GRA Weekly November 10, 2022 This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner Green Line Rates. ELECTION RECAP The Georgia Restaurant Association congratulates Governor Brian Kemp on his re-election Tuesday. Governor Kemp is a true ally to the restaurant industry, and we value our continuing relationship. We would also like to congratulate all candidates who won their respective races. As a bipartisan organization we look forward to working with both Republican and Democratic elected officials on the issues of importance to our industry. To find the election results in your area and across the state, click here. As a note, the US Senate Runoff between Senator Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker will take place on Tuesday, December 6. SAVE ON ELECTRIC RATES! The Time to Save on Electricity Costs is Today The Georgia Restaurant Association fought hard for restaurants to have access to a rate that was previously only available to large, multi-unit chains. If you are a restaurant that uses Georgia Power, identifies as 722 in NAICS, and meet the actual peak demand requirement of not less than 30 kW, then you should reach out and ask about switching to the TOU-FD. We have heard testimonies from independent restaurants from across the state reporting an average savings of 10%-15% on their power bill. You may contact Georgia Power’s Business Solutions Center directly at 1-888-655-5888. If you have any questions, you can contact us and we are happy to assist to the best of our ability or connect you with a trusted partner. Background: Every 3 years, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) holds hearings regarding the electricity rates suggested by Georgia Power. In 2019, the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) filed a rate case with the PSC against Georgia Power. There are over 80 different electricity rates. Restaurants and other medium businesses pay more for a unit of electricity than residential consumers and large manufacturers. Prior to 2020, large chains and franchises paid less for a unit of electricity than an independent restaurateur. The GRA successfully petitioned opened 3,000 slots for any restaurant filed as 722 of the NAICS to have access to the lower rate. The new rate is called Time of Use Food and Drink (TOU-FD). GREEN LINE RATES SUPPORT THE FUTURE Did you know that you can generate donations while shopping, at no extra cost? Simply start your shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/85-0672071 to confirm "Georgia Restaurant Association Foundation" as your charity of choice, and AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchase price to our organization. FEDERAL UPDATES The U.S. Treasury Department has requested public comments on current trade practices within the alcohol industry. The Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco “Tax & Trade Bureau” (TTB) is seeking information on: Retail contracting practices; Purchasing incentives; “Commercial bribery,” and; Consignment sales prohibitions. The Treasury’s effort is consistent with their “Competition in the Markets for Beer, Wine, and Spirits” report issued earlier this year. Prior restaurant industry comments have included info about priorities on price, product access, and competitiveness. The comment deadline is March 9, 2023. Comments may be submitted directly to National Restaurant Association team members Laura Abshire and Aaron Frazier. Take the National Restaurant Association’s latest restaurant operator survey While the Georgia Restaurant Association and our national partner continue to advocate on behalf of the industry, please help us quantify and further illustrate how current business conditions are impacting the restaurant industry. The Association Research Group developed a brief survey designed to collect important data to inform our ongoing advocacy activities. Restaurant operators: Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. Restaurants reminded to display EEOC poster The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its “Know Your Rights” poster and is reminding covered businesses to display it in the workplace. Restaurants with at least 15 employees must place the poster in a conspicuous location. The EEOC is also advising employers with remote workers to post it electronically. What this means for restaurants: The “Know Your Rights” poster summarizes federal laws prohibiting job discrimination. Businesses that do not comply with the display requirement face fines. PREPARING FOR NATURAL DISASTERS Preparing for Natural Disasters The Georgia Restaurant Association has compiled Georgia specific information to help your restaurant be prepared for Hurricanes, Power Outages, Tornadoes and more. All these resources can be found here. In addition, the National Restaurant Association has developed a comprehensive toolkit of assets that provide restaurant-specific recommendations for what to do in advance, during, and after a natural disaster, including hurricanes, floods and wildfires. These assets incorporate best practices from official agencies (FEMA, CDC, Ready.gov) and restaurant operators. The guide is supported by DoorDash and is free to download. Click the following links to get their guide and assets. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS EEOC Releases Updated “Know Your Rights” Poster Source: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released a new “Know Your Rights” poster (dated October 20, 2022), which replaces the previous “EEO is the Law” poster. This fact sheet provides answers to frequently asked questions about the “Know Your Rights” poster. When do employers need to post by? The laws that require covered employers to post the “Know Your Rights” poster don’t provide a specific deadline for replacing the “EEO is the Law” poster with the updated “Know Your Rights” poster. Employers should remove the old poster and display the new one within a reasonable amount of time. Does this version replace the prior poster and the supplement? Yes. I printed the updated poster on October 19, 2022. Do I need to print it again? Yes. The new version of the “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster has replaced and supersedes a version uploaded on 10/19. Please use the version marked “(Revised 10/20/2022)” going forward. Can I request a printed copy from the EEOC? No. The EEOC does not provide printed copies of the poster. Employers should download and print the two-page PDF. Are federal agencies required to display the poster? Yes, federal agencies are subject to the laws requiring that the poster be displayed and have additional responsibilities to communicate equal employment opportunity policies and procedures to all employees. How do I make the poster available and accessible for individuals who are blind or visually impaired? The poster is available as a PDF that has been optimized for screen readers. Is the poster available in languages other than English? The poster is available in English and Spanish and will be available in additional languages at a later date. Where should I place the poster? Posters should be placed in a conspicuous location in the workplace where notices to applicants and employees are customarily posted. Read full press release. E-VERIFY Social Security Administration | REMINDER for E-Verify Employers Check Out Timely Information! The Social Security Administration has resumed E-Verify operations, see the chart below for preferred dates for your employee to visit SSA to resolve their Tentative Nonconfirmation (mismatch). Go here to learn more. https://www.e-verify.gov/social-security-administration-resumes-e-verify-operations OPEN ENROLLMENT Healthy Hospitality | Open Enrollment Get the coverage you need, without all the hassle. Visit https://www.hospitality-health.com/GRA or call (844) 759-0642 to get the best rates and enroll over the phone. GRANT OPPORTUNITY IFundWomen and Johnnie Walker First Strides Grant Program IFundWomen and Johnnie Walker have come together to provide support to “trailblazing” women-owned businesses that continue to push boundaries and grow, helping their businesses succeed. Ten recipients of the First Strides Grant will receive a $10,000 grant and one year of coaching services through IFundWomen. Submit your application by December 31. Apply today.

UPCOMING SERVSAFE CLASSES

UPCOMING WEBINARS + EVENTS

GRA Restaurant Industry Update Webinar, presented by Gas South Georgia Restaurant Association Wednesday, November 16 | 2:00PM Register.

HERE'S WHAT WE'RE READING

What can I do about fake restaurant reviews? Source: Restaurant Business Online Restaurant industry's labor struggles should 'rapidly decline' after midterms, Andy Puzder says Source: Fox Business ACVB Hall of Fame: Bill Bolling partnered with the hospitality industry to feed the hungry Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle

Q&A: Debra Franklin Cannon of GSU’s hospitality school Source: AJC Congratulations to GRA Board Member, Juan Calle on being named in the Atlanta Business Chronicle's 2022 40 Under 40 Class! Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle Hospitality Quarterly: Anna Hsu known for restaurant advocacy, serving others Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle

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Georgia Restaurant Association www.garestaurants.org info@garestaurants.org | (404) 467-9000