GRA Weekly

September 28, 2023

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner, Melissa Libby & Associates

2023 GRACE AWARDS NOMINATIONS ARE CLOSING SOON!

Don't Delay - Nominate Today! Nominations will close on Tuesday, October 10

The Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards return to honor the best and brightest in Georgia’s restaurant industry on Thursday, November 30. Nominations are open in numerous categories honoring those who have exhibited exceptional hospitality throughout the year - or their entire career.

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.

Winners will be announced during the GRACE Awards Gala on Thursday, November 30 at the Georgia Aquarium. Interested in sponsoring the awards gala? Please contact Sarah Thorson.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

WABE EXCLUSIVE WITH KAREN BREMER + STEPHANIE FISCHER

WABE Radio - Jim Burress interview with Karen Bremer + Stephanie Fischer

This week, longtime GRA President + CEO, Karen Bremer, and incoming GRA President + CEO, Stephanie Fischer, joined WABE’s “All Things Considered” to talk about what the last few years have meant for restaurants in Georgia, and what’s next for the industry.

Fischer will succeed Bremer, who recently announced her retirement after 14 years with the organization and 50 years in the hospitality industry.

“My big thing is getting out and meeting our members, meeting different restaurants throughout the state, meeting our local governments throughout the state, to find out what’s going on,” said Fischer. Listen to the full interview.

WHISKEY WEDNESDAY PAC FUNDRAISER

Whiskey Wednesday

Join Us for our Whiskey Wednesday PAC fundraiser and networking event! Come enjoy a guided whiskey tasting from Bardstown Bourbon, one of the top brands in bourbon, with food and drinks at Hobnob in Dunwoody.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to bid on premier bottles of hard-to-find bourbon and whiskey. All proceeds from the event will support the Georgia Restaurant Association Political Action Committee.

HOBNOB Dunwoody

Wednesday, October 18 | 5:00PM - 8:00PM

RESTAURANT OPERATIONS SURVEY

Restaurant Operations Survey

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) Research Group is excited to announce an update to the Restaurant Operations Report, the most widely recognized source of restaurant operating data in the U.S.

Based on survey data from restaurant operators nationwide, this report contains key industry metrics such as profit margins, labor cost ratios and food cost ratios. This report will allow you to see how your restaurant compares to others on key operational metrics.

Even more importantly, the data collected for this report will allow us to better quantify the impact that legislative/regulatory proposals will have on the industry. More than any other data source, this report helps us tell the story of the restaurant industry to policy makers on the national, state and local levels.

All survey respondents will receive a free electronic copy of the Restaurant Operations Report.

TAKE THE SURVEY

RETIRING GRA CHIEF OPTIMISTIC ABOUT INDUSTRY'S FUTURE

Retiring Georgia Restaurant Association chief optimistic about industry’s future

AJC - Karen Bremer keeps a small plaque on her desk that says, “Only those who see the invisible can do the impossible.” Bremer picked it up a few years ago at a bookstore. “It said so much to me about faith and hope,” she said. It’s also a succinct way to describe Bremer’s more than 45 years in the restaurant and hospitality business, from her first job at 15 as a clerk at an S&S Cafeteria to her current role as president and CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association. Continue reading.

THE FALLACY OF THE "SOFT OPENING"

The Fallacy of the “Soft Opening”

Once upon a time long, long ago, in the world of rotary dial phones, TVs with three channels, and World Book Encyclopedias, a restaurant could have a “soft opening.” They would post a sign on the door and random passersby would stop in and try it. Having a nice experience, these people would tell a few friends who would come in and have a nice time and then tell their friends.

Until one day, a few weeks later, things are buzzing along and it’s time to do the grand opening party, tell the media and invite the general public....Continue reading.

ATLANTA WORKS CONFERENCE

Atlanta Works Conference is Now Virtual!

The Georgia Restaurant Association is proud to partner with SHRM-Atlanta on the, now virtual, Atlanta Works Conference, providing tools and resources to help you navigate the people side of your business. The conference will take place on Tuesday, October 10 and will offer even more content for only $179. The day will consist of four live sessions and additional on-demand sessions. Use code GRA-ATLANTAWORKS23 to receive the new, lower price AND three months of SHRM-Atlanta membership!

We want to support your business goals and decrease your stress. During this event, you'll learn from real-world HR practitioners and legal counsel, and walk away ready to maximize your team's success. Join us virtually on Tuesday, October 10 for a unique experience created with you in mind. View the Agenda and register he re.

Tuesday, October 10 | 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Use code GRA-ATLANTAWORKS23 to receive the new, lower price AND three months of SHRM-Atlanta membership!

GRA ADVOCACY UPDATE

ICYMI: Senate Workforce Committee Meets in Commerce

On Tuesday, September 19, GRA Vice President of Government Affairs, Scott Bierman, attended the fourth meeting of the Senate Study Committee on Expanding Georgia’s Workforce in Commerce. The committee heard a wide range of testimony from the healthcare industry, manufacturing industry, and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper delivered testimony speaking to issues such as rural development, immigration and the labor market, and the rise of technology in the workplace. To learn more about the committee’s work, click here.

To learn more about the GRA's Advocacy work around the state, contact Dedan McFadden, Local Advocacy Coordinator.

FEDERAL UPDATE

IRS orders moratorium on new ERC claims; urges vigilance against scammers and predatory marketers

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a moratorium on new Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims filings beginning September 14, 2023 through December 31, 2023. This is unfortunately due to continued challenges with fraud/predatory scams and a focus on protecting legitimate business owners. Previously filed ERC claims will still be processed during the pause but will take longer due to the increased scrutiny and review of the documentation.The IRS urges business owners to remain vigilant against fraudsters and often “aggressive promoters and marketing” claiming they can assist business owners with filings. Restaurants should seek guidance from qualified tax professionals to navigate the complexity of the ERC and ensure accurate filings.

Georgia Department of Revenue | Sales & Use Tax Rates Effective October 1, 2023

The Georgia Department of Revenue has posted the upcoming quarterly sales and use tax rate changes effective Sunday, October 1, 2023.

County affected: Rockdale

Visit Georgia DOR’s website for current, historical, and upcoming sales and use tax rate charts.

IRS: Georgia taxpayers impacted by Idalia qualify for tax relief; October 16, 2023 deadline, other dates postponed to February 15, 2024

This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by Idalia in 28 of the state's 159 counties in Georgia. These taxpayers now have until February 15, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. This is similar to relief already being provided in Florida and South Carolina.

The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) See the full list of eligible localities here.

LAST CHANCE TO SAVE: SERVSAFE FOOD SAFETY MONTH

WEEK 5 | Building a culture of Food Safety

We spilled the tea on food safety, and we hope we were able to crack the code on common food safety misconceptions.

FREE Resources:

DINING WITH GRATITUDE

Dining with Gratitude This October

Calling all Georgia restaurants and food service establishments! This October, help Giving Kitchen (GK) raise critical funds and vital awareness by participating in Dining With Gratitude. The ask from GK is simple:

1) pledge at least $1,000 for food service workers in crisis through a direct donation or percentage of sales,

2) tell your staff about Giving Kitchen at lineup

3) in October, share with your customers you’re stepping up to support food services workers in crisis and invite them to dine with gratitude - they will send you a package for promotion kit in September. Register and find more details here.