Red Robin Teams Up with Law Enforcement for Ninth Annual Tip-A-Cop Fundraiser to Benefit Special Olympics

Uniformed officers to wait tables at participating Red Robin restaurants nationwide

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Sep 29, 2014, 10:00 ET

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., Sept. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- There's a new server in town! This October, law enforcement officers across the country will trade their ticket books for order pads and unite at Red Robin^® restaurants* to serve guests for a special cause. Red Robin's ninth annual Tip-A-Cop^® events will take place on Saturday Oct. 11, 18 and 25 between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 pm., at more than 350 restaurants in 36 states. Law enforcement officers will volunteer their time as servers alongside Red Robin's wait staff to collect tips from guests to raise funds for their local Special Olympics programs.

"Red Robin is proud to continue the tradition of partnering with local law enforcement personnel and Coca-Cola for our Tip-A-Cop events," said Denny Marie Post, Red Robin's senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "Red Robin is all about supporting the communities we serve and with the help of our loyal guests, to date, officers have raised more than $2.7 million and generated tremendous public awareness for Special Olympics programs throughout the country."

Tip-A-Cop is part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) campaign in support of Special Olympics. LETR is supported by more than 100,000 law enforcement officers worldwide who help raise money and public awareness for Special Olympics. As the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics, LETR funds raised go directly to local programs in states or countries where the funds are generated.

"Our annual Red Robin Tip-A-Cop events give us a chance to show the community the incredible bond law enforcement has with Special Olympics," said Michael Teem, executive director, Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. "The tremendous level of law enforcement and community support, and the unparalleled generosity from Red Robin and Coca-Cola, are what make these events so successful."

In less than 10 years, Tip-A-Cop events at Red Robin restaurants have raised more than $2.7 million to support both Special Olympics and the mission of inclusion and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities. This funding continues to support year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports throughout the United States.

For a complete list of upcoming Tip-A-Cop events at Red Robin restaurants, please visit www.redrobin.com/specialolympics. To learn more about Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and to find a restaurant location near you, please visit www.redrobin.com.

*At participating restaurants only.

About Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB)
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (www.redrobin.com), a casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1969 that operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Red Robin International, Inc., is the Gourmet Burger Authority™, famous for serving more than two dozen craveable, high-quality burgers with Bottomless Steak Fries^® in a fun environment welcoming to guests of all ages. In addition to its many burger offerings, Red Robin serves a wide variety of salads, soups, appetizers, entrees, desserts and signature Mad Mixology^® Beverages. Red Robin offers a variety of options behind the bar, including its extensive selection of local and regional beers, and innovative adult beer shakes and cocktails, recently earning the restaurant the 2014 VIBE Vista Award for Best Beer Program in a Multi-Unit Chain Restaurant. There are more than 500 Red Robin restaurants across the United States and Canada, including Red Robin Burger Works^® locations and those operating under franchise agreements. Red Robin… YUMMM^®! Connect with Red Robin on Facebook and Twitter.

About Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics
Celebrating its 33^rd anniversary in 2014, the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) for Special Olympics is the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle, encompassing a variety of events including Torch Runs, Polar Plunge® events and the World's Largest Truck Convoy® fundraiser. More than 100,000 international law enforcement officers have carried the Flame of Hope™ to the Opening Ceremonies of local and state/provincial Special Olympics competitions and Games, and Special Olympics World Summer or Winter Games. The LETR is now present in all 50 U.S. states, 12 Canadian provinces and 46 nations around the world. In 2013 the LETR raised more than US$46 million for Special Olympics Programs around the world and has raised nearly US$500million since its inception in 1981. Learn more at www.letr.org.

About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. Special Olympics empowers people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 4.4 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 81,000 games and competitions throughout the year. Special Olympics is supported by individuals, foundations and partners. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage on: twitter@specialolympics, fb.com/specialolympics, youtube.com/specialolympicshq, instagram.com/specialolympics and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.

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SOURCE Red Robin International, Inc.