Niko's Plans 50 Free Meals Weekly: Here's How You Get 1

JOLIET, IL — Starting Monday, Niko's Pizzeria in downtown Joliet on Ohio Street will be doing something that's sure to generate a lot of buzz around Joliet's restaurant community. Restaurant owner Nikos Lippas plans to give away 50 free meals to the community.

"To anybody," Lippas said.

The owner of Niko's Pizzeria is expanding his partnership with Joliet native Jaime Frausto, who launched a new technology company called Giveth.net that he hopes becomes an international hit. Joliet Patch first wrote about Giveth.net in the summer of 2021.

The new meal giveaway at Niko's is intended to uplift everyone in the community, these free meals are not geared for the homeless or people staying at area shelters, both men said.

Instead of giving away complimentary coffee mugs for employees, more and more companies are giving their employees free meals as gifts, Frausto said.

During this week's interview, Frausto originally told Joliet Patch that Niko's Pizzeria would be gifting 40 meals starting Monday, Oct. 3.

"Put 50," Lippas announced. "Our plan is to do this every week to help out lots of people in Joliet."

While supplies last, Niko's Pizzeria followers will be able to claim a complimentary Giveth.net Gift Code to redeem for one meal. Niko's is offering three different choices from its Giveth.net specials:

• A six-piece leg and thigh chicken dinner and a drink.
• A beef sandwich with fries and a drink.
• A mostaccioli with garlic bread.

First, people must download the Giveth.net app to their phone in order to be eligible for the free meal giveaway.

"It's first come, first serve and (the free meal) expires in two weeks," Frausto explained.

Patch asked Lippas why Niko's Pizzeria is stepping up and spearheading Frausto's efforts to draw more attention to Giveth.net.

"To help the community and appreciate for the customers and to help each other," Lippas said.

These days, Niko's Pizzeria is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

"And in the bottom of the story, put 'Stay Hungry My Friends,'" Lippas added.

At the moment, Frausto said there are three main area restaurants partnering with Giveth.net: Niko's Pizzeria, Jody's Hot Dogs on Republic Avenue and Nabby's on Route 59 in Plainfield.

"If you're a restaurant and want to partner with Giveth.net, go to our website, it's all there," he explained.

Related Patch coverage:

Joliet Tech Startup Giveth.net: 'This Is Going To Go Nationwide'

Niko's Overcomes Oven Woes: 1,010 Greek Chickens Sold