A Note from Burt...Looking Ahead
To Our Valued Guests,
First and foremost, I want to pass along my thoughts and prayers to all of you who are experiencing personal and financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 virus.
I wanted to reach out and give you an update on what is happening in our restaurants. We just received the Payroll Protection Program funding for Deck 84, Burt & Max's and Prezzo. Max's Grille is part of a large public company and doesn't qualify for this particular loan. Seventy-five percent of the loan proceeds go to our employees. They receive salaries for eight weeks which started on April 22. I am thrilled that we are able to pass along these funds to our cherished and loyal employees. The remaining twenty-five percent will pay for rent on our premises.
We plan on using the eight weeks to be as productive as possible. Our focus when we reopen will be on guest and employee safety and on value to our guests. We have commissioned Food Safety & Inspection Services to educate, train, and continually evaluate our staff on the best possible protocols which will include proper disinfecting methods. It's extremely important to us for our staff and guests to feel safe and comfortable in our establishments.
I certainly understand the importance of value as we move into the "new normal." We are currently developing a summer marketing plan that speaks to it. Even though we have incurred significant financial losses during this crisis, our pledge to you is that we will: Maintain Our Quality Standards, Maintain Our Portion Sizes, Maintain (and in some case, lower) Our Menu & Beverage Pricing. We will also be adapting our business model in order to remain solvent in the new environment.
On behalf of our entire staff, my wife Robin, and myself, we look forward to serving you when we all feel comfortable in doing so.
Sending you my wishes to stay healthy & safe,
Burt Rapoport
Rapoport's Restaurant Group
P.S. Burt & Max's will be offering contactless curbside takeout and delivery in the near future😃