Carl’s Jr. restaurants across Southern California are offering $1 meal deals to people impacted by the federal government shutdown.
The initiative was launched on November 1 by Akash Management LLC, which operates hundreds of Carl’s Jr. locations in the region.
Newsweek contacted Carl’s Jr. via email on Friday outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
The federal government shutdown has become the longest in U.S. history, now stretching to its 38th day.
The shutdown has left Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in limbo, the federal program that provides around 42 million low- and no-income Americans with funds to buy groceries, leaving many vulnerable Americans without critical food assistance.
What To Know
Select Carl’s Jr. locations in Southern California run by Akash Management LLC are offering a $1 meal to affected people, which includes a kid’s hamburger, fries and fountain drink.
The offer can be redeemed by showing either a federal government employee ID, a military ID or a SNAP or EBT card.
The Daily Mail listed 137 participating Carl’s Jr. locations across Southern California, in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and Ventura County.
The offer appears to be a private-led initiative by Akash Management LLC.
It is separate from the Restaurant Meals Program, which is paid for by SNAP, and allows certain recipients—such as those who are elderly, disabled, or homeless—to buy prepared food at approved locations.
The offer comes following a flood of social media misinformation claiming that various restaurant chains are providing free meals to SNAP EBT recipients.
SNAP benefits have been disrupted by the ongoing federal government shutdown, leaving millions of low-income Americans at risk of missing their food assistance.
The Trump administration initially planned to provide only 65% of November’s benefits, prompting lawsuits from several states and nonprofit groups.
A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to fully restore payments using emergency funding, but the Justice Department is appealing the ruling.
What People Are Saying
Amir Siddiqi, the CEO of Akash Management LLC, a Carl’s Jr. franchise group, said in a statement, per FoodBeast: “Our commitment has always been to the neighborhoods we serve.
“We live here. We work here. We raise our families here. When our community is under stress, we feel it too. A warm meal at a fair price can offer a moment of comfort during uncertain times, and we believe that matters.”
What Happens Next
It remains unclear when SNAP benefits will be fully restored. In the meantime, local restaurants like Carl’s Jr. branches are stepping in with low-cost offers to help families bridge the gap.
