Extraordinary hospitality deserves extra* recognition

*Extra as in $10,000, an all-expenses-paid trip to Boston, and more.

Spirit of Service Award Finalists

Each of these businesses goes above and beyond to deliver heartfelt, human hospitality.

ASI Mexican Fusion Bistro

This San Jose staple offers more than meals. ASI is a second home for guests craving comfort, connection, and care. 

Haven Hot Chicken

This New Haven, Connecticut-based hot chicken joint builds hospitality from the inside out, creating standout guest moments by first empowering its team.

Canadian Honker

Located across the street from a hospital, Canadian Honker is a haven for guests seeking comfort, often when they need it most.  

Visionary Award Finalists

These restaurants are rethinking what’s possible — innovating with purpose, creativity, and care.

Ama

Ama in D.C. is reimagining what restaurants can be. In their case: Fully electric, zero waste, deeply nourishing, and driven by a mission to heal people and the planet.

Bigfoot Brew Coffee

Part coffee shop, part pharmacy, Bigfoot Brew fuses care and caffeine in one creative space where baristas are licensed pharmacy techs and lattes are served with wellness advice.

Studio West 117 Fieldhouse

This fieldhouse is a first-of-its-kind LGBTQ+-centered gymnasium, event space, and culinary destination where hospitality fuels social impact.

Dream Team Award Finalists

These teams lead with heart, lifting one another up and redefining what true support looks like.

The Fieldhouse at the Crossover

When one teammate faced a family crisis, The Fieldhouse stepped up by fundraising, filling shifts, and proving that true hospitality starts with each other.

Giambalvo's Wood Fired Pizza & Pasta

Leadership looks like free shoes, gym passes, and dish shifts at Giambalvo's. Owner Sheryl lifts up her team — and her team shows up strong in return.

Delish Sisters 

At Delish Sisters, teammates of all abilities rise together, serving food, joy, and belonging in a space where there’s a seat (and a purpose) for everyone.

Voting is now closed!

Voting for the 2025 Toast Community Awards is officially closed. Check back August 11 at 12 PM to meet this year’s winners!

Check out the Toast Community

Frequently asked questions

A panel of Toast team members will choose three finalists for each category based on this criteria. Criteria for written entries:

Quality of written submission (i.e. easy to read, thoroughly explained, well-supported, free of typos and spelling errors).
How successfully does the submission, and the content in the submission, embody or symbolize the category?
Does the submission grab your attention and excite/inspire/interest the reader?
Does the submission in other ways support Toast's mission to help businesses delight their guests, do what they love, and thrive?

The general public will then vote on the finalists.

Criteria for voting on video finalists:

Quality of video submission (i.e. easy to understand, thoroughly explained, well-supported)
How successfully does the submission, and the content in the submission, embody or symbolize the category?
Engaging – Does the video grab your attention and excite/inspire/interest the viewer?

The votes for each finalist will then be tallied and the Finalist with the most votes will be declared the winner. One winner from each category will be notified. Please note: If selected as a finalist, you will be asked to create a short video with your story to help the public vote!

The winner of each category will receive the following prizes:

The Spirit of Service Award: Celebrates a business going above and beyond to deliver exceptional hospitality.
- Award: $10K + Toast Menu refresh (approximately a $1,000-$2,000 value)*
- Recognition of Winner at Toast’s Toast on Tour: Boston event
- All expenses paid, round-trip travel to Boston and two-night hotel stay for Toast’s Toast on Tour: Boston event Sept. 14, 2025 to Sept. 16, 2025***
- Dinner with Toast leadership
The Visionary Award: Celebrates a business growing their business in a super innovative way.
- Award: $10K + $1,000 software credit
- Recognition of Winner at Toast’s Toast on Tour: Boston event
- All expenses paid, round-trip travel to Boston and two-night hotel stay for Toast’s Toast on Tour: Boston event Sept. 14, 2025 to Sept. 16, 2025***
- Dinner with Toast leadership
The Dream Team Award: Celebrates a team or individual with a superhuman ability to uplift those around them.
- Award: $10K + $2,500 gift card to be used for a team event
- Recognition of Winner at Toast’s Toast on Tour: Boston event
- All expenses paid, round-trip travel to Boston and two-night hotel stay for Toast’s Toast on Tour: Boston event Sept. 14, 2025 to Sept. 16, 2025***
- Dinner with Toast leadership

*Must be redeemed by 12/31/25.

**Free software will be provided as a credit (up to $1,000) of whatever Toast software the Visionary Winner is already using. Use of software is subject to all applicable Terms of Use.

***“All expenses” are limited to airfare, lodging, food, and transportation up to $3,000 combined and do not include beverages. No expenses other than those listed in the preceding sentence will be covered by Toast. Airline/carrier and hotel will be determined solely by Toast. Toast will pay for one person per Winner business. Toast will pay for all meals and transportation during this trip for the Winner. Winner is responsible for paying for and arranging travel accommodations for any additional individuals. Attendance/admission of any additional individuals at Toast’s company event is in Toast’s sole discretion, and Toast reserves the right to remove any individuals from the company event at any time and for any reason.