Evos goes after school lunch business

Evos, the self-described healthier fast-food chain, is packing and delivering its soy burgers, hot dogs and hot air-baked fries to select local schools for student lunches. After feeding kids at 40 area summer camps this summer, the Tampa chain, which features antibiotic, nitrate and growth hormone-free fare, is actively recruiting schools looking to offer parents an alternative to what's usually fat-laden, carbohydrate-packed cafeteria food. The Evos program is designed as a healthier alternative and hassle-free fundraiser for schools that get 10 percent of sales. So far about 40 schools have signed up, virtually all of them private, magnet or charter schools. Parents order and pay for the $4 to $5 school lunches at Evos online (evoslunchroom.com), which are custom packed for delivery at lunch time. Evos' four bay area stores delivered about 1,000 camp lunches a week this summer and set a goal of 4,000 a week this school year. The 10-store chain also is marketing the service to schools in Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., and Miami. A few other fast-food chains have school lunch programs, but typically the school picks up the food and collects the money.