For years, aspiring restaurant owners have become familiar with the challenging process of chasing permits and acquiring licenses from the many departments keeping Los Angeles running. What many don’t realize is that they don’t need to go it alone, thanks to the Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety’s Restaurant & Hospitality Express program.
Commonly abbreviated to RHEP, the Restaurant & Hospitality Express Program was conceived and designed to improve permitting for new food service establishments. Under this program, each new establishment is assigned a dedicated case manager who can provide personalized one-on-one assistance throughout the entire process, from the beginning design phases to the final construction stage. The goal here is to help restaurateurs tackle a notoriously arduous and costly procedure through a streamlined and hands-on approach, making the permitting and inspection process more efficient.
The initiative’s success with its target clientele is undeniable. Since its inception, RHEP has seen a steady increase in cases year after year. More impressively, even with the rise in number of filed cases, the staff has managed to maintain a perfect record in assisting every single Restaurant & Hospitality project within five days of filing, with more personnel and case managers being added over time in order to accommodate growing demand.
John Mulleady, Senior Vice President of Development for Dave & Buster’s Restaurants, spoke highly of RHEP when asked to comment on his experiences with the program.
“Our entry into the Los Angeles market with the support and leadership of the Restaurant & Hospitality Express Program was, without a doubt, invaluable,” he said.
“The dedication and true concern with addressing our questions, providing direction and facilitating meetings to help guide us through the process was truly exceptional."
LADBS wants to make sure more aspiring restaurateurs know about this invaluable service. With every new case, we can further improve and expand upon the Restaurant & Hospitality Express Program.
To apply and learn more about RHEP, please visit LADBS.org or call (213) 482-0464.