation each time they order at the kiosk. By joining forces, we’re enabling everyday donations to support vital services that help young people across the UK to thrive.

“A huge thank you to Burger King for their partnership and to their generous customers whose contributions will help create a lasting impact. We look forward to the months and years ahead, making impactful contributions together in our communities.”

Pennies worked with technology company Acrelec to enable the micro-donation option on Burger King kiosks across the UK.

Founded in 1954, the Burger KingURGER KING® brand is the second largest fast food hamburger chain in the world.  In November 2017 Bridgepoint reached an agreement with Burger King Europe GmbH, an affiliate of Restaurant Brands International Inc (RBI), to become the UK master franchisee of Burger King®, with exclusive rights to the brand in the UK. As a result, a new entity was created, BURGER KING® UK. To learn more about the BURGER KING® in the UK please visit burgerking.co.uk or follow BURGER KING on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

The BURGER KING® brand is owned by Restaurant Brands International Inc. (TSX,NYSE:QSR), one of the world’s largest quick service restaurant companies with more than $35 billion in system-wide sales and more than 29,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. 

Pennies is the leading UK charity working to enable, protect and grow micro-donations. We partner with businesses to support charities in need, offering people the chance to add a donation to their purchase when they pay digitally. Making giving simple, everyday. #microdonationsmatter.

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 9,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org 

UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes

#iwill is a movement comprised of more than 1,000 organisations and 700 young #iwill Ambassadors & Champions from across the UK. They are united by a shared belief that all children and young people should be supported and empowered to make a positive difference on the issues that affect their lives, their communities, and broader society.

#iwill is empowering, challenging, independent, collaborative and inclusive – it belongs to everybody.

The #iwill movement is powered by young people and organisations. The #iwill Ambassadors and #iwill Champions, alongside organisations who sign up to the Power of Youth Charter, help ensure meaningful action is taken to support more children and young people to be active citizens.

The #iwill Partnership is made up of leaders of collective action groups working within and across sectors and nations of the UK to guide the #iwill movement. The independent #iwill Coordination Hub, hosted by Volunteering Matters and UK Youth supports the #iwill Partnership, #iwill Ambassadors and broader #iwill movement.