The KC Takeaway returns for a fifth season, with sandwich sales supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City mentoring programs. The 2026 version combines Zarda's Limited Reserve Burnt Ends, Pepper Jack, pulled pork and thin-sliced ham on a toasted Roma bun, finished with Gillotte's preferred Zarda barbecue sauce.
The relaunch took place at 11 a.m. Monday at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Futures Building, 1701 Walnut St. in Kansas City, KCTV reported. Zarda says a portion of each sale benefits the organization. The sandwich costs $13.50 at Zarda locations during the Chiefs' 2026-27 season.
At the event, organizers presented a $12,000 check from last season's proceeds. KCTV reported that the campaign has raised more than $65,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City over four years. Gillotte connected the cause to the mentors, coaches, older players and family members who, he said, made sacrifices to help him succeed.
A Program Built on Real Mentorship
Sean Mitchell, a Big Brothers Big Sisters Little for 11 years, described how his Big, Charles, encouraged him and took an interest in his education, according to KCTV's event report. The KC Takeaway began with then-Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, who helped create the sandwich as a tribute to the team's defense, the station reported.
Reports on the Sneed-era fundraiser cite different totals and time frames. KMBC reported that the partnership raised more than $35,000 across two NFL seasons, including $17,500 during the 2023 season. KSHB reported a sales increase after Sneed's play in the AFC Championship and projected the fundraiser would eventually top $50,000 cumulatively, three years after the sandwich's launch. Separately, Fox4 reported that Sneed presented Big Brothers Big Sisters KC with a $17,500 check on March 12, 2024. These figures refer to the earlier Sneed effort, not Gillotte's current campaign.
What the mentoring figures show
Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City reports that last year 100% of its Senior Littles graduated high school, 84% reported improved self-esteem and 71% reported improved grades since being matched, according to the organization. Those are organization-reported program measures; they do not establish how many youth were served, how many active matches there were or the size of any waitlist, and they are not outcomes attributable to the sandwich campaign.
Where to Find It This Season
This season's sandwich is available at Zarda Bar-B-Q locations in Blue Springs and Lenexa, and at Hy-Vee Market Grilles in Kansas City-area Hy-Vee stores, KCTV reported. Earlier Sneed-era versions were also sold at Wahlburgers, according to KSHB; this year's rollout is with Zarda and Hy-Vee.
The campaign brings a Chiefs player's barbecue favorite back as a recurring fundraiser for local mentoring. Its cumulative totals reflect successive efforts by different players, with Gillotte now leading the fifth season of the KC Takeaway.
