LAWRENCE, Kan. – October 6, 2025 – Family-friendly wing spot Jefferson’s is pleased to announce the return of its “Coach of the Year” program. The Jefferson’s Coach of the Year Award was piloted in 2023 in Lawrence, Joplin, and Topeka in honor of National Coaches Day, taking place on October 6. Last year, the program was extended across all five states where Jefferson’s has locations: Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, resulting in an outpouring of support for the many beloved local coaches in Jefferson’s communities.
The Jefferson’s Coach of the Year award celebrates coaches from any sport who exemplify compassionate leadership, community spirit, and dedication to their players. These coaches can be nominated by athletes, guardians of athletes, school officials, or anyone in the community who has witnessed their impact.
How It Works:
- The nomination period opens October 6, and will close at 11:59 p.m. on October 19. Coaches of any sport, working with athletes of all ages, are eligible for nomination.
- Winners from each location will receive a $500 Jefferson’s gift card and their names added to the “Jefferson’s Coach of the Year” plaque displayed prominently at their respective restaurant.
“Coaches bring people together and build pride in their communities, and they rarely seek or receive the spotlight,” said Brandon Graham, president of Jefferson’s Restaurants. “At Jefferson’s, our neighborhoods have always been our bedrock and our priority, so we’re very glad to bring this program back for another opportunity to recognize those who are making an invaluable impact with our kids.”
The Mission: In the last few years, the Jefferson’s brand has made a concerted effort to give back to their neighborhoods through community and charitable campaigns, like the Coach of the Year’s sister program, the Teacher of the Year award. Jefferson’s has also made a habit of forming local partnerships. This summer, the Jefferson’s in Lawrence hosted a food drive to benefit Lawrence-based food bank Just Food.
Jefferson’s has experienced substantial growth in the last several years, with its national footprint nearly doubling in the last five years. President Graham noted the increasing importance of mission-oriented community engagement amidst this growth. “We want to stay dialed in with each and every one of our neighborhoods,” he said. “We take our role in our communities seriously, and we think this is a terrific way to show that.” Leadership continues to look for meaningful community engagement opportunities both system-wide and locally.
What’s New: Now in its third iteration, the Coaches Award has gained more momentum with each successive year, with last year’s submission window collecting thousands of nominations. This fall, the Jefferson’s Coaches Award will honor 35 winners.
2024 Recap: Last year’s winners were chosen from an exceptional pool of community leaders. Winners can be found on the individual location’s page.
If you know of a life-changing coach in a Jefferson’s community, you can submit a nomination through the official Jefferson’s website, active now through 11:59 p.m. CST on October 19. Winners will be announced on November 18.
