Burger 8, a Miami burger-joint was surprised when celebrity chef and television personality, Aarón Sánchez showed up at their restaurant Wednesday morning.
Sanchez arrived at Burger 8’s Calle Ocho restaurant ready to change, owner and operator, Jesus Daza’s day. Together Aarón Sánchez and PepsiCo’s Juntos Crecemos program donated $10,000 to the Miami-based restaurant, as Miami’s IMPACTO grantee.
Burger 8 was affected heavily by COVID-19, as one of its co-founders passed away due to the virus. Daza made it his mission to keep the restaurant open, to honor his brother’s dreams. Working with his two sons over the last year, Daza is honoring his brother every customer at a time.
PepsiCo started the Juntos Crecemos program, which translates to, Together We Grow, with the hopes to strengthen many Hispanic-owned businesses after the pandemic. The PepsiCo Foundation launched IMPACTO Hispanic Business Accelerotated, to help provide $10 million to many Hispanic-owned restaurants in 13 cities across the United States. The platform plans to give out $50 million over the next five years.
Burger 8 was part of the first 150 IMPACTO grants, where 150 restaurants nationwide received $10,000. Other recipients of the first round of grants include La Peña Restaurante in Chicago, De Mi Fogón in Houston, Cuernavaca's Grill in Los Angeles and Claudy's Kitchen in the Bronx.
It is important now more than ever to support the small businesses and restaurants in our city like this. Be sure to check out Burger 8, which is located at 1551 SW 8th Street.