TSC ASSOCIATES LLC

What TSC ASSOCIATES LLC does

TSC Associates LLC is a privately-held, founder/management-owned compliance training company headquartered in Dothan, Alabama, founded in 2009. It is approved by the National Restaurant Association as Certified ServSafe Instructor/Proctors and ServSafe Alcohol Instructor/Proctors, and operates what it describes as the largest independent ServSafe training program in the Southeast United States. The company's core product is regulated food-safety and responsible-alcohol-service certification, delivered across four course families: Food Manager Certification, Food Handler Course, Alcohol Service Course, and Allergens Course, plus state-specific programs including the Alabama Responsible Vendor Program (which TSC authored and the Alabama ABC Board approved in 2011), Florida SafeStaff (DBPR-contracted), and a South Carolina ServSafe Alcohol course aligned with mandatory server training requirements effective January 1, 2026.

The underlying technology stack is a learning management system fronted by an e-commerce website, with online exams secured through ProctorU's remote-proctoring infrastructure (including the Guardian Browser) and a livestream training platform requiring webcam/microphone participation. All certifications are issued digitally, and credentials are organized through user accounts on the platform. Course content is developed by the National Restaurant Association; TSC's differentiation rests on delivery, instructor quality, and multi-state regulatory positioning rather than proprietary technology.

TSC monetizes through a low-ticket, high-volume mix: one-time course purchases at $12–$185 (Food Handler $15, Allergens $12–$23.99, Alcohol $29, Food Manager online $94–$174, in-person Food Manager $145–$185, livestream Food Manager $155, South Carolina Alcohol $39), registration fees for scheduled in-person classes at venues across the Southeast (Virginia to Mississippi), and private on-site enterprise training. The customer base spans individual food-service workers buying self-serve online courses, SMBs booking regional classes, and enterprise accounts (including Sodexo, Hilton, Marriott, Tyson, Publix, Domino's, Zaxby's, Whataburger, Murphy USA, AMC, Chick-fil-A, Cracker Barrel, Aramark) using TSC for cohort certification. Go-to-market is a hybrid of self-serve e-commerce, content marketing via the "Food Safety Bites" blog, association-driven demand (board roles at the Alabama and Georgia restaurant associations), and direct sales for enterprise on-site engagements. The firm has not raised external funding and reports no acquisitions or restructuring events.

Name

TSC ASSOCIATES LLC

Legal name

TSC Associates LLC

Website

https://tscassociates.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TSC Associates LLC is a privately-held ServSafe certification provider headquartered in Dothan, Alabama, delivering food safety, alcohol service, allergen, and state-specific compliance training to hospitality employers and individual food-service workers across the Southeast U.S. and online nationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Safety Training & Certification

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Safety, Sanitation & HACCP Training (EDAOAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Gluten-Free & Allergen-Free Certification Services (AFALAMAH)

Keywords

• Food safety certification
• ServSafe training
• Alcohol service training
• Allergen training programs
• Food handler certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Dothan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Online Course Sales: One-time purchase of online courses for Food Manager, Food Handler, Alcohol Service, and Allergen certifications. Online courses expire after one year from purchase or 60-90 days from launch/completion.
2. In-Person Training Registration: Registration fees for in-person Food Manager certification courses held at various venues across the Southeast. Includes options with or without textbook.
3. Alabama Responsible Vendor Program: On-site training for alcohol service staff at client establishments, with custodian of records service included. Provides both on-premise and off-premise licensee training approved by Alabama ABC Board.
4. Private Group Training: Customized on-site training sessions for businesses, where TSC instructors travel to client locations to provide training for entire teams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

TSC Associates delivers ServSafe-based food safety, food handler, alcohol service, and allergen training and certification programs for the hospitality industry. Courses are delivered through online self-paced modules, livestream instructor-led sessions with remote proctoring, in-person classes across the Southeast US, and private on-site corporate engagements. State-specific programs include the Florida SafeStaff course, the Alabama Responsible Vendor Program, and the South Carolina ServSafe Alcohol course.

