Sundaze or Bust

(Leaving this page up briefly to inform folks that we are no longer asking for donations. While we didn’t raise the money we hoped to, we wouldn’t still be in business without the donations we received. We hope a new paycheck protection program will give us the ability to reopen Sundaze North in late January/February. Thank you all so so much for keeping Sundaze alive!! Any donations that do not go towards the effort to reopening Sundaze North will be donated to organizations that need it)

Sundaze was started as a sort of middle finger to a certain anti-lgbtq chicken sandwich establishment back in 2016. I had hopes of offering an alternative to serve those who didn’t want to support a company of that kind. But also, it was about creating an opportunity for food service workers who deserved better wages and to be treated with respect in an environment that doesn’t tolerate discrimination or abusive management. In March of 2020, we finally removed real chicken from our menu to become 100% plant based. We have been fortunate enough to know the love of the austin vegan community. We’ve had the honor of serving a diverse community of queer folks, people of color, disabled persons, conscious eaters and honestly the most gracious and grateful customers I’ve had the pleasure of feeding in all my fifteen years in the industry. Y’all are incredibly sweet to us. I owe it to you all to persevere in keeping both Sundaze locations open and to make the improvements we’ve been striving so hard for to be as accessible and consistent as possible while maintaining affordable prices.

It’s no surprise the pandemic has been an extraordinary blow after what is now the second hardest year in my working career.  2019 previously held that title. My team and I are exhausted. Our credit and bank accounts are exhausted. Despite the still existing demand for our food, we’ve been unable to squeeze enough funds to afford our latest vegan-stential threat...

One of our trailers is completely falling apart. I purchased a fixer upper in 2018. I wasn’t told about the rusting, compromised frame. The previous owner had made a short term repair but the damage after moving a few times has rendered it unmoveable. Our yearly permit expires in January 2021 and we are unable to make it to the inspection without some serious heavy-duty repairs.

The absolute last thing I wanted to do was to ask our community for more, but there are jobs on the line, and delicious sandwiches, fries and nuggs that would be very disappointed.

So I am humbly asking if you have anything to spare, please give. There are a lot of more important causes in the world that deserve your contribution. But I’ve seen people experience genuine joy from our food, and in as short supply as it is these days I think we all deserve the comfort of a crispy fried vegan chik’n sandwich.

That’s my piece. We love you, and thank you.

-Raine




Repair costs




Trailer frame $1,500-2,000

Welding labor $500-800

Materials $500-800

Inspection Fees $700

Construction Labor $500

Tire Replacement $100




We are asking for the amount posted as we are otherwise facing permanent closure.

Any remaining funds will be distributed to our employees whom have been unable to work.