Site Visit: Order Up! Advocacy Visits the Red Arrow Diner to Discuss its Regulatory Challenges

By Linwood Rayford, Assistant Chief Counsel

On November 28, Advocacy’s regulatory team visited the famous Red Arrow Diner in Manchester, New Hampshire, to see its operation and hear its regulatory concerns.

Red Arrow Diner was first opened in 1922 by David Lamontagne. After a few ownership changes the diner was purchased by Carol Lawrence in 1987. Now with four locations in the state, Red Arrow is considered a historical landmark in Manchester.

The accolades the diner has received over the years in print and on TV solidified its status as a hot spot. It was named one of the Top 10 diners in the U.S. by “USA Today” in 1998. The diner was featured on chef Guy Fieri’s TV show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” The staff can even tout that during the 2016 presidential campaign, nearly all of the candidates sat at its counter, and probably chowed down on one of the diner’s 500,000 breakfasts that they serve up annually.

When Advocacy staff visited the diner, they were greeted by the front manager, Crystal Otis, and long-time employee, Penny Kolski. The diner employs between 20 and 25 people working four shifts. Kolski, herself, has worked at the diner for more than a quarter of a century. Each server and cook prides themselves on offering the Manchester community a quality meal for a reasonable price, 24 hours per day.

On the menu of the diner’s regulatory issues included offering its employees affordable health care and labor costs such as minimum wage and overtime.

Advocacy thanks Red Arrow for allowing us to learn about their business, making us hungry for more.