GRA Weekly

April 18, 2024

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner, Moore Colson

2024 PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE RECAP

GRA Advocates for Restaurants at National Public Affairs Conference

GRA leadership, including President + CEO Stephanie Fischer, VP Government Affairs Scott Bierman, VP Development Sarah Thorson and GRA Board Members Justin Triplett (MBC Concessions), Alexis Kinsey (Fork U Concepts), Mike Dixon (GoTo Foods), Camila Knowles (Chick-fil-A), Melissa Libby (MLA), Libby Sharp (Inspire Brands), Faith Vaughan (Ray's Restaurants) and Bud Whitmire (Waffle House), and several GRA members from Chick-fil-A and Inspire Brands spearheaded advocacy efforts at the 2024 Restaurants Act Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C. this week. Meeting with Georgia's congressional representatives - including Senator Raphael Warnock, Senator Jon Ossoff's Staff, Congressman Mike Collins' Staff, Congressman Buddy Carter, Congressman Austin Scott, and Congressman Andrew Clyde - they pushed for critical industry policies such as managing credit card swipe fees, opposing the FTC’s ban on restaurant surcharges, and maintaining the current tipping system. These direct engagements help shape legislation that directly supports the restaurant industry. Read more.

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER: WINE DOWN BY THE RIVER

Last Chance to Register: Wine Down by the River

Join the GRA on the banks of the Chattahoochee River next week for Wine Down by the River, a special reception in support of the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Political Action Committee and the Georgia Restaurant Association Political Action Committee. Through your attendance and support, we are able to reach candidates who will advance a pro-restaurant pro-business legislative agenda, fight onerous legislation, and address the issues that are most important to you.

Tuesday, April 23 | 5:00PM - 7:00PM

Canoe | 4199 Paces Ferry Rd, Atlanta

Interested in sponsoring? Contact Sarah Thorson to learn more.

GRA ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

GRA Annual Golf Tournament

Join us on May 7 at the Atlanta National Golf Club for the 13th Annual GRA Golf Tournament. Have fun, network and perfect your chip shot as we take to the golf course. The GRA Golf Tournament is a classic combination of business development, networking, sport, relaxation, and philanthropy. Attendees include restaurateurs, corporate executive leadership and restaurant industry vendors, suppliers, & service providers.

Network, showcase, and be recognized for your support of the Georgia Restaurant Association and our restaurant community, through this annual event.

Tuesday, May 7 | 9:00AM - 6:00PM

Atlanta National Golf Club, Milton

Questions or interested in sponsoring? Contact Sarah Thorson to learn more.

GRA ANNOUNCES 2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GRA Announces 2024 Board of Directors

The Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) is pleased to announce the organization’s Board of Directors for 2024. Officers from 2023 have committed to continue serving in 2024 with the transition of newly appointed president and CEO Stephanie Fischer. The executive committee includes board chair Justin Triplett, president and CEO for MBC Concessions; past chair Hank Clark, vice president of operations for Marlow’s Tavern and the Woodall; vice chair Alexis Kinsey, co-founder for Fork U Concepts; newly appointed treasurer Mike Dixon, chief financial officer for GoTo Foods; and secretary Joseph Hsiao, founder of H Restaurant Group. Get to know our newest board members here.

THE PREMIER ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR RESTAURANTS

HOSPITALITY ICON HONORED BY GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Georgia State University To Award Honorary Doctorate To Hospitality Icon And Industry Advocate Regynald Washington

We are delighted to celebrate industry icon Regynald Washington, who will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration degree by Georgia State University (GSU) on May 2, 2024, at the commencement ceremony for the institution’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Washington’s unwavering support of the Georgia Restaurant Association, philanthropic efforts, and selfless mentorship are a testament to his contributions to the hospitality industry. Continue reading.

IS MY RESTAURANT LIABLE FOR ISSUES WITH DONATED FOOD

Is My Restaurant Liable for Issues with Donated Food?

"Dear Advice Guy,

We are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. On Sundays, we deep clean and most of the prepped and perishable food either needs to be taken home or thrown away. I asked my manager whether I could drop it off at a shelter near my house and he said no, due to liability. Is this accurate? I don’t see us getting sued for donating salad greens, leftover rice, minced shallots, etc. But there’s only so much I can use at home!"

– Fine-dining server

Read the answer here.

HAVE YOU FILED YOUR CLAIM YET?

