GRA Weekly

November 30, 2023

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

GEORGIA GROWN EXECUTIVE CHEF PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program Announced

The Georgia Department of Agriculture's Georgia Grown campaign has partnered with the Georgia Restaurant Association for a statewide Georgia Grown Executive Chef program to create a greater awareness among restaurateurs and consumers about the importance of buying and eating local. Eligible Executive Chefs are invited to apply by January 31, 2024. Review eligibility, terms of commitment, and apply for the Georgia Grown Executive Chef program here.

GRA FOUNDATION UPDATE

2023 ProStart Educator of the Year Honored for Teaching Skills

This week, the 2023 ProStart Educator of the Year, Chef James Bryant, was featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution for his outstanding contributions to culinary education. After moving to Georgia in 2021, James became a culinary arts teacher at Berkmar High in Lilburn. Since then, he has led the student competition team to secure 1st place at the Georgia ProStart Invitational in March and 8th in the nation at the National ProStart Invitational in May. “There’s been a lot of excitement around the program since we won the title,” said Bryant. “I have about 220 students with a waiting list of about 400.” Read Chef Bryant's full story here.

Volunteers Needed: Help Our Industry Grow

The Georgia Restaurant Association Foundation (GRAF) is currently recruiting industry leaders to mentor ProStart Students and serve as judges at the 2024 Georgia ProStart Invitational - which will be held on Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 8:00AM - 4:00PM at Gas South Arena. The GRAF is seeking volunteers with experience in the Hospitality industry and a passion for service. Read the full flyer here.

To register as a mentor or judge, Please contact Katie Ashley, GRAF Programs Manager, for more information.

GRA PRESIDENT + CEO HONORED BY BMI

GRA President + CEO Honored by BMI

During the Council of State Restaurant Association's Fall Board Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, GRA President + CEO, Karen Bremer, was awarded a signature Gold Album by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) for her 13 years of service to the GRA and 50 years of service to the restaurant industry. BMI, the nation's leading performance rights organization, typically reserves the coveted Gold Album for it's top-performing recording artists. Congratulations on this wonderful achievement!

GRA ADVOCACY UPDATE

Save the Date! Atlanta Kitchen Cabinet

On Thursday, December 7, the GRA advocacy team is hosting a Kitchen Cabinet Roundtable with Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan. If your restaurant is local to Atlanta, we would love to have you attend to discuss your concerns with an elected official one-on-one. To RSVP, please contact Dedan McFadden or call us directly at (404) 467-9000. We look forward to seeing you there!

When: December 7, 2023 | 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Where: Ecco Midtown | 40 7th St NE Atlanta, GA 30308

Savannah Alcohol Update

The Savannah Department of Revenue has provided updates on the license renewal process, dates for Sunday sales, and the Server Training Program. Alcoholic Beverage License (ABL) renewal packages have a submission deadline of December 31, 2023, with a grace period extending the final application date to January 28, 2024. Additionally, two dates were announced on which ABL holders may sell alcoholic beverages, regardless of a Sunday Sales license – 2023 New Year’s Eve and 2024 St. Patrick’s Day. Finally, the new Server Training program is up and running, with the deadline for Server Cards on January 1, 2024. The program provides a simple training program at no charge and is good for 5 years. For more information regarding the Server Training Permit Card click here.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced that federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in Georgia for small businesses with economic losses due to the hurricane that occurred on August 30, 2023. If your business suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster, you may be eligible for loans in the amount of up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and 2.375% for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. For more information about loans and eligibility click here.

MAXIMIZE YOUR RESTAURANT'S PROFITABILITY

How Restaurant365 Can Maximize Your Restaurant’s Profitability

With rising food costs and a highly competitive labor market, the hospitality industry, with an average profit margin of 3 to 5%, needs to utilize every available tool to mitigate unnecessary costs. We discovered that operators understand profit and loss statements, but only some understand the balance sheet, which represents the true health of their company. Earlier this year, Moore Colson partnered with Restaurant365 because it is a highly effective, user-friendly tool to manage the ever-changing bottom line. Learn more.

FEDERAL UPDATE

NRA to Host Webinar on FTC Proposal

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a proposed rule on “Unfair or Deceptive Fees” that would force U.S. businesses to eliminate the use of “hidden” and “misleading” fees. The proposed rule would instead require businesses to post total prices for a service or good, which reflects all costs except shipping and government charges.

Dive Deeper: If this proposed rule is adopted as written, restaurant operators will have to rewrite their compensation models, increase their menu prices, and overhaul established business practices. Projected compliance costs top $3.5B.

What we're saying: The rule is unworkable as written. The Association strongly opposes this proposed rule and will submit comments.

Learn more: Register for the National Restaurant Association's (NRA) webinar on the FTC's proposal on Thursday, December 7 at 2:00PM.

NLRB Delays Implementation of Final Joint Employer Rule

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently announced it would delay the adoption and enforcement of its new joint employer definition until February 26, 2024.

Dive deeper: NLRB cited pending legal challenges, including the Restaurant Law Center’s lawsuit, as the cause of this delay.

Learn more: Check out the NRA’s new joint employer policy brief.

PREPARING FOR WINTER CONDITIONS

Preparing For Winter Conditions

As temperatures continue to drop, now is the time for restaurants to prepare! Emergencies can happen with extreme weather conditions like sudden temperature drops, snow, and ice - all of which can cause power outages. Some tips to get winter ready:

Letting cold water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes, even at a trickle, can help prevent pipes from freezing and potentially flooding.
Make sure you have appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer.
Check to ensure that the freezer temperature is at or below 0° F, and the refrigerator is at or below 41° F.
In case of a power outage, the appliance thermometers will indicate the temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer to help you determine if the food is safe.
Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator, or coolers in case the power goes out. If your normal water supply is contaminated or unavailable, the melting ice will also supply drinking water.
Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately. This helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.
Group food together in the freezer. This helps the food stay cold longer.
Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerated food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours.
Purchase or make ice cubes in advance, and freeze gel packs ahead of time. Store all of these in the freezer for future use in the refrigerator or in coolers.
Check out local sources to know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased, in case it should be needed.
Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding.
Make sure to have a supply of bottled water stored where it will be as safe as possible from flooding. If your bottled water has an odor, do not drink or use it. Instead, dispose of it, or if applicable, call your bottled water provider to make arrangements to get a replacement.
How to Prevent Pipes From Freezing
Food and Water Safety During Power Outages (FDA)
Winter Weather Preparedness (GEMA)

Be sure to follow your local National Weather Service Forecast and follow any emergency messaging from our partners on social media: Georgia EMA on X and Georgia EMA on Facebook.

AFFORDABLE MENTAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS

Prioritizing Industry Wellbeing with GRA's Affordable Mental Health Solution

After enduring years of unprecedented challenges, the hospitality industry faces significant concerns about the wellbeing of its workforce. With over 70% of restaurant workers reporting high stress levels, and nearly one-third experiencing symptoms of depression, the need for comprehensive support is undeniable. In response, the GRA is proud to highlight HealthiestYou by Teladoc, a revolutionary solution designed to address these issues.

This partnership provides members with unlimited virtual medical and mental healthcare visits for employees and their households at an astonishingly low rate of $9 per month, with no additional costs like copays, deductibles, or coinsurance—far below the normal $49 monthly rate. Importantly, this offering is accessible to all foodservice businesses with two or more enrollees, extending to both full- and part-time employees.

By enrolling in this industry-specific initiative, you take an active step to ensure affordable mental and physical healthcare for your entire team. With a staggering 27 million untreated adults experiencing mental illness and an average wait time of 6 weeks for traditional appointments, HealthiestYou offers timely and convenient access to board-certified mental health professionals via phone or video, enabling members to seek help from the comfort of their chosen environment. Together, GRA and Teladoc aim to safeguard the wellbeing of every individual within the industry. To learn more, determine eligibility, and enroll, click here.