(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 20, 2010 ) Cary, NC – Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® (SCNB) has announced the results from its 2010 Freedom Week promotion – an annual campaign that the restaurant brand promotes each July celebrating our nation’s independence, while supporting members of the United States military. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q®’s Freedom Week 2010 began Friday, July 2nd, 2010 and lasted until Friday, July 9th, 2010.

So just how successful was this year’s Freedom Week campaign? The following is a look at this year’s campaign results:

Tweet for Troops
If you ask users of Twitter, the popular micro-blogging service, the 2010 Freedom Week campaign was a social media success. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® (@SCNBNC) measured 2,156 tweets and RTs (retweets) mentioning the trending topic of #FreedomWeek during the seven day campaign – netting a $215.60 donation to the Fort Bragg Soldiers and Family Assistance Center from the North Carolina restaurant brand.

Commemorative T-Shirts
Fundraiser t-shirts, were promoted at all Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q locations for $14.95, a portion of which benefitted the Fort Bragg Soldiers and Family Assistance Center. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® is proud to announce that $1,058.87 will be donated to the Warrior Transition Battalion and the Soldier and Family Assistance Center on behalf of this part of the 2010 Freedom Week campaign. Shirts can still be purchased online at http://scnbnc.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3 (and in select locations) for anyone who missed the opportunity earlier this summer. Martha Brown, of the Fort Bragg Soldiers and Family Assistance Center, notes that the nearly $1300 contribution from Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® will go a long way in supporting the Soldiers and Family Assistance Center, its morale programming, and other resources benefiting North Carolina soldiers.

2010 Freedom Run
Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® was proud to be a part of the inaugural 5k Freedom Run, hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary in Wake Forest, as a presenting sponsor. The run was held on Saturday, July 3rd, 2010, with proceeds supporting veterans past and present along with active military personnel. Anne Deal, race coordinator, reports that the run contributed nearly $3,000 for their cause and welcomed 182 race-day participants to Historic Downtown Wake Forest. “The Wounded Warrior Project at Ft. Bragg, The Fisher House at Ft. Bragg, and The Raleigh Vet Center will be receiving donations as a result of this event,” added Deal. “All three organizations assist current or retired military and their families and will be able to put these funds immediately to work. We are looking forward to planning our second run for next year!” Pictures from the event can be viewed on Smithfield Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q®’s flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/scnbnc/sets/72157624421074184/.

Military Rideshare
Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® also engaged their power of their fan base by spreading the word amongst fans of the popular NC bar-b-q brand about MilitaryRideShare.com. MilitaryRideShare.com is a free website that has been designed by a former Marine to provide a place for Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Soldiers to connect online for coordinating shared rides and travel. The program aims to save those making similar trips money on transportation costs. “I can’t express how appreciative I am that Smithfield’s invited us to be a part of this campaign. North Carolina, as a state, has the second highest number of military bases in the country, so this was a great opportunity for us to create exposure for our mission and we certainly have enjoyed seeing an increase in website traffic”, notes Jennifer McGillis, founder of MilitaryRideShare.com.

“Even as the economy has experienced some significant downturns and a slow recover over the past few years, our customers have always supported our goal of remaining ‘grateful to serve those who serve’”, says Richard Averitte, Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q®’s Marketing Director. “Every day we tell folks we have the best customers in the world - and their continued support year after year of our Freedom Week campaign further proves that to be true.”

For more information on the 5k Freedom Run, contact Anne Deal, race coordinator for the American Legion Auxiliary at littledeal@earthlink.net. For more information on the Fort Bragg Soldiers and Family Assistance Center, please contact Martha Brown at 910-643-6652. For more information on MilitaryRideShare.com, please visit http://www.MilitaryRideShare.com/.

For more information on the Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® brand, please visit http://www.SCNBNC.com/, http://www.WeShipBarBQ.com/, and http://www.Summerof20Tea.com/.

About Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q®
Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® / SCNB Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® has a 40-year history serving the finest fried chicken and Eastern-North-Carolina-style bar-b-q, made fresh daily from family recipes and served in a family-friendly atmosphere. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® has over 30 locations in North Carolina as well as an online store where BBQ can be ordered and shipped anywhere in the United States. Visit http://www.SCNBNC.com/ for more information or call 919-852-1742.

Contact: Richard Averitte, Marketing Director – Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q
Phone: 919-852-1722 Fax: 919-852-5268
Email: RAveritte@SCNBNC.com
Web: http://www.SCNBNC.com
Mail: P.O. Box 979 - Cary, NC 27512


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Contact Information:
Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q
Richard Averitte
Tel: 919-852-1722
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