Mission & Programs

Our Mission

EatDenver is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership organization that connects and empowers our community of regional independent food and beverage.

Our work includes hosting monthly industry education programs and facilitating opportunities for professional development, fostering collaboration within the industry through a digital membership platform and networking events, marketing independent food and beverage concepts through headline events and social media, and advocating on a local and statewide scale for the needs and values of an inclusive and equitable food and beverage community.

  • Programs & Professional Development

    Member Education Programs

    • Monthly industry discussions on topics like Employee Pay Structure, Menu Engineering, Labor Law Compliance, Inclusivity in the Workplace, Marketing & Branding, and more.

    ED Talks

    • A members-only event in the structure of TED Talks, six speakers share 10-minute speeches on hospitality themes to an audience of 250+ independent restaurant operators, chefs, managers, and professionals peripheral to the industry. Learn More.

  • Collaboration & Networking

    Building a Resilient Community

    • Our membership of over 300 regional food and beverage concepts share a collaborative, "rising tide lifts all boats" mindset, allowing for organic networking, mentorship, resource-sharing, and discussion within the EatDenver network.

    24/7 Access to Industry Referrals

    • Members also gain access to extensive industry knowledge and best practices through the EatDenver listserv, which provides 24/7 access to 600 operators, owners, and high-level management. Search the archive for referrals, best practices, and fact-based resources.

  • Marketing

    The Big Eat

    • Our summer food festival celebrates the region’s independent drink and dining scene (70+ F&B vendors, 1200 attendees). Learn More.

    Harvest Week

    • Our four-night dinner series in collaboration with The GrowHaus celebrates our intersectional community food system (24 independent restaurants, 520 attendees). Learn More.

    Social Media

    • Follow us for member highlights, upcoming programs, and legislative updates

  • Advocacy

    EatDenver represents its members, and the region’s greater independent food and beverage community, in its advocacy efforts on a local and statewide scale.

    EatDenver has served as a liaison between restaurants and government officials on issues like public health regulations, employee work scheduling, expanded patio programs, third-party delivery and fee transparency, alcohol to-go, and waste reduction.

EatDenver Equity Statement

EatDenver is committed to facilitating and advancing a diverse, inclusive, and equitable food and beverage community for our member restaurants, along with their employees and guests.

Our 2024 initiatives to ensure this outcome includes:

  • Appropriately layering DEI initiatives into the mission, leadership, and ongoing work of EatDenver

  • Evaluating federal and state policies and initiatives to determine the impacts on underrepresented/underserved members of our industry

  • Ensuring EatDenver’s advocacy incorporates the wants and needs of underrepresented members of our industry

  • Facilitating monthly programs and headline events that consider the intersectionality of our membership and showcase diverse speakers/panelists, perspectives, and experiences

  • Implementing membership growth & onboarding strategies that support BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, female, and first-time operator ownership structures

  • Continuing to develop and share informed resources, best practices, and toolkits for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion

COVID-19 Initiatives and Advocacy

  • Incentivized

    over $60,000 in gift card purchases at member restaurants through our Double Down for Denver Restaurants campaign in April 2020.

  • Advocated

    for the creation, adaptations, and extensions of the temporary patio expansion program.

  • Advocated

    for the creation and extension of the legislation to temporarily cap third-party delivery fees, create penalties for listing your restaurants without consent, and create fee transparency for diners.

  • Advocated

    for temporary and permanent To-Go Alcohol legislation.

  • Hosted

    virtual member programs focused on the Paycheck Protection Program, the Denver Temporary Patio Expansion Program, Tipping and Rethinking Employee Pay Structure, and Revenue Streams & Technology in the Time of Limited Capacity.

  • Produced

    an adapted version of Harvest Week, promoting dining in and takeout from 50 participating restaurants (instead of our normal pop-up event at The GrowHaus).

  • Collaborated

    in creating the Restaurants Rally the Vote initiative to empower restaurant workers to use their voice in the 2020 election, with more than 150 participating restaurants.