If you run a restaurant anywhere in the United States, you know the rule: You need a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on staff.

Whether you are in Texas, California, Florida, or Illinois, health departments nationwide adhere to the FDA Food Code, which mandates that at least one person in charge (often during every shift) must hold a valid Food Manager Certification. Failure to have one isn’t just a safety risk—it’s a compliance violation that can lead to negative inspection scores, fines, or even closure.

But here is the most common misconception in our industry: Many restaurant owners think they are legally required to use ServSafe®.

They aren’t.

The “ServSafe Myth” vs. The Reality

ServSafe® is a brand, not a government agency. The actual legal requirement is that your manager passes an exam accredited by the ANSI-National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and the Conference for Food Protection (CFP).

As long as the exam is ANAB-CFP accredited, it is valid nationwide. At ACE Restaurant Manager Training, we provide testing through FMC (Food Managers Certification), which holds the exact same accreditation standing. The certificate you get from us is just as legal, just as valid, and recognized by health departments across the country.

The difference? We don’t just hand you a textbook and wish you luck.

Three Ways We Train (Because Every Manager Learns Differently)

We know that restaurant managers are some of the busiest people on the planet. You don’t have time to decipher a dense manual on your own. That’s why we offer three distinct training paths to get you (or your team) certified:

1. Weekly Live Webcasts (English & Spanish)

This is our most popular option for a reason. Instead of a boring slide-click-through course, you can join a live, weekly webinar.

• Real Instructors: Ask questions in real-time and get immediate answers.

• Bilingual Support: We offer full sessions in both English and Spanish, ensuring your Spanish-speaking kitchen leads get the exact same quality of education as your front-of-house managers.

• Compliance Focused: We zero in on the specific topics you need to pass the exam and keep your customers safe.

2. Self-Paced Online Training

Need to get it done at 2 AM after closing? No problem. Our online training allows you to move through the material at your own speed, pausing and resuming whenever your schedule allows.

3. In-Person Classes

For those who prefer a traditional classroom setting, we host scheduled in-person sessions. These are perfect for teams who want to knock out their training and testing in a single day without distractions.

Testing & Proctoring: We Handle It All

Getting trained is half the battle; taking the proctored exam is often the hardest part logistically. We’ve streamlined this process to be as painless as possible.

• FMC Testing: We utilize the FMC exam, which is fully accredited and widely recognized.

• Flexible Proctoring: You don’t need to hunt for a testing center. We provide proctoring services directly. Whether you are taking the exam online after our webinar or sitting for it in our in-person class, we oversee the process to ensure it’s official and compliant.

More Than Just a Certificate

We are called ACE Restaurant Manager Training for a reason. We aren’t just a “test prep” company; we are a management training company.

While our competitors stop at food safety, we go further. Our mission is to equip you with the tools to run a better business—from hiring and interviewing strategies to inventory management and food cost control. When you train with ACE, you aren’t just checking a box for the health inspector; you’re investing in leadership skills that drive profit.

Get Certified with ACE

Don’t settle for the “default” option just because it’s a big brand name. Choose the training that offers live support, bilingual options, and a genuine focus on your success as a manager.

Click here to view our schedule and book your training today.