Pros
Since ARI took over ownership of 50 Below, the corporate side of things has improved exponentially. I started working for 50 Below shortly before they were bought out, and the only thing I liked was my work and my co-workers. Since ARI has taken over, we have received steady paychecks, direct deposit (which was a huge leap forward from paper checks!), and now a 401k plan. The work ethic that the employees developed during the days of 50 Below has carried through, and they encourage cross-training in different departments and helping out other departments when they're in need. It feels great to have gained skills in other areas of the company that I can add to my resume, and to be encouraged to do so. The culture shock took some getting used to, but has been well worth the transition. ARI has worked hard to move us forward and to keep us happy.
Cons
We seem to have kept our old health and dental plans, which are higher cost with mediocre coverage, and they seem to have dropped our vision insurance completely so there is nothing to cover glasses or contacts.
