American Pecan Promotion Board Recipe Contest (“Contest”) 2025 Official Rules

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. NOT TRANSFERABLE. THIS CONTEST IS INTENDED FOR THE UNITED STATES. DO NOT ENTER IF YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE AND LOCATED IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE TIME OF ENTRY.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

1. ELIGIBILITY: NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. This Contest is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are eighteen (18) years of age or older (nineteen (19) and older for legal residents of Alabama and Nebraska) at the time of entry, and are either (a) owners of a foodservice establishment, or (b) part-time or full-time chefs/operators/decision makers at a foodservice establishment and in good standing with their employer at time of participation. The following individuals are not eligible to enter: employees, contractors, directors, and officers of American Pecan Board Promotion Board (“Sponsor”), its parent, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies, and the web design, advertising, fulfillment, legal, administrative, and other agencies involved in the administration, development, fulfillment, and execution of this Contest (collectively, “Contest Parties”), and the immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and spouse or "step" of each) and those living in the same household of each such person (those persons whether related or not who live in the same residence for at least three months during the twelve-month period preceding the start date of the Contest). Void where prohibited.  

2. CONTEST OVERVIEW: The Contest will begin on September 1, 2025, at 12:00:00 AM ET and ends September 26, 2025 at 11:59:59 PM ET (“Contest Period”). 

3. TO ENTER THE CONTEST: During the Contest Period, users can visit the contest site at www.eatpecans.com/powerful-pecans-contest (the “Website”) to fill out the registration form and submit three (3) images of your original recipe that includes pecans, along with recipe instructions.  

There is a limit of (3) entries you can submit. 

For an entry to be valid, entrant must submit their registration form, complete with all required information, upload three (3) images of their recipe along with the recipe instructions, and read and agree to the Official Rules (all of which constitute an “Entry”) within the Contest Period. 

4. CONTEST ENTRY REQUIREMENTS/RESTRICTIONS: By submitting an Entry you agree that it conforms to the guidelines and content restrictions below and that Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may disqualify your Entry from the Contest if the Sponsor believes it fails to conform. Your Entry must comply with the following and by entering you represent and warrant and agree that:

• Must be an original pecan recipe created by the entrant entering the Contest;
• Recipes can be across dayparts (breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snack) and menu platforms (appetizer, soups, salads, handhelds, center of the plate, dessert);  
• Cannot have previously won a contest or other promotion;
• Cannot have been previously featured on a menu; 
• Cannot have been generated by AI; 
• Must be in English;
• Must list all ingredients in exact measurements, and include step-by-step instructions, cooking times and number of servings; and
• Must be comprised of non-branded ingredients. 

Entrants retain ownership of the Entry they submit, however, by entering you grant Sponsor and any organizations affiliated with the sponsorship, fulfillment, administration, prize support, advertisement or promotion of the Contest, the perpetual, fully-paid, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to reproduce, prepare derivate works of, distribute, display, exhibit, transmit, broadcast, televise, digitize, otherwise use, and permit others to use and perform throughout the world the Entry, in whole or in part, in any manner, form, or format now or hereinafter created, including on the internet, and for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising or promotion of Sponsor and the Contest, all without further consent from or payment to you or any persons. The Entries may be published and posted online but you agree that Sponsor has no obligation to post or publish your Entry, that all such postings or publication, if any, will be in Sponsor’s sole discretion and that the posting or publication of an Entry does not guarantee the Entry is a winner. You will release, indemnify and hold harmless Contest Entities, and their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotional agencies from any claim by any third party relating to any rights in the Entry.

5. PRIVACY POLICY: This Contest is offered only in the United States and is governed by the laws of the United States. Information collected by Sponsor and its agencies in connection with the Contest may be used by Sponsor and its agencies in accordance with the online Privacy Policy available at https://eatpecans.com/privacy-policy

6. SELECTION OF THE CONTEST WINNERS AND JUDGING CRITERIA: At the conclusion of the Contest Period, all eligible entries will be judged by a qualified panel of judges (the “Judges”) based on the below judging criteria (the “Criteria”):

• Versatility of Pecan Use – 1-30 points
• Creativity/Originality – 1-25 points
• Visual Appetite Appeal – 1-20 points (based on photos submitted)

 The top ten (10) entries with the highest score from the Criteria will be deemed a finalist. Finalist Entries will be prepared by the Judges and assigned points based on the following point system:

• Versatility of Pecan Use – 1-30 points
• Creativity/Originality – 1-25 points
• Visual Appetite Appeal – 1-20 points 
• Taste – 1-30 points

 The one (1) finalist Entry that receives the highest score based on the finalist point system above will be the potential grand prize winner. The five (5) finalist Entries that receive the next highest scores based on the finalist point system above will be the potential first prize winners. In the event of a tie, Judges will assess the tied entries on the Versality of Pecan Use and Creative/Originality with the higher score being the winner.

