TALLAHASSEE – Hospitality establishments across the Tampa and Clearwater Areas have achieved the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) Seal of Commitment, demonstrating their dedication to enhanced safety and sanitation practices at a time when it matters most. The FRLA Seal of Commitment is a promise to guests and employees that their safety is a priority, that the restaurant or hotel meets superior safety and sanitation standards, and that staff are well-trained in these procedures.
Since the launch of the program, nearly 150 establishments have achieved the Seal, with dozens more in progress, representing the statewide commitment of the hospitality industry to the health and safety of employees and guests. Awarded establishments have invested considerable resources to prioritize the safety and health of the staff, guests, and establishment.
Of the first group of Seal of Commitment Designees, the following achievers are in the Tampa and Clearwater Areas:
- World of Beer, Brandon
- Bascom’s Steakhouse, Clearwater
- Clear Sky on Cleveland, Clearwater
- Columbia Restaurant Sand Key, Clearwater
- Island Way Grill, Clearwater
- Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber, Clearwater
- Bobby’s Bistro and Wine Bar, Clearwater
- Clear Sky Café, Clearwater Beach
- Sand Pearl Resort, Clearwater Beach
- Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, Clearwater Beach
- Clear Sky Draught Haus, Dunedin
- East Lake Café, Palm Harbor
- Whiskey Joe’s, Port Richey
- The Don Cesar, St. Pete Beach
- The Library, St. Pete Beach
- Bern’s Steakhouse, Tampa
- Columbia Café, Tampa
- Columbia Restaurant Ybor City, Tampa
- Goody Goody, Tampa
- Haven, Tampa
- Meat Market, Tampa
- Oxford Exchange, Tampa
- Rusty Pelican, Tampa
- Ulele, Tampa
- Whiskey Joes, Tampa
- World of Beer Avion Park, Tampa
- World of Beer Fowler, Tampa
- World of Beer South Tampa, Tampa
“Employee and guest safety is paramount for Florida’s hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, FRLA President and CEO. “Before the COVID-19 pandemic, our hotels and restaurants adhered to strict sanitation, food safety, and training guidelines, but it is important for our guests to know we are going above and beyond. With the Seal of Commitment program, we have built on the foundation of excellent standards to do even more to ensure cleanliness and safety to help build consumer confidence. Establishments can display their awarded Seal as a promise to guests of their strict adherence to these rigorous standards as they welcome back their guests and create memorable experiences.”
“We always want our guests to be safe and healthy” said Michael Kilgore, Chief Marketing Officer of Columbia Restaurant Group. “That’s even more true now, in these times. When they see our independently verified FRLA Seal of Commitment, it’s a symbol. It’s our promise that we have implemented thorough safety and sanitation standards and completed specialized training.”
“Being open for business today, it is more critical than ever to continue doing things that provide our guests and team members with a high level of comfort within our business environment,” said David A. Yamada General Manager of Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach. “Having intensified our efforts to this end, including incorporating the practices recommended by the CDC, we wanted to find a credible way to help us get this message out. Because of the process required to earn the FRLA Seal of Commitment, we felt this achievement would help us in our goal to ensure safety and comfort.”
Awarded establishments have completed rigorous safety and sanitation training. In a post COVID-19 atmosphere, when guests see the FRLA Seal of Commitment on an establishment’s door, they can be confident that the business is committed to sanitation excellence and protecting employees and guests.
Visit https://frla.org/sealofcommitment/ to learn how to achieve the FRLA Seal of Commitment.
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