Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association Launches Safe Dining Program

The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) and ServSafe today announced an expanded partnership of the ServSafe Dining Commitment and the launch of a consumer ad campaign highlighting how diners can “go safe” by “looking for the sign when they dine.”
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The MLRA and ServSafe announced expanded collaboration today, including a consumer ad campaign highlighting how diners can “go safe” by “looking for the sign when they dine.” // Stock Photo
The MLRA and ServSafe announced expanded collaboration today, including a consumer ad campaign highlighting how diners can “go safe” by “looking for the sign when they dine.” // Stock Photo

The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) and ServSafe today announced an expanded partnership of the ServSafe Dining Commitment and the launch of a consumer ad campaign highlighting how diners can “go safe” by “looking for the sign when they dine.”

The ServSafe Dining Commitment was launched in July 2020 by the National Restaurant Association and ServSafe to showcase restaurants demonstrating their ongoing commitment to health and safety precautions. The program has since evolved to incorporate changing operating requirements, requiring that operations:

  • Have a ServSafe Certified Manager on staff at each location.
  • Agree to follow National Restaurant Association COVID-19 Operating Guidance or Corporate Guidelines, local laws, and guidelines.
  • Make a commitment to train employees as ServSafe Food Handlers and encourage them to take ServSafe’s free COVID-19 training.

“We partnered with ServSafe and the National Restaurant Association on the ServSafe Dining Commitment to ensure that Michigan restaurants have a deliberate and credible way to show diners they are providing safe dining experiences,” says Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the MRLA. “The foundation of the Dining Commitment is ServSafe training and certification, because when advanced food safety is part of a restaurant’s core values, consumers can have peace of mind and enjoy great experiences, so the foodservice community can thrive again.”

In addition to the ServSafe Dining Commitment decals on display at participating restaurants, diners in metro Detroit will soon start seeing commercials encouraging them to find local participating restaurants by going to servsafedining.org.

“For 30 years, ServSafe has been at the forefront of preparing restaurant and foodservice workers to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests, while also keeping themselves safe,” says Sherman Brown, executive vice president of training and certification for the National Restaurant Association. “We encourage operators, and the entire restaurant and foodservice community to join us in welcoming diners back to their dining rooms with the peace of mind that their restaurant adheres to the ServSafe Dining Commitment.”

Founded in 1921, the MRLA represents more than 5,000 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan’s economy, employing more than 595,000 people and creating nearly $40 billion in annual sales.

For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.