4R Restaurant Group Announces Launch of Black Youth Scholarship Program
4R Black Youth Scholarships will provide several scholarships annually

Winter Park, Fla. – September 28, 2021 – 4R Restaurant Group, operator of numerous award-winning restaurants including 4 Rivers Smokehouse and The COOP, has launched a new inaugural scholarship program to help make higher education more affordable for Black students in Florida.

“A commitment to serving the community has always been at the heart of our company” said John Rivers, Founder/CEO of 4R Restaurant Group.  “We’re elated to further this commitment by announcing the launch of the 4R Black Youth Scholarship Program created to foster hope and open doors for aspiring students by way of financial support. We hope this Scholarship blesses not only students but inspires other Florida businesses to invest in their communities to change the lives of the families they serve.”

In partnership with Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), the inaugural 4R Black Youth Scholarship Program was formally announced during an OCPS Board Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 28.

The money funding the scholarship is raised from collecting a percentage of each purchase made on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at any 4R Restaurant Group restaurant. This year $20k was raised for the scholarship program, and 4R Restaurant Group is committed to continue raising for the years to come.

Schools receiving this scholarship include:

  • Foundation for Orange County Public Schools $5,000
  • Bethune-Cookman University $5,000
  • FAMU $5,000
  • Valencia College $5,000

Perspective recipients can apply for the scholarship through the college or university’s office of financial aid. Inaugural scholarship recipients will be announced during the Fall 2021 semester.

For more information, visit 4RSmokehouse.com.

ABOUT 4R RESTAURANT GROUP

Established in Winter Park, Fla. in 2009, 4 Rivers Smokehouse is a family-owned “Barbecue Ministry” specializing in 30-day aged Smoked Angus Brisket, Homestyle Sides and John Rivers Originals. Voted “Best BBQ in the South” by Southern Living Magazine, 4 Rivers is led by Founder/CEO John Rivers, who strives to support the local community through exceptional products, steadfast customer service and uncompromised integrity.

4R Restaurant Group has 22 locations in Florida, including thirteen current 4 Rivers Smokehouses, 4R Cantina Barbacoa at Disney Springs; four 4 Rivers walkup venues at ESPN Wide World of Sports; as well as eateries at Camping World Stadium, Spectrum Stadium and Doak Campbell Stadium. Also part of the 4R family is The COOP, a neighborhood restaurant in Winter Park celebrating the homestyle fare of the South.  4 Rivers Smokehouse sauces and signature rubs are also available for purchase in Publix stores throughout the Southeast.