Serve your neighbors. Get reimbursed for every meal.
Pay It Forward sends neighbors who need a meal to local restaurants, starting in the greater Phoenix area and open to restaurants anywhere in the US. Donors fund the meals; you serve them and get reimbursed. It costs nothing to join.
What you need to know
The short version of what owners ask us before they decide.
How it works at the counter
A neighbor reserves a meal at your restaurant and shows a meal code. Your staff enter the code, or tap it on Today's meals, and serve the meal. That's it.
What you serve
A complete meal you choose, the same food you already make. During onboarding we confirm the meal and your reimbursement rate with you.
Getting paid
You're reimbursed for every meal you serve, through Stripe payouts to your bank account. You can follow meals served and payouts in Partner settings.
What it costs you
Nothing to join. Donors fund the meals, and you're never asked to donate food.
Every neighbor is a guest
No one shows ID or proves need. Neighbors who reserve a meal are guests, served like any other customer.
Counter tablet (optional)
For walk-in neighbors without a phone, a tablet on your counter lets them reserve a meal right there. It's optional, and you can add it later.
Steps to go live
We walk through each step with you, and email you as you go. You can check where you are any time.
Step 1: Apply
A short form about your restaurant, the meal you'd serve and your hours.
Step 2: Intro call
We talk through your meal, your reimbursement rate, your hours and how the counter works.
Step 3: Partner agreement
Sign the partner agreement, so we both know what to expect.
Step 4: Payouts set up
We email you a secure Stripe link to connect your bank account, so you can be reimbursed.
Step 5: Staff added
Add the people who will check meal codes. Each gets their own login.
Step 6: Training
A short session with our team on Today's meals and entering a meal code, so your staff know the counter steps before your first real meal.
Step 7: Live
Neighbors can find your restaurant and reserve meals there.
After launch: 30-day check-in
We check in after your first 30 days: how your first meals went, what's working and what to change.
What you'll need
We're starting in the greater Phoenix area, and restaurants and community partners anywhere in the US can apply.
A current food permit for your location.
A complete meal you're glad to serve, the same food you already make.
Someone on each shift who can check meal codes on a phone, tablet or computer.
A bank account for payouts, connected through Stripe after you're approved.
Questions restaurants ask
No. It costs nothing to join Pay It Forward. Donors fund the meals, and you're reimbursed for every meal you serve. You're never asked to donate food.
We confirm your meal and your reimbursement rate with you during onboarding, before you serve your first Pay It Forward meal.
Through Stripe payouts to your bank account. After you're approved, we email you a secure Stripe link to connect your account once, and you can follow meals served and payouts in Partner settings.
A complete meal you choose, like a plate or combo you already make. We agree on it together during onboarding.
They show a short meal code on their phone or on paper. Your staff enter the code, or find it on Today's meals and tap it, then serve the meal. No ID or proof of need is asked for.
An optional counter tablet lets walk-in neighbors reserve a meal right at your counter. Community partners such as shelters and outreach teams also pick up meals and bring them to people who are hard to reach by phone.
It depends on the neighbors near you and the meals donors fund. On your application you tell us about how many meals a day you could serve, and we plan with you from there.
It depends on how quickly the steps come together: the intro call, the agreement, payouts, adding staff and a short training. We email you at each step, and you can check your status online any time.
Yes. Choose "Both" when you apply if you also want to pick up meals for your own outreach, like a church meal or a street team you support.
Ready to serve your neighbors?
Applying is free and takes one short form. Rather talk first? Send us a note and we'll get back to you.
Run a shelter, outreach team or food bank instead? See community partners.
Want to see the bigger picture first? How restaurants, community partners and donors work together.