Story & Lesson Highlights with Andrew Glantz

Andrew Glantz shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Andrew, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
One of the most surprising things I’ve learned is just how eager people are to give back when you make it easy and meaningful. When we first launched GiftAMeal, I expected some participation, but I didn’t anticipate the depth of emotional connection guests would form with the program. We’ve had users tell us they specifically chose a restaurant because it was on GiftAMeal, or that taking a photo and donating a meal became a tradition for their family. It’s amazing to see how something as simple as snapping a picture can spark a genuine moment of purpose and turn an everyday meal into an opportunity to make a real difference.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Andrew Glantz, and I founded GiftAMeal. GiftAMeal is a socially conscious marketing platform that helps restaurants give back to their communities. When a guest takes a photo of their food at a participating restaurant, we make a monetary donation to a local food bank to help provide a meal to someone in need. It’s a simple action with a big impact.

What makes GiftAMeal unique is how we’ve woven giving back directly into the dining experience, turning everyday moments into meaningful ones. We’ve now provided over 2.5 million meals! I’m passionate about building solutions that create win-wins for businesses and their communities, and I’m constantly inspired by how much good can come from a single photo.

Plus, we’ve seen a big business benefit too for our partner restaurants where guests return 39% more frequently and tip 32% more after using GiftAMeal since they really develop a sense of emotional connection with the restaurant.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One moment that really shaped how I see the world was when I volunteered as a camp counselor at Camp Harmony, a sleepaway camp for underprivileged children. I was in high school, working with five and six-year-olds, and while they were cute and full of energy, some of the conversations we had stuck with me differently and are still conversations I think about today. Hearing kids that young talk about food insecurity or not knowing when their next meal would be was heartbreaking. That experience opened my eyes to the daily challenges so many families face, and it stuck with me. It helped shape my desire to build something that could make giving back easier and more impactful, and that spark eventually became GiftAMeal.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, I would say: stay focused on what you love and trust that making a positive impact is always worth the effort. There will be challenges and doubts along the way, but if you keep your mission at the forefront of everything you do, then the journey will be meaningful, and the impact will follow. Don’t be afraid to take risks and follow your passion; it’s worth it.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the restaurant and cause-marketing industry tells you is that success is only about immediate sales or quick returns. Too often, businesses focus solely on short-term numbers and forget that building long-term relationships, loyalty, and community impact are just as important, if not more so. Another misconception is that giving back has to be complicated or costly; GiftAMeal proves that when you make it simple and integrated into everyday actions, generosity flows naturally. Shifting this mindset is key to creating sustainable success that benefits everyone.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people take the profit-with-a-purpose model of what I’ve built with GiftAMeal to inspire new social ventures that can make an impact for both businesses and their communities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.giftameal.com
• Instagram: giftameal
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/andrewjglantz
• Twitter: giftameal
• Facebook: giftameal