Restaurant Operators May be Eligible Settlement Funds

The Payment Card Settlement is the biggest antitrust class-action settlement in history and sets aside about $6B for millions of U.S. merchants who for years paid artificially inflated Visa and Mastercard interchange fees. If your restaurant accepted Visa and/or Mastercard at any time between Jan. 1, 2004, to Jan. 25, 2019, then you are likely a member of the class settlement and entitled to a share of the settlement.

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the Restaurant Law Center recently hosted a webinar on the “Payment Card Settlement: What it Means for Restaurant Operators.” A recording of this webinar and a copy of the power point presentation can be found here.

The claim window is open: The deadline to submit a claim either through the physical mailer or online is May 31, 2024. Go to www.paymentcardsettlement.com to submit a claim before the deadline.

Submitting a claim is easy: The claim process was designed to take only 5 to 15 minutes. The portal should even autofill most information when submitting the individual’s “Claimant ID” and “Control Number” found in the claim letter or by submitting the business’s Tax ID, if the claim letter is not available.

FEDERAL UPDATE

Bipartisan Senate Vote Supports Joint Employer Resolution; Veto Anticipated

Last week, the US Senate passed a resolution to overturn the controversial joint employer rule issued last year by the National Labor Relations Board. The resolution also passed in the US House. Despite this legislative success, President Biden has indicated he will veto the resolution. Meanwhile, legal efforts continue with the Texas Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association having successfully secured a temporary halt on enforcing the new rule, pending further appeals. The hospitality industry currently operates under the previous rule. Read more.

New Data Privacy Bill Raises Concerns

New legislation, called the American Privacy Rights Act of 2024 (APRA), aims to establish a comprehensive national framework for consumer data privacy and security.

The bill, introduced by a bipartisan, bicameral team—Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Cantwell (D-WA) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)—would establish national consumer data privacy rights and set standards for data security for qualifying organizations.

Where we stand: The NRA continues to be in favor of a reasonable data privacy bill that would preempt the existing patchwork of state laws, but APRA contains several poison pills.

Specifically, the bill would threaten a restaurant’s ability to maintain loyalty programs and reach its customers through targeted advertising.
Additionally, the bill does not go far enough to ensure this federal law would preempt state laws, and it unfortunately includes a private right of action as a key enforcement mechanism.

What’s next: The legislation is being referred to by some as a “discussion draft,” and its path forward in this Congress is uncertain. However, the NRA will continue to work with like-minded trade organizations and stakeholders on Capitol Hill to convey concerns with the bill and educate members on its potential impact.

US DOL Issues Final Rule to Clarify Rights to Employee Representation During OSHA Inspections

The U.S. Department of Labor today published a final rule clarifying the rights of employees to authorize a representative to accompany an Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance officer during an inspection of their workplace.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act gives the employer and employees the right to authorize a representative to accompany OSHA officials during a workplace inspection. The final rule clarifies that, consistent with the law, workers may authorize another employee to serve as their representative or select a non-employee. For a non-employee representative to accompany the compliance officer in a workplace, they must be reasonably necessary to conduct an effective and thorough inspection.

The rule is effective on May 31, 2024. Learn more.

MEG 2024 CONFERENCE

MEG 2024 Conference

The Marketing Executives Group (MEG) is the signature event for the Marketing Expert Exchange Community, a community of restaurant marketing professionals who are connected 365 days a year and come together every May in Chicago preceding the National Restaurant Association Show. MEG raises the level of industry excellence by connecting, inspiring, teaching and challenging each other through the exchange of ideas, thought leadership and best practices.

Join us! The MEG 2024 Conference will be held May 15-17, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago. Register here.

Questions? Contact MEG Program Manager, Jaclyn Sanford at jsanford@restaurant.org

GRA FOUNDATION UPDATE

Rachel Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant

High schools across the country can apply for a $5,000 grant from The Rachael Ray Foundation and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) to support ProStart classrooms and educators.

These Grow Grants will give up to 48 high schools across the country the ability to upgrade their classrooms or purchase new teaching resources and supplies.

Apply today!

SAVE ON ELECTRIC RATES

Save on Electric Rates

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.

NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION SHOW

National Restaurant Association Show

Discover new ways to optimize your menu and lower expenses while delivering exceptional guest experiences at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show taking place May 18-21, 2024 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

As the world’s most influential showcase of foodservice innovation, the Show is a must-attend event for every member of the industry.

As a restaurant member of the GRA, you are also a dual member of the NRA and your organization is eligible for one complimentary Expo Badge.

Reach out to the Show organizations at admin@email.nationalrestaurantshow.com or call 864-699-6435 to claim your complimentary badge.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with your peers in foodservice at the culinary destination of the year! Register today!