GRA Weekly

July 28, 2022

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

NEW LABOR UNION WEBINAR

Join the Georgia Restaurant Association and Pat J. Hill, head of the Labor and Employment Law Practice Group at Smith, Gambrell, & Russell, to discuss the recent wave of unionization in the food service industry, the legal responsibility of employers, and the role of unions in representing workers.

Dial-in or watch live via Zoom. We invite you to submit any questions you may have when you register and we'll be sure to address them live.

Wednesday, August 10 | 2:00PM

FINAL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Final call for Nominations

The Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards return to honor the best and brightest in Georgia’s restaurant industry on September 27. Nominations are open in numerous categories honoring those who have exhibited exceptional hospitality during the year.

Peer-nominated award categories include:

Lifetime Achievement
Restaurateur of the Year
Restaurateur Rookie of the Year
Industry Partner of the Year
Hospitality Hero of the Year
Restaurant Manager of the Year
Restaurant Employee of the Year
ProStart® Student of the Year
"Georgia On My Mind" People’s Choice Awards featuring four new award categories: Favorite Neighborhood Hangout, Favorite Born and Raised Beverage, Favorite Eatertainment Experience and Uniquely Georgia. These awards are nominated and voted on by the Georgia restaurant community including guests, employees, suppliers and vendors.

Nominations can be submitted online until July 31. Winners will be announced during the GRACE Awards Gala on Tuesday, September 27 at the Georgia Aquarium. To sponsor the awards gala, please contact Sarah Thorson.

OUTSTANDING LEADER IN FOOD SAFETY AWARD

2022 Outstanding Leader in Food Safety Award Sponsored by Ecolab

The Food Safety and Quality Assurance Executive Exchange is looking for nominees for the 2022 Outstanding Leader in Food Safety Award. This award recognizes an individual who demonstrated outstanding leadership in the field of food safety and quality assurance in the restaurant industry during the past 12 months.

To apply, submit a one-page overview with all relevant information and references. Story-driven, entertaining applications are always welcome. Application deadline is August 22nd!

Apply here.

NORCROSS GRANT PROGRAM

Funds still available | City of Norcross, GA's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Small Business Grant Program

The program’s purpose is to offer financial assistance to small businesses located within Norcross city limits who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, stabilize, and sustain Norcross businesses, and ensure they are able to retain employees.

Grants may be used to pay:

Rent, lease or mortgage costs, Utility bills, Payroll, Business-related insurance, Inventory expenses including covering any loss of inventory, Other operating expenses

The grant application deadline is August 21, 2022 at 11:59PM. Learn more and Apply.

FEDERAL UPDATES

Federal Data Privacy Bill

Especially if you have a customer loyalty program, or are considering adding one, make sure you read this detailed update from our partners at National. The bill we’ve been concerned about is moving, but thankfully our team has negotiated a change to the bill to protect customer loyalty programs—a major win. We still have other concerns with the bill, however, and so National will continue to stay deeply engaged in the negotiations. And although we expect a less-than-perfect version of the bill to ultimately pass the US House, we expect to have some time before it moves in the US Senate. More to come as this develops.

Tax Hike Considered for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses: Feedback Requested

We are closely monitoring Congressional discussion on an expanded 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) for small and medium-sized businesses. Congressional Democrats are identifying proposals to raise revenue in a year-end “reconciliation” legislative package. We request your members’ feedback on the potential tax on business income above $400,000 and how it may affect restaurant operations amid ongoing economic challenges.

Please see the 1) attached summary and 2) below linked business community letter opposing the NIIT expansion from July 12. Forward any feedback to Daniel New. Read Business Opposing NIIT Expansion Letter.

Tipped worker protection bill introduced in House

Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT) introduced last week the Tipped Worker Protection Act (H.R. 8427), legislation that would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to repeal the separate minimum wage for tipped employees. According to Hayes, the bill would increase the tipped minimum wage, ensure employees retain all tips, empower employees sharing tip pools, and increase service charge transparency.

What this means for restaurants: While a number of ballot initiatives to eliminate the tip credit or increase tipped employee minimum wage are anticipated soon in several states, Hayes’ bill is a federal approach. Currently referred to the Committees on Education and Labor and Ways and Means, the legislation must pass the House and Senate.

The National Restaurant Association supports House recycling proposals

The Association joined major food and beverage companies and environmental organizations in a letter to the House Subcommittee on Environment & Climate Change leaders expressing support for the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act (H.R. 8183) and the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act (H.R. 8059). The bills seek to improve recycling accessibility in underserved communities, and data collection activities on recycling and composting rates across the country.

What this means for restaurants: Through coalition efforts, the Association is actively working to serve as a catalyst for government, industry, environmental groups, and consumers to help implement innovative ideas ensuring that discarded materials are collected and recycled into new, environmentally friendly products.