Latest news with #kidsmenu
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Kindness On The Menu: What Brands Can Learn From La La Land x Mickey & Friends Collaboration
As back-to-school nerves set in and the emotions of returning to the playground run high in many households, compassion becomes more than a virtue, it becomes essential. One U.S.-based coffee chain has embedded it into its brand DNA from the start, in a way that feels genuine, timely, and commercially astute. This week, La La Land Kind Café just announced its first-ever Kids' Menu, created in partnership with Disney's Mickey & Friends and rolling out across its 23 locations in Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and Nashville from August 19. On paper, it's a lighthearted collaboration: mini drinks in pastel colours, petite slices of toast, and a Pluto-inspired pup cup for four-legged friends. In practice, it's a masterclass in how to align product, purpose, and cultural moment. The brand already stands apart for more than its signature yellow cups. La La Land's founding purpose is to promote kindness and community while supporting young people transitioning out of the foster care system, not through charity alone, but by providing paid internships, mentorship, and long-term skills. It's a 'teach a person to fish' philosophy that has built both loyalty and a strong, values-led narrative. At the heart of La La Land Kind Café is founder and CEO François Reihani, a social entrepreneur whose vision stretches far beyond foam art and Instagrammable 'normalize kindness' mugs. Reihani's journey began at 20 with a successful restaurant in Dallas, but his real calling emerged when he attended a meeting with CASA and heard firsthand the challenges faced by youth aging out of foster care. Moved by those stories, he launched the 'We Are One Project' in 2017 and then, in 2019, opened the first café as a training ground for mentorship, paid internships, housing support, therapy, and life skills. His goal? Not merely to employ, but to empower and to design a business so replicable another brand could copy it for good. His philosophy is simple but powerful: growth matters only if it starts with heart. By bringing Mickey & Friends into that space, the café is tapping into something both nostalgic and universal: the comfort of familiar characters, the reassurance of a safe and friendly place, and the shared joy of treating children to an experience that feels special but accessible. For parents, it's an easy 'yes' the coffee is for them, the fun is for their children, and the brand ethos feels good to support. The timing is no accident. Back-to-school season is emotionally loaded, particularly for younger children and their families. It's a moment when the tone of the year is being set and when messages about kindness, inclusion, and friendship have maximum resonance. In the United States, one in five students report being bullied, according to PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. Brands that understand the emotional context of this season, and respond with genuine, values-driven initiatives, create not just transactions but trust. The campaign also integrates exclusivity and share-ability, from the limited-edition Mickey & Friends reusable coffee cups for the first 300 guests at each location on August 22, to 'Be Kind' tote bags and plush toys, to QR-code-enabled in-store displays at select sites. It's a reminder that while purpose is the heart of the offer, retail theatre still matters: people want a reason to show up, stay, and share the experience. In a marketplace where brands often overcomplicate 'purpose', La La Land has kept it simple: a clear value (kindness), a tangible action (mentorship and support for foster youth), and an activation that appeals to multiple audiences without diluting the core message. The Disney partnership amplifies the reach but doesn't overpower the brand's identity and in the process, creates a blueprint for how other businesses can show up in culturally relevant ways. Because kindness is not seasonal. But at a time of year when young people are negotiating new friendships, new routines, and new challenges, it's worth remembering that brands can do more than sell. They can help set the tone, one coffee, one conversation, and one act of kindness at a time.
