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

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 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

2.0

Sep 5, 2015

Great For A College Job

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The pay for an entry level job is great, It was my first job right away that paid 16.00. You can make a little extra money while cleaning up an event, there are plenty of opportunities to get compensated out of scope of your role. Extremely flexible schedule, you can work as hard or as easy weekly depending on how many shifts you want.

Cons

You have to purchase the entire uniform, they only provide the jacket. The hours are very long, on average 12 hrs from set-up to break down of event. Your on your feet consistently, having some strength is a requirement. Some events require you to be outdoors in hot weather for 9 + hrs. Your schedule can work for you or against you, you have to sign-up for individual events based on their number of people they need.

Restaurant Associates Response

8y

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. We strive to provide an environment where associates feel they are valued, treated fairly and respected. Our associates are encouraged to provide further feedback to info@restaurantassociates.com.

2.0

Aug 29, 2015

Cook

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good hours, great schedule, good co workers

Cons

Pay, heavy work loads, very busy

Restaurant Associates Response

8y

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. We strive to provide an environment where associates feel they are valued, treated fairly and respected. Our associates are encouraged to provide further feedback to info@restaurantassociates.com.

3.0

Aug 17, 2015

pantry /pantry supervisor

Pantry supervisor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Restaurant associates is a great catering company to work for working with them you get to work in many different places and meet new people.

Cons

The only downside working for restaurant associates is that it isn't full time and no benefits, and there isn't much space for growth

Restaurant Associates Response

8y

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. We strive to provide an environment where associates feel they are valued, treated fairly and respected. Our associates are encouraged to provide further feedback to info@restaurantassociates.com.

Viewing 634 - 636 of 683 Reviews

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Jobs at Restaurant Associates

FOOD SERVICE UTILITY (FULL TIME)

SERVER ASSISTANT (FULL TIME AND PART TIME)

DISHWASHER (FULL AND PART TIME)

CATERING ATTENDANT (ON CALL)

PANTRY COORDINATOR (PART TIME)