News

Tocaya Organica launches charitable arm

August 20, 2019

Southern-California's Tocaya Organica has launched a charitable arm dedicated to social and environmental causes. The Tocaya Life Foundation will take on sustainability, alternative farming and ocean preservation, according to a company press release. In line with the foundation's debut, the chain is launching "Wave Tank" in October as part of its ongoing mission to align with nonprofit organizations that share a commitment to the environment and bettering our planet.

Similar to the concept of "Shark Tank," Tocaya will invite three nonprofits each quarter to pitch a panel comprised of the company's executives — President Mikey Tanha, CEO and co-founder Tosh Berman, COO Rudy Sugueti,  Foundation Manager Jordan Yorn and CMO Matt Smith — on why it should partner with their companies. The first-place winner of Wave Tank will be named as the restaurant's official partner for the upcoming quarter, during which the two companies will work together to create new dishes for Tocaya Organica or select an existing menu item, with a portion of its proceeds to be donated directly to the charity, according to the release. 

President Michael Mikey Tanha, CEO and Co-Founder Tosh Berman, Chief Marketing Officer Matt Smith, have created the Tocaya Life Foundation.

In addition to financial donations, Tocaya Organica will also help the nonprofit grow from co-branding efforts, in-store features and marketing content. Nonprofits that place second and third during the quarterly competition will each receive a cash donation — $10,000 and $5,000 respectively — rewarding each organization with a substantial monetary investment from Tocaya Life Foundation to kickstart their campaign and future fundraising efforts, Berman said in the release.

"As a vegan-first, California-based brand, the environment is monumentally important to us, so we put our heads together to think outside the box to come up with specific and immediate ways that we can give back," he said. " We are eager to launch Tocaya Life Foundation's Wave Tank and begin working with innovative companies that share the same passion as Tocaya Organica for making the world a better place for ourselves and for future generations."

In addition to Wave Tank, Tocaya Life Foundation has plans to launch several other initiatives later this year, both in the restaurants and internally as a company, such as Heart of the House, bringing waste and sustainability conversations to back-of-house operations; Round Up for Charity, rounding up a guest's check by adding change that is given to a charitable organization, and Service Time Off, an employee benefit allowing the team to take pride in serving the cause and getting out in the field, according to the release.

Pairing modern Mexican cuisine with the highest-quality ingredients and bold flavors, Tocaya Organica offers chef-driven salads, tacos, bowls and burritos. It operates 15 locations in La Jolla, San Diego, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice, Playa Vista, Century City, El Segundo, Westwood, Scottsdale and more.