Is Restaurant Associates a good company to work for?

Restaurant Associates has an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5, based on over 712 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 10% over the last 12 months. 71% of employees would recommend working at Restaurant Associates to a friend and 74% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Restaurant Associates have been left by employees working as General Manager , Executive Chef and Assistant General Manager .

Does Restaurant Associates pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Restaurant Associates employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.7 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Restaurant Associates. This rating has decreased by 12% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Restaurant Associates?

71% of Restaurant Associates employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Restaurant Associates 3.9 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.9 for culture and values and 4.0 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Restaurant Associates?

Executive Chef (35) , General Manager (34) , Butler (25) , Cook (21) , Director (20) , Cafe Manager (19) , Manager (19) , Sous Chef (18) , Catering Manager (17) , Line Cook (13) , Chef (12) , Assistant General Manager (11) , Food Service Director (8) , Regional Director of Operations (8) , Catering Attendant (7)

What are the pros of working at Restaurant Associates according to real employee reviews?

"Great benefits and the company encourages growth from within." ((in 61 reviews)); "Great people to work with" ((in 41 reviews)); "The pay is good and reliable." ((in 37 reviews)); "Great leadership and systems in place to succeed." ((in 18 reviews)); "staff is great, laid back and easy" ((in 10 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Restaurant Associates according to real employee reviews?

"Poor management; corner" ((in 35 reviews)); "Managers are horrible, they look for a reason to fire you before you get into the union" ((in 19 reviews)); "Long hours and you pay for parking" ((in 15 reviews)); "Little to no work life balance" ((in 14 reviews)); "Long hours are expected, sometimes no support." ((in 11 reviews))

What are employees saying about Restaurant Associates layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Restaurant Associates layoffs and their outlook for job security at Restaurant Associates in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Restaurant Associates locations?

New York , Washington , Boston , Kennett Square , Cambridge , Philadelphia , Atlanta , Wilmington , McLean , Chicago , Jersey City , Weehawken , Hyde Park , Ann Arbor , Knoxville , Kennet Sq , Richmond , Leesburg , Clifton Park , Los Angeles , Baltimore , Tysons Corner , Bound Brook , Newark , Princeton , Trenton , Blacksburg , Arlington , Lorton , Albany

Restaurant Associates reviews

3.9

71% would recommend to a friend

(683 total reviews)

Ed Brown

73% approve of CEO

74% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (683 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Restaurant Associates has an employee rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 683 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Restaurant Associates employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Restaurants & Food Service industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

683 reviews

1.0

May 6, 2017

Butler

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible schedule, you are able to work in different venues.

Cons

You dont have a reliable income, they dont give you a 30 minute break when they are required to. Most times you have to eat in a staircase.

Restaurant Associates Response

8y

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. From the top down, the key to our business is our commitment to our associates. We strive to provide an environment where all associates feel they're valued, treated fairly and respected. We care very deeply for our associates and always looking for ways to improve. Our associates are encouraged to provide further feedback, please email us info@restaurantassociates.com

3.0

Dec 5, 2016

BARTENDER

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

A few fun hardworking employees and managers, fairly flexible hours in a beautiful garden setting. No traffic on windy back roads make for spirited, easy commute. Customers from all over the world are happy to visit. Food is fairly good.

Cons

Hiring manager blatently misrepresented job as a lucrative bartender job when actually it is a non tipping concession stand. Credit card payments are printed without a line to add tips....a far cry from the weekly tips I was told I would be receiving. Food is inconsistent and your lunch is taken after working for one hour which makes for a long 8+ hours until service concludes.

Restaurant Associates Response

8y

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. We'd love to learn more about your experience and how we can improve. Please email us at info@restaurantassociates.com

3.0

Jun 20, 2016

Good Job

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good pay, flexibility with hours

Cons

Long shifts and managers were rude sometimes

Restaurant Associates Response

8y

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and experience about RA. We care very deeply for our associates and always looking for ways to improve. If you have any further feedback please email us info@restaurantassociates.com

Viewing 37 - 39 of 683 Reviews

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Jobs at Restaurant Associates

DISHWASHER (FULL TIME)

DISHWASHER (FULL TIME)

DISHWASHER (FULL TIME)

DISHWASHER (FULL TIME)

DISHWASHER (FULL TIME)