FT. LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwired - March 09, 2015) - The Grilled Cheese Truck Inc. (the Company; GCT) (OTCQB: GRLD) announced today that in April 2015, it will begin a pilot program in a strategic partnership with The Orange County Rescue Mission in Tustin, California. The strategic partnership allows The Grilled Cheese Truck Inc. to set up a base of operations on the campus of The Orange County Rescue Mission, where their kitchen facilities and commissary are a perfect fit for the gourmet food truck's plans to test a pilot program in support of our US Veterans. This will be the first phase of a strategic initiative to establish operational bases in the rescue missions around the country that have similar facilities as those at the Orange County Rescue Mission.
"The Grilled Cheese Truck Inc. is honored to partner with The Orange Country Rescue Mission to initiate this remarkable pilot program that can help create jobs for veterans. It fulfills our organizations' common purposes -- to create lasting, positive change in our communities. For us, we know our company and brand are strengthened by hiring veterans. They meet our need to employ highly-qualified leaders and employees that have a penchant for excellent training, action-based logistics, and daily 'sorties' -- the critical stuff that makes a food truck run flawlessly," said Al Hodges, CEO of The Grilled Cheese Truck Inc.
The partnership will support The Orange County Rescue Mission's recent efforts to support local veterans, where their objective is to positively impact veterans' employment opportunities through a program that moves them to self-sufficiency. The rescue mission's efforts are a perfect match with The Grilled Cheese Truck's business objective for job creation and for veterans to become owner operators. Several months ago, to show support for veterans and the efforts being implemented by The Orange County Rescue Mission, The Grilled Cheese Truck Inc. made a significant donation in the form of a corporate tithe of common stock. This was the first meaningful gesture that established an ongoing effort by both organizations to achieve something more.
"This partnership is unprecedented for us, and we look forward to perfecting a model program with The Grilled Cheese Truck that can be replicated around the country in our network of rescue missions," said Jim Palmer, President of The Orange County Rescue Mission. "It represents a new paradigm in how a business can achieve a critical business imperative through a strategic alliance with a nonprofit -- in pursuit of a higher purpose," he added.
Peter Goldstein, President of The Grilled Cheese Truck Inc., said, "Our work with The Orange County Rescue Mission is a testament to our strident corporate social responsibility commitment. We strive to create the utmost value in our approach to impact investing with our corporate donation to the Rescue Mission and our pilot program will be a wonderful opportunity to effect great transformation through our combined Veteran-focused straetgies."
About The Orange County Rescue Mission
Established as a faith-based not-for-profit in 1963, The Orange County Rescue Mission has become one of Southern California's largest assistance organizations by following its mission: Feed. Clothe. Shelter. Heal. Empower. The Rescue Mission facilitates numerous programs that serve as a source of help to area residents in need, among them, providing 3,499 meals every day for a total of more than 1.2 million meals each year. To learn more, visit www.RescueMission.org.
About The Grilled Cheese Truck Inc.
The Grilled Cheese Truck, Inc. is an American entrepreneurial "emerging growth" company with a brand and menu that is widely followed throughout the nation within the Gourmet Food Truck Space. The company currently operates and licenses grilled cheese food trucks in the Los Angeles, CA area and Phoenix, AZ and is rolling out into additional markets with the goal of becoming the largest operator in the gourmet grilled cheese space. The Company is pursuing major "gates" of revenue (stadiums, universities, Casinos and related venues, festivals, motorsports, action sports, team sports, large outdoor events/concerts, large churches, schools, major employers, government offices, etc.) while building significant market share in the gourmet food truck industry. The company and brand maintain a growing following of customers, social media followers, and general media attention all attracted to The Grilled Cheese Truck's position in the rapidly growing industry. The Company is among the first movers in consolidating the Gourmet Grilled Cheese restaurant space with an aggressive strategic growth plan that includes significant and accretive acquisitions. Management has extensive experience and success in managing and growing large QSR companies. The Company seeks to franchise its Gourmet Grilled Cheese Trucks operations and intends to principally offer the first 100 franchised grilled cheese trucks to Veterans, having invested significant time and resources over the last 2 years to develop a business model that provides jobs, business opportunities and support for Veterans. For more information about The Grilled Cheese Truck Inc., please visit www.thegrilledcheesetruck.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release and of the management or representatives of The Grilled Cheese Truck, Inc. (the "Company") in connection therewith that relate to beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, intentions and future financial condition, results of operations or business performance constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations about future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts, and by words such as "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "expect," "project," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan" or other similar words or expressions. Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this press release may turn out to be inaccurate or wrong. This can occur as a result of inaccurate assumptions or as a consequence of significant known or unknown risks and uncertainties. The Company addresses these risks in the "Risk Factors" section of its filings with the SEC. Because of these risks and uncertainties, the Company's actual results may differ materially from those that might be anticipated from its forward-looking statements. Therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.