The Bartolotta Restaurants
Milwaukee
Industry: Hospitality
As many local restaurants struggle under the weight of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and adjust to evolving diner habits, one thing has remained a constant motivator for Paul Bartolotta: “Our mantra, ‘get better at getting better,’” he said.
The chef, owner and co-founder of one of Milwaukee’s most prominent restaurant groups, The Bartolotta Restaurants, said the past few months have been some of the toughest he and the business have ever faced.
Unwilling to risk the health of employees and diners, Bartolotta kept all 17 of the group’s area locations closed for almost four months. The company continued to support its 950 employees by distributing the group’s food supply as “family meals” for its workers and providing short-term medical benefits.
Meanwhile, Bartolotta and his team devised a reopening plan to be both safe and financially viable, and one that could be adapted to each Bartolotta concept.
“I am so proud of what we have accomplished so far, through our history of successfully serving our guests, and now through our flexibility to adapt and willingness to go above and beyond,” Bartolotta said.
Service has resumed at three of the group’s restaurants over the past two months, bringing more than 220 salaried and hourly employees back to work.
