The City of Mesa is teaming up with Local First Arizona to host the Mesa CARES Restaurant Bootcamp in Spanish for Mesa restaurants affected by COVID-19. Local First Arizona will conduct a 6-week bootcamp with the first class beginning Saturday, Oct. 10. The Bootcamp will be conducted each Saturday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The Bootcamp is part of the Mesa CARES Small Business Technical Assistance Program, which is designed to provide free training, one-on-one business coaching, and technical assistance services to eligible, Mesa-based businesses that were impacted by the required business closures or limited services mandated by statewide Executive Orders.
This Restaurant Bootcamp is designed for Spanish-speaking restaurateurs who want to improve their businesses without high costs and liability and provides them with the necessary tools to succeed. The course is valuable for recently opened food businesses or existing businesses looking to streamline their current operating systems.
"Mesa's small businesses and restaurants have felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Mesa CARES Small Business Reemergence program continues to deliver critical resources to support their recovery," Mayor John Giles said. "We're pleased to partner with Local First Arizona to offer a Restaurant Bootcamp for Mesa's Spanish-speaking restaurant owners."
The bootcamp will be limited to 12 participants and will be facilitated by Local First Arizona Director of Food Programs, Gabe Gardner, a life-long hospitality professional. In addition, the bootcamp will include content experts who will provide practical knowledge to give restaurateurs tactical plans to grow their businesses.
The course will cover the following topics through a mix of lectures, guest speakers, discussion, and student activities:
Food Service Purchasing
Food Service Math and Costing
Profitable Menu Creation
Point-Of-Sale Systems
Local Procurement
Front and Back of House Relations
Food Service Logistics and Marketing
Food Establishment Permitting
Businesses can apply online at www.MesaAz.Gov/CARESBizTechAssist. Anyone needing help completing the application may contact the Mesa CARES Call Center at (480) 644-CARE (2273). The call center is open Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The Mesa CARES Small Business Technical Assistance Program is part of the Mesa CARES Initiative that supports individuals, families, and businesses impacted by COVID-19. Funding comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Media Contact: Kim Lofgreen
Office of Economic Development
480-644-3962
Kim.lofgreen@mesaaz.gov