GRA Weekly

June 1, 2023

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner OrionStar USA

RESTAURANT READY PROGRAM

Restaurant Ready Program

On Monday, May 21st, the Georgia Restaurant Association Foundation (GRAF) celebrated Clubhouse Atlanta’s acceptance into the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s (NRAEF) Restaurant Ready Program. The GRAF is proud to facilitate this grant program and engage with such an impactful community-based organization (CBO). Clubhouse Atlanta is the first CBO to participate in Restaurant Ready program for the state of Georgia.

Restaurant Ready is a national program dedicated to helping people acquire the basic job and life skills necessary to pursue jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industry, and jumpstart a pathway to independence.

Clubhouse Atlanta is located in Dunwoody, GA and members are located in the Dunwoody and surrounding areas. If you are interested in working with Clubhouse Atlanta in providing job opportunities for their members, please reach out to Katie Ashley to learn more and sign up.

NATIONAL HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

National Hurricane Preparedness | Hurricane Season Begins June 1

Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 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:

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

GRA Member Exclusive: Volunteering Opportunities

Help the Georgia Restaurant Association Foundation educate and train the youth of today to become the service industry professionals of tomorrow! We have a plethora of new options for current GRA members to volunteer with ProStart and our high school outreach programs. We have created a survey for members to indicate which area(s) they would like to participate. We are currently working on developing programming for the 2023-2024 school year. If you have any questions, please reach out to Katie Ashley, Foundation Programs Manager. Sign up here.

IMPORTANT GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund sponsors women seeking leadership positions in the wine and spirits industry and related fields. Grantees will receive scholarships to leadership programs and membership to 510 media’s Hope Academy. Apply by June 15.

The PepsiCo Foundation’s Impacto Hispanic Business Accelerator program aims to support Hispanic-owned food and beverage businesses with a $10,000 grant and coaching opportunities. Submit your application before June 16.

The National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)’s Famous Amos Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative is a grant and mentorship program created to provide Black entrepreneurs with the necessary tools for success. Three winners will be chosen from a pitch contest, each receiving $50,000. Applications are due June 25.

ATTACK IS BACK!

Return of The Killer Tomato Festival

Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival (#AKTF) returns to Westside Provisions District on Sunday, July 30 from 1-4 PM for an annual celebration of the juiciest fruit in Georgia: tomatoes.

Passes include tastings and beverages featuring tomatoes in all the ways from Georgia restaurants, bars, and other tomato-serving establishments.

This event is hosted by Georgia Organics and celebrates the delicious Farmer Champion partnership between Georgia's organic farmers and the culinary teams who make local ingredients shine. Learn more and register.

GRA ADVOCACY UPDATE

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

The Georgia Department of Revenue has posted the upcoming quarterly sales and use tax rate changes.

Counties affected include: Taylor, Ware

Please visit the Department’s website to view current, historical, and upcoming sales and use tax rate charts.

Restaurateur Named to Senate Study Committee

Roswell restaurateur Ryan Pernice was named by Lt. Governor Burt Jones to the Senate Study Committee on Expanding Georgia’s Workforce. This study committee, chaired by Senator John Albers, will take a look at the labor and workforce issues facing business across Georgia. Meetings will take place across the state throughout the summer and fall.

Governor Kemp Signs 3rd Party Delivery Legislation

Earlier this month, Governor Brian Kemp signed HB 528, legislation that will protect restaurants' intellectual property by requiring a written agreement between third-party delivery services and restaurants before the service can list a restaurant on their online platforms. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2024.

Health Inspectors

Instances of individuals posing as health inspectors are on the rise. In many cases, individuals will contact a restaurant and demand payment for the inspection fee. Please be aware that inspection fees are only charged when a restaurant requests an additional inspection or a re-inspection. Also, the Health Department will bill the restaurant and will not ask for payment at the time of the inspection. If you ever have any doubts or want to verify that the health inspector is legitimate, you can reach out to your local health department or contact the State Health Department. If you need assistance contacting your local health department, you can contact us and we will get you the proper information.

Reminder: Questions to know when Health Inspector Arrives

Georgia Food Code mandates that every location have one Certified Food Service Manager (CFSM). However, if the CFSM is not there when a health inspector arrives, then the person in charge must be able to answer certain questions. See Georgia Food Code 511-6-1-.03(c) Correct Answers to Food Safety Questions to make sure all people in charge are prepared. Learn more.

FEDERAL UPDATES

Association joins letter opposing harmful DOL overtime wage ruling

The rundown: Last week, the Association signed on to a letter from the Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity urging the Department of Labor to forfeit or postpone the proposed rulemaking that alters overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Why it matters: Changes to the white-collar exemptions in the FLSA would burden an already vulnerable economy. The letter explained that restaurants were disproportionately impacted during the pandemic, and this proposed rulemaking places further stress on the industry as it recovers. Additionally, this ruling would make complying with the proposed changes difficult, given the scale of remote and hybrid workspaces. Read the letter here.

MEET LUCKI

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE

National Restaurant Association Public Affairs Conference

It’s your last chance to secure a spot in our hotel block for the Public Affairs Conference in Washington, DC, June 19-21. This is a can’t-miss opportunity to advocate for our industry with federal lawmakers, plus we have a lot of fun and learn a lot networking with the industry’s leaders from across the country. Be sure to contact Katie Jones to get registered for the conference and book your hotel room.

For more information and to register.

MEDICAID REDETERMINATION

Medicaid Redetermination

Some of your team members may lose Medicaid coverage over the next 12 months. Make sure they stay covered by sharing our free service with them. Your team can enroll in health insurance plans easily over the phone, and will get access to their maximum federal subsidies and most reasonably priced plans.

Email hospitalityhealth@uhg.com for more information and free promotional materials. No employer contribution; simply post our free flyers.