On Monday, the Pittsburg City Council agreed to unanimously support a restaurant coaching program which is being labeled as “Pittsburg Eats”.
City Manager Garrett Evans introduced the item calling this a restaurant coaching program which they label as “Pittsburg Eats”. This will be in partnership with the Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation’s Northern California Small Business Development Center (“NorCal SBDC”).
Jordan Davis, Director of Community and Economic Development, highlighted they have been looking at this program for nearly 3-years as restaurants continue to look to recover from COVID-19 since they already operate on a small margins and were forced to close between 2020-2022—they are now dealing with inflation, supply change and changes to customer preferences.
Davis called the Pittsburg Eats program a “catchy name” which would help 6-8 businesses in operation which includes:
- Customized training (1-on-1 coaching)
- Access to resources/guidance
- Cohorts to the types, sizes and stages of participants
- Deeper dive into topics common to restaurants
- No costs to the clients
Davis said this program would only apply to those who are operational currently rather than someone who has an idea and wants to launch a business. They want to look at restaurants who will meet certain criteria.
Under the program, advisors will present via Zoom and be available for follow up 1-on-1 sessions as participants work through goals with an advisor. Within the program, advisors will work with clients to do a deeper dive into finances, getting online or maximizing online presence and reviewing daily operations and food costings.
During Round 2, the program qualifies a business to earn $5k to implement changes and get more depth information on technical topics. In round 3, it would be ongoing round table sessions.
Educational Topics Include:
- Modernizing menus
- Marketing strategies/social media
- Cost control
- Customer service
- Financial management
- ADA Compliance
- Human Resources
- Daily Operations
- Design/Remodel 101: How to make the most of your space
- The value of quality employee handbook
- Identify other ways to stay relevant and increase sales: events tastings, signature products, off-site sales of products.
After the presentation, Mayor Shanelle Scales-Preston called this wonderful in finding a way to help businesses to survive and give them a footprint.
“This is wonderful and was so happy that this was brought forward,” said Scales-Preston. “Some of these business don’t have YELP and are not on Google, or don’t have a website or do not do online orders. Some of those things are so important.”
She highlighted we now look at food differently, order food differently and this could help small business restaurant owners modernize their business.
“This is great, and we could create a real model moving forward,” said Scales-Preston.
Councilmember Jelani Killings said he loved the focus of the program by looking at restaurants and was fully supportive. He was concerned, since this was 6-8 businesses only, if they could ensure they were not all clustered in one area of town.
Davis said preliminary, they will look at breaking the city into three sections and at least select 1 from each section of the city depending on applicants. He said they would attempt to touch all four corners of the city.
Killings further sought clarifications on criteria for businesses who are well-establish but needed some retooling, or was it focused on struggling businesses or those who needed help with outreach.
Davis explained they were looking at all businesses and encouraged businesses at all stages become part of the program—they would not target chain businesses due to them having other resources.
“We are going to target locally owned business,” said Davis noting even though they may be a staple in Pittsburg, could they help them grow to where people from Walnut Creek or other cities come to eat, such as The New Mecca Café.
“I am excited about the program and I am happy to support it,” said Killings. “The other thing that stands out to me is the name Pittsburg Eats, I think staff, the team, the consultants are really coming up with creative concepts about marketing the city.”
Killings hoped the program and marketing around Pittsburg Eats gets the community excited about supporting Pittsburg businesses.
Vice Mayor Juan Banales asked about program participation requirements to be eligible for the grant.
Davis stated they have not yet been developed but will be asking businesses agree to actually participate and attend seminars noting its critical they are not just doing this for the $5k. He said the selection criteria is not yet worked out.
There were no public comments on the item.
The council voted 5-0 in support.
According to the Staff Report:
The City and the Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation’s Northern California Small Business Development Center (“NorCal SBDC”) are proposing to enter into an agreement whereby NorCal SBDC shall coordinate the development and implementation of “Pittsburg Eats,” a program intended to help existing restaurateurs within Pittsburg modernize their operations and receive one-on-one technical assistance.
Staff is requesting the City Council allocate $200,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to cover the cost of the contract. The contract commences on May 4, 2023 and expires on June 30, 2025.
On May 9, 2022, the City Council held a budget workshop, which included a discussion on the use of up to $350,000 for local business coaching. Staff has determined that a budget of $200,000 would be adequate for implementation of the program.
In 2022, the Community Services Subcommittee, as part of its discussion on potential uses of ARPA funds, considered the use of up to $350,000 for administration of a program which would support local business coaching, and recommended the coaching focus on assisting restaurants in rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Subcommittee has consistently supported the use of funding to for this endeavor.
STAFF ANALYSIS
As mentioned above, staff is recommending the City hire NorCal SBDC due to its experience, track record of working with local restauranteurs, and project management capabilities. As part of the base contract, NorCal SBDC would administer application and screening processes, cohort training, technical trainings and one-on-one programing, and virtual roundtables. A more detailed overview is provided in Attachments 3 and 4. All module would be provided in English and Spanish.
Specifically, the program will include several phases within the contract program.
- The Kickoff Period Phase will focus on advising, curriculum development, and client onboarding.
- Cohort Training Phase will include six classes focusing on finance, online presence, daily operations and food costing.
- Advanced Classes and Advising Phase will present more technical assistance and guidance with one-on-one sessions.
- Roundtable Phase will bring experienced restaurateurs and subject matter experts for the participants.
2 comments
Comments are closed.
Add Comment