Press Release

Country Star Tim McGraw Partners With Outback During Thanks For Giving Effort

2/23/2011

SAN ANTONIO -- Today, Outback Steakhouse, a longtime supporter of U.S. military troops and their families, kicked off its second annual Thanks for Giving program by saying “thank you” to troops with a special visit at the Texas National Guard Armory in San Antonio.  Accompanied by country music star and longtime supporter of the troops, Tim McGraw, Outback used the day to give back as it announced its commitment to donate $1 million of proceeds from its Red, White, and Bloomin’ menu to Operation Homefront, a San Antonio-based national non-profit providing emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors.

“The sacrifices that our troops and their families make so we can enjoy the freedoms we have in the United States are something Outback Steakhouse has recognized and appreciated since we opened our doors 23 years ago,” said Jeff Smith, president of Outback Steakhouse.  “Outback’s commitment to once again donate $1 million to Operation Homefront, along with our visit to the Texas National Guard Armory, is a token of our thanks to those who give so much.”

Smith and McGraw accompanied Operation Homefront in fulfilling essential needs of several military families.  Through this effort, Outback had the chance to personally meet four of the families in San Antonio who receive assistance as a direct result of Operation Homefront’s ongoing support.  From housing that allows wounded-warriors to rehabilitate with their families to school supplies and holiday toys for military kids to funds to help cover unexpected expenses, gifts from Operation Homefront help military families in their transitions back to everyday life.  Smith and McGraw also visited one of Operation Homefront’s residential villages, surprising its residents with a special trip to their local Outback Steakhouse for dinner later that evening.  Finally, Outbackers took to the grills and prepared a plated lunch for 300 service members.

“I continue to be impressed by Outback Steakhouse’s longtime support of the troops,” said McGraw.  “I am honored to be involved with the second annual Thanks for Giving program which not only satisfies some major needs of troops and their families, but also helps raise awareness and funds to support our selfless servicemen and women.”

Created especially for Thanks for Giving 2011, the Red, White & Bloomin’ menu will be available in participating Outback restaurants between now and April 5.  Proceeds from this menu will help to meet Outback’s 2011 $1 million commitment to Operation Homefront.  Thanks for Giving allows restaurant-goers to express their appreciation to our country’s dedicated servicemen and women while enjoying new items such as a Chicken Artichoke Flatbread, Hearts of Gold Mahi and Strawberry Waffle Shortcake dessert, in addition to Outback favorites.  To view the menu, visit:  http://www.outback.com/menu/.

Supporters can join with Outback to say “thanks” to the troops and all military heroes on Outback’s Facebook page by posting notes and sharing photos of military heroes.  The Facebook page will also feature a new webisode which allows viewers to meet a few of the military families who have benefited from Outback’s 2010 $1 million donation to Operation Homefront.

Honoring the U.S. Military has always been a long standing priority for Outback Steakhouse, and since first opening in 1988, Outback has hosted military events and initiatives all over the country and abroad.  Included in Outback’s supportive efforts, along with Thanks for Giving, is their Operation Feeding Freedom initiative which sends teams of Outbackers to the frontlines to feed American troops stationed abroad.  Since 2002, more than 167,000 troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Turkey have been given a taste of home through this program.  

“The outpouring of support from Outback Steakhouse during the past 23 years has been tremendous,” said Brigadier General John Howard (Ret.).  “As a retired member of the U.S. Military, it means so much to see the folks from Outback doing so much to help our active and retired servicemen, women and their families.”

For more information about Thanks for Giving, please visit www.Outback.com.

About Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse was again voted #1 Best Steak in the 2010 Zagat Survey of National Full-Service Restaurant Chains for the second consecutive year.  Outback Steakhouse starts fresh every day to create the flavors that our mates crave. Best known for grilled steaks, chicken and seafood, Outback also offers a wide variety of crisp salads and freshly made soups and sides.  New creations and grilled classics are made from scratch daily using only the highest quality ingredients sourced from around the world. For more information, please visit Outback's Facebook page.

About Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors.  A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers across 23 chapters and has met more than 267,000 needs since 2002.  A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 95 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes to programs.

About Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw has sold over 40 million units and dominated the charts with 32 #1 singles, including his latest, “Felt Good On My Lips,” a bonus track from Number One Hits, his 2010 double CD collection. With 7.8 million spins at radio, he was the most-played artist of the past decade. Southern Voice, his most recent studio album, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and the title track hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Songs chart. His “Southern Voice” tour was the No. 1 country music tour of 2010. McGraw has won three GRAMMY® awards, 14 Academy of Country Music awards, 11 Country Music Association awards, 10 American Music awards, three People’s Choice awards and numerous other awards. Also an accomplished actor, McGraw co-starred with Gwyneth Paltrow, Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester in Screen Gems’ Country Strong.  His other films include The Blind Side (2009), which was nominated for an Academy Award, Four Christmases (2008), The Kingdom (2007), Flicka (2006) and Friday Night Lights (2004). For more information visit Tim McGraw's official Web site.