After the recent ban on bake sales in New York City schools, parents associations across the city have been desperately trying to make up for the lack of funds. P.S. 222 in Marine Park is no exception to these cuts and had to find other ways to raise money. One popular fundraiser has been hosting nights at Burger King or McDonalds, which in turn gives 10% of profit during an established 3 hour period, typically bringing in $850 – $900 per event.

P.S. 222 reached out to the ionic Brooklyn eatery Roll-N-Roaster to arrange a similar deal, in an effort to support the local business while raising money for the 5th grade senior trip. Despite the food being more expensive, the Parent’s Association of P.S. 222 promoted the December 1st event with fliers, Facebook, and word of mouth and the restaurant was standing room only during the event. The event seemed to be a great success.

However, PA Representative Mardie Sheiken explained that Roll-n-Roaster promised them “the world” and failed to deliver. They agreed that Roll-n-Roaster would give 10% in the same fashion as Burger King and McDonalds. General Manager Ayet Karce insisted that Roll-N-Roaster owner Nick “Buddy” Lamonica was extremely generous, giving his employees Rolexs and regularly donating to charities. Because of his generosity, Lamonica promised that in addition to donating the 10% of profit, customers brought in by the event would receive a 10% discount and that Roll-N-Roaster would make a donation on top of that themselves. Roll-N-Roaster even boasts their generosity on the company website, which claims to have donated $300,000.00 to “Save the Children.”

When Maride and her associates went to collect the check at the end of the event, they were told to call back tomorrow. When they called back they were told to call back again, then again the next day. They went back and forth with Roll-n-Roaster numerous times for another two full weeks until Roll-N-Roaster finally called them to tell them their check is ready. They were issued a check for $471.00, which was far considerably less money that was expected given the size of the crowd and the cost of the food.

The Principal, Parents Association, and students are now disgusted with Roll-N-Roaster.

Here is what was sent out via Facebook after the check:

Just so you know the owner of Roll N Roaster DID NOT live up to his word of giving our school the 10% of what we brought in the night of our fundraiser!!! They made us wait 2 weeks and presented us with a check for $471.00….. It was a standing room only crowd for three hours straight… no way he only pulled in $4,710.00.

Please pass the word — they are not nice business people and clearly have no values! Although we all enjoy the food, my family will NEVER eat there again…. choose for yourself the next time you want to eat there…

More on this to come as Roll-N-Roaster will not speak with GerritsenBeach.net

Update 12-21:: Roll-N-Roaster spoke with SheepsheadBites who is also covering this story.

Speaking about the 10% off coupon/flyers:

“That was generous on our part. They never had that with other restaurants,” Karce said. “We were generous enough to do that and what they did was take advantage.”

“A lot of those flyers were flyers given to our customers,” said Karce. “I was told they were people who forgot about them. They thought we were idiots and would believe that.”

Karce claims he never gave permission to hand out flyers at the establishment, and he spotted PA president Maryann Locicero handing out flyers to customers.

Karce said the amount given was 10 percent of what came in from the flyers. Because of what he saw as “dishonesty,” the business did not donate more.

Karce said Roll-N-Roaster was reluctant to do this kind of event and won’t be doing it again in the future.

“This is a classic case of why we shouldn’t have done it, because it did interfere with customers who were complaining,” he said. “It was an inconvenience for our customers that came, which [the PA] solicited outside, stalking them as they came out of cars.”