GRA Weekly | July 11, 2021

GRA Weekly

July 11, 2021

90 SEC FEDERAL UPDATE + SURVEY INPUT NEEDED

The National Restaurant Association has released a new 90 Second Update covering the latest from the Hill, status of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), and more.

Click here to watch the update.

The SBA recently did one last round of RRF awards, and then formally closed the program. Until Congress adds more funds to the program, the SBA will not award any more RRF grants.

The SBA released a report detailing RRF awards by state, which can be found here. Overall, roughly one in three applications received funding. Clearly, the need for assistance remains high. Next week, we will release a new fact sheet outlining the industry need for more RRF funds and why Congress needs to step in.

Click here to take a one minute survey to share what content and issues are most important to you.

80/20 PROPOSED RULE

Message from Shannon Meade, Vice President, Public Policy and Legal Advocacy regarding U.S. DOL “80/20” Proposed Rule

The Association was incredibly successful in securing a final regulation under the Trump Administration that was favorable toward restaurant owners and operators regarding the so-called “80/20 Rule,” alleviating long-standing industry concerns and compliance obligations.

Unfortunately, the Biden Administration’s Department of Labor is proposing to overturn the final rule by resurrecting the overreaching Obama position that employers can only apply a tip credit for employees spending less than 20% of their shift performing non-tipped work. The Obama policy led to mass litigation and proved completely unworkable for the industry as it left employers with the onerous task of identifying, down to the minute, the work done by tipped employees on any given shift.

Comments are due on the Biden proposal by August 23, 2021. The Association will be filing comments. Also, In an effort to build broad industry opposition to the proposed rule, we will be offering engagement opportunities for state partner and member participation. First, we will be offering a grassroots toolkit that will allow members to file pre-written comments electronically with the Department. Secondly, we are working in coordination with the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy to hold two roundtables for all interested stakeholders that will allow our members to be on the record voicing opposition to the proposed rule.

HIRING TIPS

Hiring Tips To Find The Perfect Fit

It is always important to find employees who are the right fit for your company. With the current challenges of filling your team, it can be easy to forget the factors that make a potential new employee an ideal candidate. While it can be tempting to hire the first person who is available, it is more important than ever to make sure open job positions are filled with people that have the potential to succeed in the position.

POWER CHEF'S IN GEORGIA

This year Nation’s Restaurant News readers nominated innovators culinary leaders who deserve the spotlight for their work helping to shape the industry and inspire to be featured on the 2021 Power List. These leaders in the kitchen are known for their work bringing national attention to lesser-known types of cuisine or ingredients, or thinking about their businesses in an all-new way. At a time when the industry is struggling to recover from a terrible 2020, these chefs brought inspiration and new ideas to the table.

The Georgia Restaurant Association congratulates the following Georgia Chefs -

Joey Ward, Executive Chef, Southern Belle/Georgia Boy
John C. Metz, Executive Chef, Sterling Hospitality/Marlow's Tavern/ The Woodall
Kazuya Takebe, Head Chef, JINYA Holdings
Kevin Gillespie, Chef, Red Beard Restaurants
Lenny Shou, Chef, Pijiu Belly
Mike Patrick, Culinary Director, Storico Fresco/Forza Storico/Storico Vino

Read Full List.

SMALL BUSINESS TAX CREDIT PROGRAMS

Small Business Tax Credit Programs

Did you know that the American Rescue Plan extends a number of critical tax benefits, particularly the Employee Retention Credit and Paid Leave Credit, to small businesses? The American Rescue Plan extends a number of critical tax benefits, particularly the Employee Retention Credit and Paid Leave Credit, to small businesses. Learn More.

WAGE AND HOUR CONSIDERATIONS

Wage and Hour Considerations When Reopening

Get answers on the wage and hour aspects of reopening, including reimbursement for expenses, tip pooling and tip policies, reporting time pay, payment for wellness checks, compensation for extra tasks related to virus protection and handling unvaccinated workers. The Restaurant Law Center’s Angelo Amador and attorney Eli Freedberg, partner at Littler Mendelson present. View the recording.