GRA Weekly | August 22, 2021

GRA Weekly

August 22, 2021

This week's newsletter is brought to you by SpotOn

NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER

On Thursday, August 19, 2021, Governor Brian Kemp issued 3 Executive Orders effective immediately and will expire at 11:59PM on September 28, 2021.

Here’s what restaurants need to know:

Restaurants who remain open meet the definition of an "organization" per the Order.
Any "organization" MUST implement measures to protect their workforce and guests. Such measures MAY be:
Voluntary implementation of any local rule, order, or ordinance.
Any measures that have been proven effective to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

ALLOWING GUESTS TO CONFIRM VACCINATION STATUS

Making Proof-of-Vaccination Requirements Easier for Restaurants

The Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to drive a surge of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths of unvaccinated individuals across the United States. In response, numerous cities, including New York and San Francisco, have enacted vaccination requirements for indoor activities in public places. For restaurants, it’s yet another challenge to overcome in the wake of dining-room closures, contact-tracing requirements, and mask mandates. Fortunately, it’s a challenge made far easier with technology. Read More.

LOCAL NEWS

Alpharetta reinstates temporary outdoor permit program

AJC - Alpharetta approved a temporary outdoor operations permit program in April 2020 which allows businesses to expand outdoor seating into city right-of-way and parking spaces to prevent indoor crowding and provide safer conditions. The program was successful with around 20 participants before ending in May 2021. To address the challenges restaurants are once again facing due to the increase in the COVID-19 incidence rate, the city council recently voted unanimously to reinstate the program for another 60 days. There is no application fee and the city inspects/responds within 48 hours of receiving the required information. Community Development staff coordinates requested tent inspections as well as ADA compliance with the Fire Marshall. Read More.

TREASURY UPDATES

Treasury Explains Treatment of Tips as Wages in ERTC

Following the recent IRS announcement, the Treasury Department recently released new guidance allowing businesses to claim tips paid by customers in excess of $20 per month as eligible wages when calculating the Employee Retention Tax Credit.

This is welcome news after the National Restaurant Association worked with Congress and the Administration to clarify eligible wages and tips. It also provides guidance on several other issues with respect to the ERTC for 2020 and 2021, responding to questions frequently asked of the Treasury and IRS.

ASSOCIATION UPDATES

Association Urges Competitive Rates on Transaction Fees to Support Operators

Whether made through mobile apps, delivery services, or over the phone, card-not-present (CNP) transactions have helped restaurants stay in business during the pandemic, yet operators have paid higher interchange fees than normal to accommodate in-demand off-premises dining services. In a letter to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors last week on its recent Notice of proposed rulemaking on Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing, the Association addressed the unfair practice toward CNP transactions and how banks and card networks have generally continued to fall short of their obligations to offer competitive rates to restaurants and other merchants when fulfilling debit card transactions.

Infrastructure Bill Includes Cut to ERTC Claim Period

The Senate’s $1.2 T infrastructure package reauthorizes spending on existing federal public-works programs and to fund improvements to the electrical grid and water projects. Unfortunately, the bill also includes a provision to end the Employee Retention Tax Credit on Sept. 30 instead of Dec. 31. The bill is in the House for consideration.

“Our industry continues to languish with an uncertain workforce, rising food costs, and the threat of new pandemic mandates,” said Sean Kennedy, EVP of Public Affairs for the Association. And while the Association applauds Congress for the infrastructure bill, the fact that it shortens the use of one of the only recovery tools available to restaurant operators—the Employee Retention Tax Credit—increases our need for Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

LEADING A TEAM DURING CHALLENGING SEASONS

When a challenging season hits, leaders must rise to the occasion — and that includes with regards to how they lead their team. From advance preparation, to executing strategy and caring for wounded teammates, there are lessons to be learned from the battlefield. That’s why we’re inviting Navy SEAL Commander Rorke Denver into a conversation about leadership for our next Unstoppable Cultures event.

Rorke believes when you are a leader, people will at a minimum, mimic your behavior. Often, they amplify it. As a leader, you must remain calm when the going gets tough to truly set the tone. In this free webinar, Ginger Hardage, former SVP of Culture and Communications at Southwest Airlines, will let you in on a conversation with Rorke about how to find your calm, bring out the best in your teammates, and adopt a victory mindset.

