The constant attack on the food service of Amtrak by congress is really the basis for the degraded service and wishes to eliminate the diners all together by the CEO. Not to mention long distance travel.
I decided to look up how congress operates its own restaurants and it turns out there are many. Below are some quotes taken right from the rules of operating a food service for congressmen.
Meeting Evolving Expectations for Quality and Services
All quotes from
House and Senate Restaurants: Current Operations and Issues for Congress
Updated April 2, 2019
In addition to reasonable prices, the House and Senate restaurants are expected to meet other customer standards, often related to food quality, nutrition, and variety. Food service vendors, through their experience in the broader restaurant industry, are often aware of current consumer interests, and the House and Senate restaurants solicit customer feedback to help ascertain what
needs and values their particular customers have. When the current vendor, Sodexo, was selected for the House restaurants, the CAO acknowledged that providing quick dining options was a main priority for the restaurant service, although the quality of food, nutrition, and customer service were also considerations. The requirement for two branded restaurant concepts also reflected customer preferences.45 On its website for Senate dining, Restaurant Associates has, at times, highlighted its initiatives in “sustainability as well as social and environmental responsibility.” These include its efforts to provide organic food, locally produced food, sustainable seafood, cage-free eggs, and no trans-fats.46
Complaints about restaurant prices have persisted over the history of the restaurant systems,43 and the 2013 study of dining operations in the House suggested that many customers, particularly staff and visitors, remain price-conscious.44 When possible, customers may be willing to trade the convenience of on-site services for off-site alternatives if the dining options in the Capitol complex are not perceived as good values.
Financial Challenges in Operating Restaurants
Throughout history, the House and Senate restaurants have faced financial challenges. In part, this is a consequence of the operating practices adopted by the House and Senate restaurants tending to reflect the needs of Congress, even when these choices sometimes hurt the ability of the
restaurants to break even. This approach illustrates the view that the restaurants should operate as a necessary service rather than a profit-generating enterprise—
I decided to look up how congress operates its own restaurants and it turns out there are many. Below are some quotes taken right from the rules of operating a food service for congressmen.
Meeting Evolving Expectations for Quality and Services
All quotes from
House and Senate Restaurants: Current Operations and Issues for Congress
Updated April 2, 2019
In addition to reasonable prices, the House and Senate restaurants are expected to meet other customer standards, often related to food quality, nutrition, and variety. Food service vendors, through their experience in the broader restaurant industry, are often aware of current consumer interests, and the House and Senate restaurants solicit customer feedback to help ascertain what
needs and values their particular customers have. When the current vendor, Sodexo, was selected for the House restaurants, the CAO acknowledged that providing quick dining options was a main priority for the restaurant service, although the quality of food, nutrition, and customer service were also considerations. The requirement for two branded restaurant concepts also reflected customer preferences.45 On its website for Senate dining, Restaurant Associates has, at times, highlighted its initiatives in “sustainability as well as social and environmental responsibility.” These include its efforts to provide organic food, locally produced food, sustainable seafood, cage-free eggs, and no trans-fats.46
Complaints about restaurant prices have persisted over the history of the restaurant systems,43 and the 2013 study of dining operations in the House suggested that many customers, particularly staff and visitors, remain price-conscious.44 When possible, customers may be willing to trade the convenience of on-site services for off-site alternatives if the dining options in the Capitol complex are not perceived as good values.
Financial Challenges in Operating Restaurants
Throughout history, the House and Senate restaurants have faced financial challenges. In part, this is a consequence of the operating practices adopted by the House and Senate restaurants tending to reflect the needs of Congress, even when these choices sometimes hurt the ability of the
restaurants to break even. This approach illustrates the view that the restaurants should operate as a necessary service rather than a profit-generating enterprise—
- Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative Branch expressed continuing concerns about food quality, high prices, and poor service in the House restaurants under Sodexo during the House of Representatives FY2018 budget hearing in May 2017. At the hearing, the CAO stated that a quality assurance surveillance team, comprised of five CAO employees, had been created to continually appraise contractor performance in a number of areas. According to the CAO, observations and feedback from the surveillance team during its first two months had led to some improvements in food quality and changes in restaurant management personnel. A new chef was brought in to the Members’ dining room and some table service was reintroduced in response to feedback.18