Case Study
Restaurant Beatrice’s Path to B Certification
Timeline of Certification Journey: January 2024 – October 2024
Overview
Restaurant Beatrice, a beloved Cajun and Creole restaurant in Dallas, Texas, sought to formalize its commitment to sustainability and social impact by becoming a Certified B Corporation. Despite initial setbacks, we helped them navigate the rigor of the entire process, refining their operational transparency and aligning their charitable giving initiatives with B Lab’s requirements. On October 22, 2024, Beatrice achieved B Certification with a score of 89.5, positioning itself as a leader in the independent, full-service restaurant industry with environmentally responsible and community-driven business practices.
The Challenge: Navigating the B Certification Process
✔ Delays and Backlogs: Despite submitting early, Beatrice faced long wait times for Verification.
✔ Scoring Hurdles: The removal of their selected impact business model, Arts, Media, & Culture, dropped their score to 71.9—too low for Certification.
✔ Emotional and Financial Strain: The failed first attempt left Beatrice frustrated and uncertain about the next steps.
The Solution: A Strategic Roadmap to Certification
We partnered with Restaurant Beatrice to:
✔ Identify a new impact business model—shifting to Designed to Give, which recognized their intentional identity rooted in charitable giving initiatives.
✔ Develop a structured donation tracking system to align with B Lab’s standards.
✔ Strengthen documentation for supplier transparency, operational policies, and sustainability initiatives.
✔ Remove unnecessary impediments for their success on the second attempt.
The Impact: Results and Business Benefits
✔ B Certification Achieved: Restaurant Beatrice officially became a Certified B Corporation in October 2024.
✔ Stronger Business Practices: Enhanced tracking of sustainability initiatives and social impact.
✔ Brand Differentiation and Community Trust: Gained recognition as a sustainability leader, with coverage from The Dallas Morning News and Eater Dallas.
✔ Team Engagement and Purpose: Employees took pride in working for a mission-driven business.
Lessons Learned and Advice for Other Restaurants
1️⃣ Achieving B Certification is a journey. Be prepared for roadblocks, while knowing that a strong mission and clear roadmap can guide the way.
2️⃣ Adaptability is key. If one path doesn’t work, pivot to another—just as Beatrice did with Designed to Give.
3️⃣ Having the right partner makes all the difference. We helped Beatrice navigate challenges and achieve success.
Chef Michelle’s Perspective:
Jeffrey advocated for our business and industry while having a clear map of the channels the B Impact Assessment is based on. He finds purpose in what he does and is committed to the values of sustainability and equality that our business adopts.
For Restaurant Beatrice, achieving B Certification was more than a milestone—it was a strategic step toward a more sustainable and purpose-driven future.