The Philadelphia chain partners with Broad Street Ministry on Rooster Soup Co.
The owners of Federal Donuts, a five-unit doughnut-and-fried-chicken chain with a cult following in Philadelphia, have partnered with Broad Street Ministry on a new restaurant with a philanthropic mission.
The restaurant, Rooster Soup Co., is slated to open in the heart of Philadelphia on Jan. 23. All profits will go to the Broad Street Ministry’s Hospitality Collaborative, which provides meals and other services to Philadelphians.
The idea came from the many chicken backs and other parts left over after Federal Donuts processes its own chicken.
Steven Cook, one of five partners in Federal Donuts, said they thought of opening a chicken soup stall. But they found a prime piece of real estate a few blocks from Philadelphia’s posh Rittenhouse Square, City Hall and central business district, with lots of foot traffic, so they decided to expand the menu.
Meanwhile, Cook became a board member of the Broad Street Ministry and was “blown away by their approach,” which is to treat the people who use their services as guests.
“You come in; you’re greeted by a host; you’re seated at a table,” Cook said. “A volunteer waitstaff serves you a three-course meal prepared by a professional chef; you’re invited to linger for as long as you want,” and you’re also offered a variety of other social services that are provided onsite.
“It’s about feeding people, but it’s also about bringing people back from a place where they’re lacking in basic human interactions, which are so important for living a stable life,” Cook said.
A professional staff will run Rooster Soup Co., but all of the money will go to Broad Street Ministry.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]
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