How To Join The Sarasota-Manatee Originals

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals is a group of local, independent restaurant owners that believe in preserving and enhancing our local culinary legacy though collaborative partnerships with our members, customers, vendors and community.  When you join The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, you become a part of something special.

By joining The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, you get so much in return without paying a membership fee.

Why join The Sarasota-Manatee Originals?

  • Increased advertising and marketing opportunities. Our members participate in marketing initiatives valued at over $200,000.  This allows our members to be promoted locally and nationally.
  • Greater online exposure. Our website allows your current and future customers to research all aspects of your restaurant. They can see the pictures you post, your menus and events, recipes you want to share, your restaurant’s description, and get directions to your location.  If you do not have a website, we can be your entry into the internet.  If you already have a website, don’t worry!  We provide a link to your restaurant. Customers are driven to our website through our marketing campaigns, word of mouth, search engines, and our electronic newsletter that reaches over 2,300 people nationally.  In addition, we have a large presence on Facebook that further promotes our members.
  • Helping you do business. We know the business of running a restaurant can interfere with interacting with your customers.  That is why we are always looking for ways to help you.  We offer free educational opportunities focused on the business aspects of your restaurant and free classifieds.  Our free online classified section lets you post all your job openings.
  • Visibility. Let us act as your clearinghouse for requests for sponsorships, donations, and charitable community work.  We help connect restaurants to community organizations.  We also bring our members opportunities to take part in various charitable events.  This allows our members to get their food in front of large groups while helping charities raise much needed funds for our community.
  • Networking. We meet once a month to discuss what’s going on with our organization, the community, and with each other.  We encourage our members to share ideas and be supportive.
  • Free Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Membership

All these amazing benefits are FREE!

Who can join The Sarasota-Manatee Originals?

  1. Prospective members must be an independent restaurant that is locally owned and operated (not a national chain or franchise) in Sarasota or Manatee county with no more than 6 locations
  2. Prospective members must have been in business (open to the public) for a minimum of one (1) year
  3. Prospective members must be referred by a current member of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals
  4. All applications are subject to board approval

What are my responsibilities as a member?

  1. All members agree to participate in Forks & Corks
  2. All members agree to honor all Sarasota-Manatee Originals discount dining certificates

It is so easy to join!  Just click here for a membership application. Once completed, fax it to The Sarasota-Manatee Originals at (941) 552-2538, or mail to The Sarasota-Manatee Originals, Attn: Kate Atkin, PO Box 32115, Sarasota, FL 34239.