Pros
* Ram International operates just over 30 restaurants including: Ram Restaurant & Brewery (WA, ID, IN), C.B. & Potts (CO), C.I. Shenanigans (dinner house concept), and used to also have Humperdinks (TX - now a different owner), Murphy's Seafood Steakhouse (ID), and a couple of concepts that didn't make it such as Tirnanog (Irish pub, Seattle), and Sonrisa (mexican, Seattle).
* Opportunity for advancement
* Leadership roles are offered Medical, dental, life, 401K (25% match), health savings account, and vacations (1 week after 2 years, 2 weeks after 3, use it or lose it)
* General managers attend great leadership conferences annually in fun locations such as Hawaii, Mexico, Lake Tahoe, Disney, etc.
* Worked with a lot of wonderful people in the different locations I worked at.
* As much of the paperwork is done in-house, I learned ALOT while working for the Ram. This is not one that you simply take inventory and send it to home office for them to sort out. (Though more and more is being done at corporate in the last 6 years or so)
* Very diverse menu.
Cons
* I only have experience working in one region, other regions may vary
* The whole mentality of the company shifted around 2008 (?) when the company founders gave the business to their 3 sons. The original owners seemed more interested in expanding the company, being the best possible in the market, and making sure their team was happy. The sons that now hold it seem more interested in making money fast regardless of who is in the way.
* Medical benefits have declined in value while costing more each year. When I started they were completely paid for and quite comprehensive. This year they are around $13/week and dropped to major medical.
* There is no longer an HR department, so benefits & labor questions are dealt with rather sporadically.
* Some regional leaders are very quick to jump to conclusions and not willing to hear anyone else's side of the story or opinion.
* 55 hour work weeks scheduled and expected.