7. PRIZES (“PRIZES”) AND APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE (“ARV”): 

•  One (1) Grand Prize: a check for $10,000 ARV: $10,000
• Five (5) First Prizes: a check for $1,000 ARV: $1,000 each
• Total ARV of All prizes: $15,000

8. PRIZE RESTRICTIONS: Limit of one (1) prize per person. Winner is solely responsible for any federal, state, and/or local taxes, if any, or any other costs, fees, or expenses, if any, on the prize they receive. Prize is not transferable, and no substitution of prize is permitted except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor. If a prize cannot be awarded for any reason, Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to substitute a prize with one of comparable or greater value. All costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specifically provided herein are the responsibility of the winner.

9. CONTEST WINNER NOTIFICATION AND PRIZE CLAIM: Receiving any prize is contingent upon compliance with these Official Rules. The potential winners and any alternate potential winners are collectively referred to herein as the “Winner.” Winners are subject to verification, including verification of age. Winners will be contacted via email and will be required to verify their/his/her/eligibility by completing, signing, notarizing and returning an Affidavit of Eligibility/Liability Release, and, where lawful, a Publicity Release (granting the use of the Winner’s name, city/state, likeness, or photograph by Sponsor for advertising/publicity purposes, without further compensation), and a completed and signed Federal Form W-9, by DocuSign within seven (7) calendar days of attempted notification or prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner may be contacted. 

Any Prize will be forfeited if: (i) a Prize notification is returned as undeliverable; (ii) if any required response (including email response) is not received in a timely manner for any reason, including spam filters; (iii) if any Prize claim forms or Winner verification materials are not returned within the required time period; (iv) if any potential Winner is determined to be ineligible or otherwise not in compliance with these Official Rules; or (v) if Winner is unable or unwilling to accept the Prize or any portion thereof. Sponsor and Contest Parties are not responsible for any change in mailing address, email address, and/or telephone number of entrants. Sponsor is not required to make more than one attempt to notify any individual potential winners; nor is Sponsor required to make more than one attempt to verify an alternative Winner if a potential Winner is disqualified. Prize may not be awarded if the prize is not properly claimed. Unclaimed prizes will not be awarded.

Taxes: Winners are solely responsible for any taxes on the prize, and winners will be issued an IRS Form 1099 reporting the actual value of the Prize  As a condition of winning, potential Contest Prize Winner will be required to complete a W9 Tax Form and will be required to furnish his/her social security number for the sole purpose of preparation of any tax forms as required by law. 

10. GENERAL CONDITIONS: INTERNET CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. If the Contest is not capable of running as planned for any reason, including without limitation, due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Contest, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who is responsible or who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, modify, or terminate the Contest. If, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, any portion of the Contest is not capable of running as planned for any reason, or the integrity and/or feasibility of the Contest is severely undermined by any event beyond the control of Sponsor, including but not limited to fire, flood, health pandemic or epidemic, earthquake, explosion, extreme weather conditions, interruptions in air travel, labor dispute or strike, act of God or public enemy, satellite or equipment failure, riot or civil disturbance, war (declared or undeclared), terrorist threat or activity, or any federal, state, or local government law, order, or regulation, order of any court or jurisdiction, infection by computer virus, unauthorized intervention, technical failures or other cause not reasonably within the control of Sponsor (each a “Force Majeure” event or occurrence), Sponsor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to abbreviate, modify, suspend, cancel or terminate the Contest without any further obligation. In the event of cancellation, Sponsor will award the Prizes from among all valid and eligible Entries received up to the time of such cancellation using the Criteria and finalist point system above, provided a sufficient number of Entries are received. In no event will more than the number of Prizes stated in these Official Rules be awarded. In the event that an entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or destroyed, Dealer’s sole remedy shall be another entry into the Contest. Sponsor may modify and amend these Official Rules as they may appear online from time to time during the Contest for clarification purposes without materially affecting the terms and conditions of the Contest.

11. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE: No liability or responsibility is assumed by Sponsor, Contest Parties, resulting from user’s participation in, attempt to participate in the Contest, or download of any information in connection with participating in the Contest. No responsibility or liability is assumed by the Sponsor, Contest Parties or Meta for technical problems or technical malfunction arising in connection with any of the following occurrences, without limitation, that may affect the operation of the Contest: hardware or software errors; faulty computer, telephone, cable, satellite, network, electronic, wireless, or Internet connectivity, or other online communication problems; errors or limitations of any Internet service providers, servers, hosts, or providers; garbled, jumbled, or faulty data transmissions; failure of any email transmissions to be sent to or received; lost, late, delayed, or intercepted email transmissions; inaccessibility of the Website in whole or in part for any reason; traffic congestion on the Internet or Website; unauthorized human or non-human intervention in the operation of the Contest, including without limitation, unauthorized tampering, hacking, theft, virus, bug, worm; or destruction of any aspect of the Contest. Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical errors in the announcement of the Prizes or these Official Rules, or any inaccurate or incorrect data contained on the Website. Use of Website is at user’s own risk. Sponsor and the Contest Parties are not responsible for any personal injury or property damage or losses of any kind that may be sustained to user’s or any other person’s computer equipment resulting from participation in the Contest, use of the Website, or the download of any information from the Website. As a condition of entering, entrants agree to release and hold Sponsor, the Contest Parties, and Meta harmless from any and all liability, loss, or damage incurred with respect to entrant’s participation in the Contest and the awarding, receipt, possession, and/or use or misuse of any Prize. 