Thursday, September 9, 2021 | 12:00 PM

TYPES OF INSURANCE YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS

Types of Insurance Your Business Needs

Running a business is hard. Add in the potential for fires, slips and falls and cyberattacks, and it’s easy to see the need for the best possible insurance and people in your corner. Fortunately, there are many policy coverages available to protect your livelihood. Society Insurance has detailed four critical types of insurance protection that hospitality businesses need. Read More.

CHART 100 HOSPITALITY TRAINING CONFERENCE

The Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART) is holding an in-person Hospitality Training Conference in Atlanta, GA this September 18-21. This promises to be a dynamic event with relevant, focused content that hospitality professionals need now. A blend of keynote sessions, breakouts, and an interactive Live Ask My Peers will feature topics like recruitment and retention strategies, creating high performing teams, delivering training and certifications, and crafting effective instructional design.

September 18-21, 2021 | Grand Hyatt Buckhead

ACT NOW TO STOP NEW 80/20 TIP RULE!

URGENT: DOL Wants to Impose an 80/20 Rule! Help us tell them NO!

On June 21, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it intends to change certain regulations that apply to tipped employees. Specifically, the DOL proposes to implement an 80/20 Rule. Which means that:

Tipped employees won’t be allowed to spend more than 30 consecutive minutes or 20% of their time on tasks that directly support tip-producing work, such as a waiter wiping tables after customers leave or bartenders preparing garnishes for drinks.

Employers will need to track tipped employees working time through three categories: time spent on tasks that produce tips, time spent on tasks directly supporting tip-producing work, and time spent on tasks that are not part of the “tipped” occupation.

Limits will be placed on taking the tip credit based on the category of work performed and taking a tip credit won't be allowed for any time spent on work that the DOL considers not part of the tipped occupation.

DOL needs to hear from YOU! Your voice is critical to preventing the federal government from issuing rules that would be damaging to an industry still recovering from pandemic revenue loss and facing further uncertainty due to potential COVID-19 variants and evolving guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Please let the Department of Labor know that you oppose rule changes for tipped employees by completing our grassroots message campaign today!

TAKE ACTION NOW!

REST IN PEACE

Nancy Kathryn Jackson Goodrich, passed away Friday, August 13, 2021 at the age of 64. Nancy is survived by her husband Colman Goodrich, her cats Ally and Junior, sisters Sherry Hart and Maggie Virgil (Brad) and brother, Tom Jackson (Tiphany), nieces and nephews Caitlin Mutz (Garrett), Taylor Virgil (Lauren), Cathrine Jackson, Chandler Jackson (Corynne), and Christian Jackson. Nancy was born on September 17,1956 to William C. Jackson and Eleanor C. Jackson. Nancy fought a short battle with cancer and never gave up. Her hope to return to her beloved restaurant, Southern Bistro was what kept her fighting the battle. Nancy opened her restaurant in Sandy Springs 16 years ago, Nancy G's Cafe and Bistro, later rebranding it Southern Bistro. Her husband, Colman, worked alongside Nancy to build Southern Bistro into a legacy. Nancy's restaurant won numerous awards and accolades including the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce 2018 Restaurant of the Year and the Sandy Springs 2021 Best Brunch. Most importantly to Nancy, you were never a stranger when you walked through the doors. She welcomed everyone, even all the puppies on the patio with her loving grace. Nancy created an inviting family-friendly place continually supporting her community. Nancy was a strong supporter of the police and fire departments along with a host of charities. During the pandemic when most restaurants were closing their businesses, her "neighborhood" family came together to ensure Southern Bistro did not become a Covid-casualty. This is a true testament to Nancy and how she was truly loved by her community. Nancy was honored by VP Mike Pence for her tireless and creative commitment to her community and staff during Covid. Southern Bistro "General Store" was available to provide paper products and grocery items to those in need. A service to honor Nancy is scheduled at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 25 at the Sandy Springs Heritage Auditorium, 6110 Blue Stone Rd, Sandy Springs 30328. In lieu of flowers, donations and condolences may be offered to Longleaf Hospice, 2310 Parklake Drive, Atlanta, GA 30345.