July 19, 2011 Update: Due to a delay in receiving the decals for our Week 3 event, we’ll be switching the order of our Week 3 and Week 4 campaigns! Thanks for your continued interest and for helping SCNB support our armed forces and their families!

Annual event expanded to last entire month of July, highlights commitment to recognizing and appreciating those who serve

Cary, NC – Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® (SCNB) is proud to announce plans for the North Carolina-based restaurant brand’s annual “Freedom Week” campaign have been increased this year to last throughout the entire month of July, being dubbed “Freedom Month”. The event, held each summer around the July 4th holiday to recognize and appreciate those who serve our country domestically and abroad in the United States armed forces, will include four unique ways for fans of the restaurant brand to participate.

For 2011, the Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® Freedom Week campaign includes four signature events: the second annual Freedom Run 5K, a week-long online fundraising event to benefit Operation Homefront, a “Free Tea” week, and last, but certainly not least, a final week-long event during which a military family will win a “Coming Home” party prize pack for 20 people.

Week 1 – Freedom Run 5K – Wake Forest
Join Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q®, sponsors of the Freedom Run 5K, in Downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, July 2, 2011, at 8:00am to show your support for our veterans past and present and active military by participating in this family-friendly 5K competitive/recreational run. This year’s Freedom Run proceeds are going to the Fisher House, the Semper Fi Fund, and various other organizations that Wake Forest’s American Legion Auxiliary Unit 187 supports. Both the Fisher House and Semper Fi Fund are located at Camp Lejuene. Race details are available online at http://www.RunNC.com (under “Race Schedule”), or for more information, please contact Anne at 5kfreedomrun@gmail.com.

Week 2 – Photo Fundraiser Event – Online
Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q’s fundraising efforts for the 2011 Freedom Month campaign will focus on military families. In conjunction with Operation Homefront of North Carolina (http://www.OHFNC.org), Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® will donate $1.00 for every picture posted on the SCNB facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/SCNBNC) of a loved one serving in the armed forces overseas or posted to twitter (http://www.twitter.com) with the hashtag #GratefultoServe.

Week 3 – We Support Our Troops – 32 North Carolina Locations
Customers who visit one of Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q®‘s 32 North Carolina locations (http://www.scnbnc.com/locations.php) between Monday, July 18, 2011 and Sunday, July 24, 2011 will receive a “Support Our Troops” decal (pictured at right) with a peel-off coupon on the back for a free gallon of SCNB’s famous sweet iced tea.

Week 4 – Nominate a Military Family to Receive a 20-Person “Coming Home” Party Pack – Online
Visitors to http://www.SCNBNC.com are encouraged to submit a brief nomination or story about a military family they know who has a family member deployed overseas. Each day, Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® will share a few of the best submissions online (anonymously, if requested by the submitting party) and on July 31, 2011, one submission will be selected, at random, to receive a 20-person “Coming Home” party pack, which includes five pints of bar-b-q, 30 pieces of fried chicken, five pints of cole slaw, five pints of potato salad, 10 dozen hushpuppies, two gallons of tea, and place settings for 20 guests.

“Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q has a longstanding, rich history of being ‘grateful to serve’,” says Richard Averitte, Marketing Director for Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q. “Especially when it comes to serving, supporting, recognizing, and appreciating the tireless work of the men and women who serve our country here and abroad. That recognition and appreciation extends to their families, as well – they are the frontline of support for members of our armed forces and we are grateful for the sacrifices they continue to make every day.”

For more information on Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q®, please visit http://www.SCNBNC.com, visit the brand’s facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SCNBNC, or stay updated with tweets from @SCNBNC on twitter (http://www.twitter.com/SCNBNC).

About Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q
Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q has a 40-year history of 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