GRA Weekly

July 11, 2024

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner, Society Insurance.

FOUNDATION UPDATE

Georgia High Schools Awarded with Rachel Ray ProStart Grow Grant

We are proud to announce that Meadowcreek High School and Berkmar High School have been selected as recipients of the NRAEF’s prestigious Rachael Ray ProStart Grow Grant!

The ProStart Rachael Ray Grow Grant supports high school culinary and restaurant management programs nationwide, providing vital resources to foster the next generation of culinary professionals. This year, 2024 Georgia ProStart Champions Meadowcreek and Berkmar High Schools have distinguished themselves through their commitment to culinary education, innovative teaching methods, and the overall success of their students.

Learn more about the grant and how it will serve students in Georgia by reading our latest blog.

JOIN US FOR TEQUILA TUESDAY

Tequila Tuesday

Join us for our Tequila Tuesday fundraiser and networking event! Come enjoy a guided tequila tasting from one of the top brands in tequila, with food and drinks at Chicheria MX in Atlanta. Attendees will also have an opportunity to bid on premier bottles and hard-to-find tequila. All proceeds from the event will support the Georgia Restaurant Association, Georgia Restaurant Association PAC, and the Georgia Restaurant Association Foundation.

When: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 | 5:00PM - 8:00PM

Where: Chicheria MX | 202 Chattahoochee Row, Unit C, Atlanta, GA 30318

CHILD LABOR PROTECTIONS IN RESTAURANTS

Child Labor Protections in the Restaurant Industry

In 2023, there were over 2 million workers between the ages of 16 and 19 in the restaurant industry. As an employer, it is vital to ensure that you are providing a positive and safe work environment for children – the most vulnerable workers in the workplace.

Since 2019 alone, the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has seen an 88% increase in offenses related to child labor exploitation. To prevent violations from occurring in the first place, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) recently partnered with the DOL to host an educational webinar - keep reading for the key takeaways, plus access additional resources.

GRA ADVOCACY UPDATE

Southern Hospitality Policy Discussion

GRA President + CEO Stephanie Fischer joined an expert panel and Q&A session at Ohio River South's Southern Hospitality Policy Discussion, moderated by Atlanta Business Chronicle reporter Amy Wenk. Other panelists included Charlene Lopez, Executive VP and Chief Sales officer at the Atlanta Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (ACVB), and Tom Curry, SVP of Global Corporate Affairs at International Hotel Group (IHG).

Last fall, Governor Kemp announced that 2022 was a record-breaking year for the state’s tourism and hospitality industries. More than 160 million visitors spent almost $40 billion over the course of the year - surpassing a previous high set in 2019. Estimates suggest that as much as a quarter of the state’s GDP is attributed to guests that we welcome to our state, and more than 442,000 jobs are related to tourism and hospitality.

Highlights from the Discussion:

Convention Surge: Atlanta is set to host 21 major city-wide conventions in 2024, tying with the record year of 2014. This influx of events signals a robust period ahead for our city’s hospitality sector.
Staffing Challenges: The hospitality industry is currently grappling with staffing shortages. At the GRA, we are actively seeking solutions to address this critical issue and ensure our members can continue to thrive.
World Cup Readiness: With the upcoming World Cup, Atlanta’s hospitality industry is poised and ready to welcome global tourism.
Water Crisis Solutions: Grants are now available to restaurants affected by the recent Atlanta water crisis, providing much-needed support.
Culinary Excellence: Atlanta now boasts five Michelin-starred restaurants and two Green Star establishments, significantly increasing employment interest and showcasing the diversity of our culinary scene.
Looking Ahead: At the GRA, we are hopeful about creating sustainable career opportunities within the hospitality industry and advocating for meaningful premise liability reform in 2025.

Many thanks to the panelists and Ohio River South for hosting our team!

WHEN TO STOP SERVING ALCOHOL

When to Stop Serving Alcohol and Refuse Service

Restaurants and bars face unique risks and complexities. As an alcohol-serving establishment, your business can be especially vulnerable to legal challenges. Do your bartenders know when to stop serving patrons? Do they understand the signs of intoxication in individuals?

Society Insurance is here to address these critical questions and provide essential insights to ensure responsible alcohol service. Keep reading to learn more.

HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE LEADER IN RESTAURANTS

Ask Jill! How Restaurant Leaders Can Satisfy Both Their Boss and Their Team

“How can F&B directors better navigate leading their team while reporting to the owners and investors that are disconnected from day-to-day ops, along with solely caring about maximizing their investment? How do you navigate being stuck in the middle between ownership and investors vs. the other side, your staff?” Keep reading for the answer!

FEDERAL UPDATE

New Federal Overtime Standards Take Effect

The U.S. Department of Labor has updated regulations to extend overtime pay eligibility to salaried restaurant employees earning up to $43,888 annually, a change expected to affect about 1M additional workers across various industries, with further increases in the threshold planned. A business coalition that includes the National Restaurant Association’s legal arm and the Texas Restaurant Association had filed a lawsuit in a U.S. District Court to halt adoption of the new overtime standard. Learn more.

OSHA Proposes New Heat Illness Prevention Rule

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a proposed rule outlining steps employers would be required to take to protect indoor and outdoor workers from the risk of heat illness.

This rule applies to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work, with limited exceptions.
Public comments are due 120 days after it is posted in the Federal Register.

