TALLAHASSEE – Since July, numerous Southwest Florida hospitality establishments achieved the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) Seal of Commitment, demonstrating their dedication to enhanced safety and sanitation practices. The FRLA Seal of Commitment is a promise to guests that their safety is a priority and is designed to improve confidence to return to hotels and restaurants in a post COVID-19 environment. It is a symbol that a restaurant or hotel meets safety and sanitation standards as designated by FRLA and that staff are well-trained.

Since the launch of the program, 100 establishments have achieved the Seal, with dozens more in progress, representing the statewide commitment of the hospitality industry to the health and safety of employees and guests. Awarded establishments have invested considerable resources to prioritize the safety and health of the staff, guests, and establishment.

Of the first group of Seal of Commitment Designees, the following achievers are in the Southwest Florida Area:

• Bonita National HOA, Bonita Springs
• Shangri-La Springs/Harvest & Wisdom, Bonita Springs
• Lock N’ Key Restaurant and Pub, Englewood
• Sandbar Tiki & Grille, Englewood
• Farlow’s on the Water, Englewood
• Shoeless Joe’s Sports Café/Crowne Plaza, Fort Myers
• Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina, Fort Myers
• Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham, Naples
• Paradise Grill, Nokomis
• Pop’s Sunset Grill, Nokomis
• Burg’r Bar, Punta Gorda
• Village Fish Market and Restaurant, Punta Gorda
• Sanibel Moorings Resort, Sanibel
• Sharky’s on the Pier, Venice
• Fins at Sharky’s, Venice
• Snook Haven, Venice

“Employee and guest safety is paramount for Florida’s hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, FRLA President and CEO. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, our hotels and restaurants adhered to strict sanitation, food safety, and training guidelines. With the Seal of Commitment program, we have built on the foundation of those excellent standards to do even more to ensure cleanliness and safety and help build consumer confidence. Establishments can display their awarded Seal as a promise to guests of their strict adherence to these rigorous standards.”

“We have continued to serve our customers throughout the pandemic by staying committed to keeping our guests and employees safe. When the FRLA Seal of Commitment provided an opportunity for further structured training, we were thrilled to be in the first 100 restaurants to complete it,” said Laurie Farlow, Owner of Farlow’s On The Water. “The value of continued and ongoing training is a vital part of excellent hospitality. It is a clear declaration that we’re doing all we can to keep everyone safe!”

“We take great pride in dedicating time and investing in resources to ensure our operations, staff, and guests remain safe and healthy,” said Lee Bellamy, general manager of Shangri-La Springs. “As a property focused on organic wellness, the Seal of Commitment reinforces that the well-being of our guests is always our top priority.”

Awarded establishments have completed rigorous safety and sanitation training. In a post COVID-19 atmosphere, when guests see an FRLA Seal of Commitment sticker on an establishment’s door, they can be confident that the business is committed to sanitation excellence and protecting employees and guests.

Visit https://frla.org/sealofcommitment/ to learn how to achieve the FRLA Seal of Commitment.