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Here's where kids can eat for free over the summer holidays
With the summer holidays just around the corner, you might be on the lookout for activities to keep the family busy. There are few things as special as a delicious meal with your family, but costs can quickly add up. That's why we've compiled a list of the restaurants, cafes and supermarkets where your kids can eat for free or for a reduced price during the school summer holidays. However, view the term 'free' with some suspicion. Most locations require you to purchase an adult meal in order to get your child's meal for free. With this in mind, we've also done some digging to find out how much an adult meal costs so you can estimate your total bill. Whether it's a coffee break in the middle of your weekly shop or a lunchtime pizza treat, there is a range of cuisines and options that suit different budgets. As you plan a day out, don't forget to check our list below to see where your kids can eat free or for £1 this summer. Where can kids eat for free or £1 this summer: Free kids buffet at Pizza Hut Pizza Hut's lunchtime deal includes one free kids' buffet when you spend more than £10 at the restaurant. Using the code KEF1 when you book will secure you the freebie, which you can redeem from Monday 21 July to Thursday 4 September, up until 3pm each day. Kids can choose from a variety of pizza, pasta and salad options, so there's plenty for even the pickiest eaters. If your kids love pizza and pasta, you can get a free piccolo meal (aka the restaurant's kids' menu) when you order any main course from the standard menu. The offer runs from Monday 28 July to Sunday 10 August, so it isn't around for as long as others. Kids receive dough balls to start, a pizza, pasta or salad as a main, plus a dessert and bambinoccino. Keep in mind that if you're going as a group, you'll only get one free kids' meal per adult at the table. A classic margherita at a Pizza Express in London costs £12.25, so you won't need to spend too much to make the most of the offer. Free kids' meal at Prezzo Children up to 12 years old can get three courses from Prezzo's kids menu for free, with the purchase of one adult main meal from Monday 14 July to Friday 5 September. Kids can tuck into a starter, main and dessert with fried mozzarella, bolognese, pepperoni pizza, and lots mor e. A kids' meal at the Italian restaurant chain usually costs around £8.50, so you can make a decent saving with this offer. An adult meal will cost you £15 upwards, depending on the location. Free kids' meal at Bill's Whether it's a stack of buttermilk pancakes for breakfast or a bowl of meatball pasta for lunch, children can tuck into a free meal at Bill's this summer. Up to two kids can eat for free if one adult orders any main, so this beats most restaurants, which offer one free kids' meal per adult. The offer is valid all day from Monday 21 July to Friday 29 August, excluding weekends. Adults can get avocado on sourdough for around £11.25 or a Greek salad for £13.95, so you're looking at spending around £20 as a group of three, once you add on a service charge. Free kids' meal at Ask Italian When you sign up for Ask Italian's rewards app, you'll get a code that entitles you to two free kids' meals with the purchase of an adult meal. Kids can pick from carbonara, pizza, chicken goujons, and more, so there's plenty to cater to different tastes. The offer is valid from Friday 18 July to Sunday 31 August, so it can be used throughout most of the summer holidays. Free kids' meal at Las Iguanas You can save all year round at Las Iguanas, not just during the summer holidays. Kids eat free when you download the Las Iguanas app and can choose from quesadillas, coconut curry, guacamole and more. The cheapest main at the restaurant is the rainbow salad for £14, so even with a drink, your bill could come to less than £20. French-inspired cuisine might not be top of your child's list, but Côte Brasserie has options for little gourmands, such as steak frites or French onion soup, as well as classic comforts like tomato pasta bake and burgers. Parents have from Friday 18 July to Monday 1 September to redeem the offer and need to order a main to get the free two-course kids' meal. The cheapest main at a Côte Brasserie restaurant in London is a chicken salad, for £14.95. Free kids' meal at Subway For lunch on the go, head to Subway, where kids can enjoy a free meal when you buy a footlong sandwich. These can start from around £8.49, depending on the branch. The kids' meal includes a 4in mini sandwich, snack and drink. The offer is available in participating Subway restaurants from Monday 28 July to Sunday 17 August. £1 kids' meal at Asda cafes Asda's £1 cafe meal deal runs all year round, and you won't need to buy an adult meal or spend a certain amount to use the offer. Kids can choose from pasta with meatballs, chicken nuggets, fish fingers or pizza, and they'll receive a free piece of fruit with their hot meal. Babies don't have to miss out either, with the supermarket offering a free Ella's baby food pouch for children up to 18 months with any cafe purchase. Free kids' meal at Morrisons cafes When you spend £5 or more