Overview of the Proposed Rule: The National Restaurant Association (NRA) is analyzing the rule. Employer requirements include:

Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (HIIPP): Develop and implement a plan with site-specific information to evaluate and control heat hazards.
Initial Heat Trigger Control Measures (80°F heat index): Provide cool drinking water, break areas with cooling measures, indoor work area controls, acclimatization protocols for new and returning employees, paid rest breaks if needed, and regular effective communication.
High Heat Trigger Control Measures (90°F heat index): Mandatory rest breaks of 15 minutes every two hours, observation for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, a hazard alert, and warning signs at indoor work areas with ambient temperatures that regularly exceed 120°F.
Emergency Response Plan: Develop a heat emergency response plan and take steps if an employee is experiencing signs of heat-related illness.
Training Requirements: Provide initial and annual refresher training for supervisors, heat safety coordinators, and employees.
Recordkeeping Obligations: Maintain records of indoor monitoring data for at least six months.
Cost-Free Implementation: Ensure all requirements are implemented at no cost to employees.

Next Steps:

Review the Proposed Rule: Assess its potential impact on your operations.
Provide Feedback: Because this is the first-ever nationwide heat standard, it's essential for the restaurant industry to weigh in. Please share your insights and concerns with the Association as we draft comments to submit to OSHA. Additionally, we encourage operators to submit comments once the rule is published in the Federal Register.

For More Information:

New Action Expands Loan Access for Energy-Reducing Retrofits, Solar Panel Installation

The Small Business Administration has lifted the lending cap for clean energy projects through its 504 Loan Program, which is designed to benefit small and medium businesses. The cap was previously set at $16.5M.

What this means: Restaurant operators interested in projects to reduce energy consumption through a building retrofit or to produce renewable energy will have greater access to capital.

More about the program: The 504 Program has 10-, 20-, and 25-year maturity terms available with an interest rate above the current market rate for 10-year U.S. Treasury issues.

MEET THE EXPERTS

Register Now To Attend GRA's Newest Educational Networking Event - Meet The Experts, Hosted In Partnership with NCR Voyix, Ecolab, Moore Colson, And Sysco

Meet the Experts will feature over a dozen industry experts for an evening of speed coaching and power networking. On Wednesday, August 7, 2024 from 2:00PM to 5:00PM at the NCR Voyix Headquarters, this event offers restaurant and hospitality operators the opportunity to connect one-on-one with some of the biggest restaurateurs in the business, plus experts in HR, public relations, law, accounting, licensing, insurance, and more.

How it works: Operators (restaurant/hospitality owners, managers, and restaurant leadership) can select up to five (5) topics to be paired with during the event for 15-minute sessions. Consider it an ideal opportunity to ask questions, get advice, and exchange business information to keep the conversation going in the future. It's speed coaching and power networking at its finest.

2024 ONLINE ORDERING TRENDS REPORT

Restaurant & Alcohol Online Ordering Trends

Discover the latest consumer trends in delivery, pickup, and online ordering in DoorDash’s 2024 Restaurant and Alcohol Online Ordering Trends Report. In this report, you’ll find:

Restaurant and alcohol ordering preferences from a survey of 1,500+ US consumers.
Breakdowns of consumer dining habits by gender and generation.
DoorDash data on delivery and pickup ordering, including top menu items and times of day.
Tactical advice from real-world restaurant operators.

Download the full report.

QSR EVOLUTION CONFERENCE & NEXTGEN RESTAURANT SUMMIT

QSR Evolution Conference & NextGen Restaurant Summit

The QSR Evolution Conference will focus on the needs of quick-service restaurant operators where industry leaders will hear and share perspectives on running QSRs of the future. Educational sessions focus on growth and franchising, leadership, technology, digital marketing trends, company culture, drive-thru and the changing consumer.

The NextGen Restaurant Summit is geared toward nextgen and emerging full-service brand operators. Topics covered during educational sessions cover unique restaurant experiences of the future, F&B innovation, technology, restaurant design, menu engineering and labor and employment.

When: September 4-5, 2024

Where: Atlanta Marriott Marquis

Keynote presentations will be provided by:

Burger King
Firehouse Subs
GoTo Foods
Inspire Brands
KFC
Popeyes
Tim Hortons
...and more!

As a partner of the event, we secured a discount for GRA members to attend. Use code GRA10 at checkout to save 10% on your full conference pass which will grant you access to all sessions and included receptions of the event.

LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE A RESTAURANT LEADER

Nominate a Stellar Restaurateur!

One of the key roles of the National Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation is to help raise awareness of the positive impact restaurants have in their communities and the role the industry plays in championing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nominations are now open for the Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards, which support this mission. The nomination categories are:

Inclusion Innovator Award
Community Champion Award
My Journey Award
Ambassador of Hospitality Award

Category descriptions, nomination guidelines and award FAQs can be found here. Nominations, submitted through the NRAEF platform in the link, are due by Friday, July 12.

PREPARE YOUR RESTAURANT FOR HURRICANE SEASON

National Hurricane Preparedness | June 1 - November 30, 2024

Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and runs through November 30. The Georgia Restaurant Association strongly encourages restaurant owners and operators to stay informed and be prepared as seasons are increasingly uncertain. Learn more.

Additional resources: