GRA Weekly
January 5, 2023
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This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner Healthy Hospitality. |
OPEN ENROLLMENT ENDS 1/15 |
Open enrollment is now through January 15th.
Don’t miss the chance to pass along this free service to your employees. Multilingual agents will help your employees find the right coverage, help them access any subsidies that are available to them, and sign them up right over the phone. This service is free for GRA members. Call 1-844-759-0642 or visit: Georgia Restaurant Association | Hospitality-Health.com to get started.
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14th Annual Taste Of Georgia Legislative Reception
This annual event is an opportunity for GRA members to showcase their food to elected officials and for our legislators to network with our state’s second largest employer. The honorees of the 2023 Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program will also be recognized.
GRA Restaurant Members: If you are interested in participating and showcasing your restaurant, contact us today!
Attendance is complimentary for lobbyists, dignitaries, legislators, and staff, however registration is required. Discounted registration is available for GRA Restaurant Members.
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Public Service Commission Renews Rate
Late December 2022, the Public Service Renewed the Time of Use – Food and Drink rate for another three years, giving the restaurant industry a win even before the new legislative session starts. The rate was initially approved in 2019 after the GRA brought forward a rate case to increase the number of restaurants included in this special rate, one that was previously only available to large chains. If you would like more information about the rate and how to enroll, please contact Scott Bierman.
The Time to Save on Electricity Costs is NOW!
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).
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How to Get the Most Out of Your Restaurant’s Google Business Profile
Back of House - Your business card still may be stapled on to-go bags and tacked to coffee shop bulletin boards. But these days, people are most likely to see it pinned to the top of their Google results. Most of your customers at some point have found your restaurant through a web search, surveys show, and you should plan to meet them there. Their ability to gather essential, at-a-glance information on Google searches — hours, websites, reservation links — can determine whether a first-time visitor books a table or a late-night regular decides to check back for lunch. Continue reading.
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21 States See Minimum Wage on the Rise in 2023
USA Today - State minimum wages keep increasing: The new year is bringing fast raises to workers in 21 states and 41 cities, as minimum wage increases take effect. Following California and New York, Massachusetts and Washington are topping $15 an hour. By the end of 2023, six more states and another 18 cities and counties will raise their minimum wages — making a record for a single year. Continue reading and learn how the minimum wage affects inflation in the restaurant industry.
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America needs immigrants to solve its labor shortage
CNN - Sixty percent of restaurant operators are facing staffing shortages limiting their operating capacity, according to National Restaurant Association. “Immigration reform is an economic necessity for the restaurant industry,” said Sean Kennedy, EVP of Public Affairs at the National Restaurant Association. “Allowing more legal immigration would be a win-win for employers in desperate need of employees and individuals seeking new opportunity.” Read the full article.
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Omnibus passes; new Congress begins
The 118th Congress convenes today, less than a week after President Biden signed the FY 2023 $1.7T omnibus spending bill into law. House Republican committee assignments will remain on hold until a speaker is elected – a process that analysts warn could take days if Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), the leading contender, does not shore up enough votes.
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What this means for restaurants: With each new Congress comes change. The Association released a policy primer resource last month, identifying federal policies, proposals, and regulations that are important to restaurants in the year ahead.
Restaurants to benefit from food waste bill
Before it adjourned late last month, Congress passed the Food Donation Improvement Act to expand liability protections, curb food waste, and reduce food insecurity. Introduced by Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the bill’s liability protections specifically include donations of an apparently fit grocery product or apparently wholesome food that is donated directly to a needy individual by a retail grocer, wholesaler, agricultural producer, restaurant, caterer, school food authority, or institution of higher education.
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What this means for restaurants: Restaurants should no longer fear that they will be held liable for potentially causing illness through donated food. The Association will share educational resources with restaurants once President Biden signs the bill into law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture issues regulations.
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