12. BINDING ARBITRATION: To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the Contest shall be settled by binding arbitration in a location determined by the arbitrator as set forth herein (provided that such location is reasonably convenient for claimant), or at such other location as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties, in accordance with the procedural rules for commercial disputes set forth in the Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures of JAMS ("JAMS Rules and Procedures") then prevailing, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrator shall be selected pursuant to the JAMS Rules and Procedures. The arbitrator shall apply Texas law consistent with the Federal Arbitration Act and applicable statutes of limitations and shall honor claims of privilege recognized at law. Parties understand that they shall split the arbitration costs, and each party shall pay its own respective costs and fees, including its own attorney’s fees. If any part of this arbitration provision is deemed to be invalid, unenforceable or illegal (other than that claims will not be arbitrated on a class or representative basis), or otherwise conflicts with the rules and procedures established by JAMS, then the balance of this arbitration provision shall remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with its terms as if the invalid, unenforceable, illegal or conflicting provision were not contained herein. If, however, the portion that is deemed invalid, unenforceable or illegal is that claims will not be arbitrated on a class or representative basis, then the entirety of this arbitration provision shall be null and void, and neither claimant nor Sponsor shall be entitled to arbitrate their dispute. Upon filing a demand for arbitration, all parties to such arbitration shall have the right of discovery, which discovery shall be completed within sixty days after the demand for arbitration is made, unless further extended by mutual agreement of the parties. THE ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE IN THE ENTRANT’S INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. THE ARBITRATOR MAY NOT CONSOLIDATE OR JOIN THE CLAIMS OF OTHER PERSONS OR PARTIES WHO MAY BE SIMILARLY SITUATED. DO NOT ENTER THIS CONTEST IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO HAVE ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARBITRATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE OFFICIAL RULES.

BY PARTICIPATING IN THE CONTEST, EACH ENTRANT AGREES THAT TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW: (1) ANY AND ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THE CONTEST, OR ANY PRIZE AWARDED, WILL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY THROUGH BINDING ARBITRATION AS SET FORTH ABOVE, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION; (2) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, JUDGMENTS, AND AWARDS WILL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL THIRD-PARTY, OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS INCURRED (IF ANY), BUT IN NO EVENT WILL ATTORNEYS’ FEES BE AWARDED OR RECOVERABLE; (3) UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ANY ENTRANT BE PERMITTED TO OBTAIN ANY AWARD FOR, AND ENTRANT HEREBY KNOWINGLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO SEEK, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS AND/OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES, (OTHER THAN ACTUAL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES), AND/OR ANY RIGHTS TO HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR OTHERWISE INCREASED; AND (4) ENTRANT’S REMEDIES ARE LIMITED TO A CLAIM FOR MONEY DAMAGES (IF ANY) AND ENTRANT IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR EQUITABLE RELIEF. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO EVERY ENTRANT.

13. PUBLICITY: Except where prohibited by law, by accepting a Prize, winner grants permission for Sponsor and those acting under its authority to use his/her name, and address (city and state/province/territory), photograph, voice and/or likeness, for advertising and/or publicity purposes, in any and all media (including posting on Website) now known or hereinafter invented without territorial or time limitations and without further notice to and without additional compensation. If you are selected as the winner, your information may also be included in a publicly available winners list.

14. GOVERNING LAW & JURISDICTION: To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, your rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas, U.S.A., without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules thereof, and any matters or proceedings which are not subject to arbitration as set forth in Section 10 of these Official Rules and/or any judgment on an arbitration award shall be resolved exclusively in the federal, state and local courts located in Fort Worth, TX.   Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other provision. If any provision of these Official Rules is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be struck, and the remaining provisions shall be enforced.
    
    

15. WINNER LIST: For a winner list, send an email to [email protected] with American Pecan Board Contest in the subject line. Requests must be received by October 15, 2025.
    
    

16. ADMINISTRATOR: Marketing Resources, Inc. Oak Park, IL.
    
    

17. SPONSOR: American Pecan Promotion Board 1431 Greenway Dr., Suite 700, Irving TX 75038