on an adult's meal at a Morrisons cafe at any point in the year, not just the summer holidays, you'll also get a free kids' meal for those under 16 years. If your child is picky, they can build their own breakfast or main meal, and they'll get a drink included too. Two adult meals with a drink each cost £15 in total, so if you're a family of four, you can all eat at Morrison's cafe for just £15. Free kids' meal at Tesco cafes and coffee shops You can spend as little as 65p on a piece of fresh fruit at a Tesco cafe or coffee shop this summer, and you'll be able to claim one free kids' meal worth up to £4 when you use your Clubcard. Breakfast options for little ones include pancakes and beans on toast, while the lunch menu has fish fingers, chicken goujons and tomato pasta shells with garlic bread. The offer is valid in England and Wales from Monday 21 July to Friday 29 August; in Scotland from Thursday 7 July to Friday 22 August; and in Northern Ireland from Monday 30 June to Friday 29 August. £1 kids' meal at Dobbies garden centre Take a break from garden centre shopping this summer with Dobbies's offer. Kids can get a meal for just £1 when you buy a traditional adult breakfast or main course lunch option, both of which start from around £9. Kids can choose from cooked breakfasts, jacket potatoes, fish fingers, pasta and more. Some Dobbies restaurants also have soft play areas, so you can relax while they play. Free kids' meal at Heathrow airport If you're flying from Heathrow airport this summer, there are restaurants across the airport's terminals where kids eat for free. When you spend £14.95 or more on an adult meal at a participating restaurant, such as Leon or Giraffe, you'll get one free meal from the restaurant's children's menu. You can claim a maximum of four free kids' meals per table, and the offer can be used all through summer from Friday 18 July to Tuesday 2 September.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Restaurant's bizarre requirement sparks fiery debate about adults ordering off the kids' menu
Who knew that kids menus could come with such intense restrictions? That's exactly what TikTok user @ discovered when she went to place a phone order for an Italian restaurant her and her family eat at pretty often. In a now-viral TikTok video, she explained that after putting in the order for her and her husband she asked for the spaghetti and meatballs off of the designated kids' menu for her eight-year-old daughter. But she was told by the restaurant that she wasn't allowed to get anything off the children's section over the phone because the eatery couldn't verify whether or not it was actually for a youngster - and it sparked a massive debate. 'So I order it and they tell me that they don't take orders for kids' spaghetti and meatballs over the phone because they think it's adults buying the spaghetti and meatballs kids' portion and eating it themselves,' the woman said. 'So you can only [get] kids' spaghetti and meatballs if you eat at the restaurant.' She ended the video by posing the question, 'Is this normal?' and social media users definitely had thoughts. Many people flocked to the comment section to share their thoughts, launching a fiery argument about whether or not restaurants should require confirmation that kids' meals are for kids. 'Not normal and frankly asinine,' one TikTok user said of the restaurant's rule. 'Never heard of a restaurant doing this,' another chimed in. A different user commented: 'That's so odd. If I'm buying something, then I don't need to be questioned. If you don't want my money... bye.' Other users pointed out that even if it was an adult ordering off the kids' menu it wasn't hurting the restaurant in any way. 'Kids portions are less money because they are smaller portions and or less expensive food groups,' one said. 'So there should be no business reason for them caring if an adult eats it.' Another TikTok user wrote: 'I'm so confused? Who cares who eats the kids meal? You are paying less because it's a smaller portion. 'Some elderly people needs kids portions as well. That's crazy business.' It launched a fiery argument about whether or not restaurants should require confirmation that kids' meals are for kids Some users even suggested that she cancel the order Very few users explained that allowing adults to eat off of a kid's menu would be bad for business Some users even added that the poster should have canceled her order immediately. 'Please tell me you said, "Cool cancel the entire order,"' one user wrote, to which the original poster replied, 'They offered me the option of getting a side of spaghetti and adding a meatball. So dumb.' 'A sale is a sale - you don't want to sell me a kids meal, I'll go somewhere else. Simple,' another user offered. And while most comments mirrored similar sentiments, there were a select few who didn't find an issue with the restaurant's policy. 'Kid menus are usually a financial loss for the restaurant. The menus exist to entice in families,' one person offered. 'TikTok has normalized adults purchasing kids portions so I kinda get their reasoning but they should know when to enact this 'policy' and it's not when someone is ordering other stuff,' another said.