Product overview

TSC Associates LLC offers a suite of ServSafe certification and training programs for the food service and hospitality industry. The core offerings include Food Manager Certification (available as Online Partial Package, Hybrid Combo, and Online Full Package), Food Handler Training, Alcohol Service Certification, and Allergens Courses. State-specific programs include Florida SafeStaff and Alabama Responsible Vendor Program. Training is delivered through in-person classes at locations across the Southeast U.S., online self-paced courses, and live stream instructor-led sessions. All programs are developed by the National Restaurant Association and taught by Certified ServSafe Instructor/Proctors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Manager Certification (ServSafe) ANSI-certified ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification program providing comprehensive 6-hour training and proctored examination for food service managers in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, and other food service establishments. Offered in three tiers: Online Partial Package ($94), Hybrid Combo with textbook ($144), and Online Full Package ($174). Certification valid for five years with passing score of 70% or higher.
• Food Handler Course ServSafe Food Handler certification training ($15) covering basic food safety, personal hygiene, time and temperature control, and cross-contamination prevention. Delivered online in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese with three assessment attempts. Certification valid for three years.
• Alcohol Service Course ServSafe Alcohol Online Course ($29) providing fundamentals of responsible alcohol service through a mobile-enabled 4-hour program with interactive exercises, audio, video, and role-play activities. Offered in English and Spanish with non-proctored primary exam and 90-day completion window from start date.
• Allergens Course ServSafe Allergens training covering allergen fundamentals, front/back of house safety, and emergency response including anaphylaxis and epinephrine administration. Includes the Big Nine allergens (adding sesame seeds). Available without exam for $12 or with exam for $23.99; 90-day completion window. Not accepted in Massachusetts.
• Florida SafeStaff Course State-required online food safety training for Florida food service workers meeting Florida Statutes Chapter 509.049 requirements. Provides a foodhandler certificate, wallet card, and DBPR database registration. SafeStaff DBPR approval Number 1752486. Pricing available by contacting TSC Associates.
• Alabama Responsible Vendor Program Alabama ABC Board-approved alcohol handler certification program for both on-premise and off-premise licensees. Covers effects of alcohol, law, ID checking, and discontinuing service. Delivered on-site at client establishments with custodian of records service. Pricing by quote.
• South Carolina ServSafe Alcohol Online Course & Exam Responsible alcohol service training ($39) meeting South Carolina's mandatory server training requirements effective January 1, 2026. Includes state-specific content, online proctored exam, and ABL Server License guidance.
• Livestream Food Manager Course Live instructor-led Food Protection Manager Certification ($155) delivered via streaming, teaching 2022 FDA Food Code principles and preparing students for the ServSafe Manager Examination with ProctorU remote proctoring. Includes TSC Associates digital study guide, 130-question practice exam, and live instructor. Requires webcam and microphone.
• In-Person Food Manager Certification Course Scheduled in-person Food Manager certification courses held at hotels and venues across Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, and other nearby states. Includes 6-hour comprehensive instruction plus proctored exam. Priced at $185 with 9th edition ServSafe textbook or $145 without textbook.

Quantifiable outcome

• Certification valid for 5 years upon completion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• V3 Media GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Digital marketing and web development partner providing website development, SEO, social media advertising, and digital marketing campaign support.
• 3P AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Professional disinfection and protection services provider using non-toxic solutions for healthier spaces and workplace safety compliance.
• National Restaurant AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSC Associates is approved by the National Restaurant Association as Certified ServSafe Instructor/Proctors and ServSafe Alcohol Instructor/Proctors. ServSafe courses are developed by the National Restaurant Association and are the most widely recognized food safety certification program in the US.
• Alabama ABC BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSC Associates has one of the few Responsible Vendor programs in Alabama accepted by the Alabama ABC Board for both on-premise and off-premise licensees. TSC wrote the RVP that was approved by the Alabama ABC Board in 2011.
• South Carolina Department of RevenuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSC provides ServSafe Alcohol Online Course & Exam - South Carolina approved by the South Carolina Department of Revenue to meet new mandatory server training requirements effective January 1, 2026.
• ProctorUcoreTechnology or IntegrationRemote proctoring service used for online ServSafe Manager examinations. Test-takers use ProctorU's Guardian Browser for secure online exam proctoring.
• Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJudy Shimoda-Stiff serves as board member of the Alabama Restaurant Association. Thomas Hallford is founding President of the Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association Wiregrass Chapter.
• Georgia Restaurant AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThomas Hallford serves on the board of the Georgia Restaurant Association.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• TAP Series: Workforce training marketplace selling food safety and alcohol certification courses to hospitality employers. Competes with TSC's private on-site corporate training channel rather than its consumer-facing catalog.
• SafeStaff (Florida): DBPR's contracted food handler training provider in Florida, operating under ServSafe partnership. Direct competitor inside TSC's Florida state-specific product line.

Direct peers

• Learn2Serve: Owned by 360training but operating as a distinct brand, Learn2Serve sells ServSafe manager/handler/alcohol courses online to individuals and corporate accounts. Overlaps TSC's online self-serve catalog.
• AAA Food Handler: Approved ServSafe competitor with state-specific food handler and manager courses, including Florida programs. Direct rival for TSC's online and employer-bundled offerings.
• Always Food Safe: National ServSafe-Approved provider of food safety, food handler, and allergen training via online and on-site formats. Competes head-to-head on enterprise contracts and individual course sales.
• eFoodHandlers: Online food handler certification provider operating in multiple states with ANSI-accredited programs; competes directly on the $15 Food Handler price-point and employer volume contracts.
• StateFoodSafety: Approved ServSafe provider offering online food manager, food handler, and alcohol courses state-by-state with the same NRA certification stack TSC delivers. Closest product-for-product comparison.

Broad incumbents

• 360training: Large private-equity-backed compliance e-learning platform that sells ServSafe and food-safety courses alongside OSHA, HR, and safety training to enterprises and individuals. Most direct scaled competitor to TSC's self-serve online channel.
• Prometric / ServSafe (National Restaurant Association): The NRA-owned ServSafe brand and its exam delivery partner define the certification that TSC delivers; not a customer-facing peer so much as the program owner and the dominant source of brand awareness for the category.

Others

• National Registry of Food Safety Professionals: ANSI-accredited certifying body that administers the Food Protection Manager exam used by ServSafe and other programs; an ecosystem counterpart rather than a direct training competitor, but a gatekeeper for the manager-level credential.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tsc-associates-llc1

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TSC ASSOCIATES LLC