Portillo’s, the restaurant chain known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, proudly announces the launch of the company’s donation program Portillo’s For Good. Through Portillo’s For Good, local and national non-profits can partner with the brand to assist in fundraising and support of charitable giving opportunities. 

As its first Portillo’s For Good brand-wide initiative, the company is partnering with the American Red Cross on the charitable program, Cake for a Cause. Timed to coincide with Valentine’s Day, Portillo’s is offering a limited-time menu item: Heart-Shaped Chocolate Cake ($14.99), a fun holiday spin on the brand’s iconic dessert. Portillo’s Chocolate Cakes are baked fresh each morning, using a proprietary recipe. 

Available in restaurants from February 10-14, a portion of proceeds from the sale of Heart-Shaped Cakes – up to $25,000 – will be donated to the relief organization. The Heart-Shaped Chocolate Cakes are also available for pre-order beginning Tuesday, January 17; customers can reserve the sweet treat by calling 866-YUM-BEEF or ordering online at www.portillos.com. 

“Portillo’s has always valued the importance of belonging to the local community and finding ways to support charitable endeavors,” says CEO Keith Kinsey. “As a Marine, our founder Dick Portillo has supported charitable giving to support our service men and women. It was a natural fit to partner with the American Red Cross in launching our Cake for a Cause and Portillo’s for Good programs.” 

“Supporting military families has been part of the Red Cross mission from the beginning,” says Celena Roldan, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois. “Our founder wrote handwritten letters to families of soldiers to help keep them informed of their status. The Red Cross continues to carry on this mission through our Service to the Armed Forces programming, which helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to, the challenges of military service. We are honored to partner with Portillo’s to advance this work and we are so grateful for their continued contribution.” 

Organizations interested in participating in Portillo’s For Good can apply online: at portillos.com/good. For more information on the company, please visit www.portillos.com or follow Portillo’s on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 

About Portillo’s 

In 1963, Dick Portillo invested $1,100 into a small trailer to open the first Portillo’s hot dog stand in Villa Park, IL, which he called “The Dog House.” 54 years later, Portillo’s has grown to include restaurants in more than 40 locations across several states. Portillo’s is best known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads and famous chocolate cake. The Portillo’s brand also includes Barnelli’s restaurants that serve award-winning ribs, pastas with homemade sauces, and fresh sandwiches, soups, and salads. Portillo’s ships food to all 50 states via Portillos.com. Portillo’s Home Kitchen is the company’s fast-growing catering business. 

About the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois 

The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois serves 9.5 million people in 21 counties including Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at redcross.org/il/chicago or visit us on Twitter @ChicagoRedCross.