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 65 reviews)); "The pay is good and reliable." ((in 40 reviews)); "Great people to work with" ((in 39 reviews)); "Great leadership and systems in place to succeed." ((in 17 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 20 reviews)); "Long hours and you pay for parking" ((in 14 reviews)); "Little to no work life balance" ((in 13 reviews)); "Staff are being payed bare minimum and often work long hours above average 9" ((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

Skip to content Skip to footer

Notifications

Restaurant Associates

Part of Compass Group USA

Restaurant Associates reviews

3.9

71% would recommend to a friend

(683 total reviews)

Ed Brown

73% approve of CEO

74% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.2

Diversity & inclusion

4.0

Career opportunities

3.9

Culture & values

3.9

Work/Life balance

3.7

Compensation and benefits

3.4

Senior management

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).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

683 reviews

5.0

Jan 9, 2014

Gave Me Exactly What I Needed

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I found work here when work was hard to find anywhere else. It enable me to support myself and gave me the time to work on what I really wanted to do. The work is fast paced and easy once you get used to it. You will get access to some of the coolest buildings and functions in the world.

Cons

Most people who do this job do it because they need money to do what they really want to do. If you are looking to grow with a career this is probably not for you.

Restaurant Associates Response

We are appreciative that you took the time to share your positive experience with the RA Family. and Happy to hear of your confidence by rating us a 5! We strive to promote a collaborative culture that engages our teams through enthusiasm and excitement around the business. If you have any further feedback please email us info@restaurantassociates.com

4.0

Dec 15, 2013

Great pay and a lot of hours available

Butler

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

great pay, overtime pay, pick your own hours, pick where you work, weekly checks, opportunity to make a lot of money, good training, seasonal

Cons

strict management, expensive uniform (specialty jacket, skid proof shoes, tuxedo pants), easy to get burned out with long hours available, not much room for advancement (limited captain and pantry positions)

3.0

Oct 7, 2013

Great opportunity, bad management

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The job is a great opportunity to hone your culinary skills. There is much room to grow and it is a good place to do it. The company has many other businesses that you could work at if you were looking to move.

Cons

The job can be really bad if you don't have good management. I have had the experience of having corrupt management within my location. It has been my experience that if you contact corporate it does not get you anywhere.

Viewing 628 - 630 of 683 Reviews

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Unidine

3.5★Compensation & Benefits

SYGMA Network

3.5★Compensation & Benefits

Reinhart Foodservice

3.6★Compensation & Benefits

Union Square Hospitality Group

4.3★Compensation & Benefits

Jobs at Restaurant Associates

DISHWASHER (FULL TIME)

DISHWASHER (FULL TIME)

DISHWASHER (FULL TIME)

DISHWASHER (FULL TIME)

DISHWASHER (FULL TIME)

Restaurant Associates reviews FAQs

Reviews Restaurant Associates reviews

Restaurant Associates

Restaurant Associates reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Gave Me Exactly What I Needed

Great pay and a lot of hours available

Great opportunity, bad management

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Restaurant Associates

Restaurant Associates reviews FAQs

Want the inside scoop on your own company?

Bowls

Followed companies

Job searches

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Restaurant Associates

Restaurant Associates reviews FAQs