GRA Weekly
December 22, 2022
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Happy Holidays from GRA
The holiday season is an ideal time for sharing gratitude for the things we value most. In the spirit of hospitality, all of us at the Georgia Restaurant Association would like to thank you for being a part of our Association and for allowing us to support the amazing hospitality industry across the state. Wishing you and your family the happiest of holidays and a prosperous new year!
As a reminder, this will be our last issue of the GRA Weekly for 2022. We will resume our weekly newsletter on January 5, 2023.
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CHRISTMAS DAY ALCOHOL SALES |
Christmas Day Alcohol Sales in Georgia
Our friends at the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores have compiled a spreadsheet outlining the allowable and non-allowable selling of alcohol based on each local municipality who provides the information online. We encourage all license holders to check with their local jurisdiction before making sales on Christmas Day. You can access this report here.
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Public Service Commission Renews Rate
Earlier this week 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 Today! ACT 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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COLD WEATHER PREPAREDNESS |
Prepare For Unseasonably Cold Conditions
A high impact cold weather event is expected to begin tonight through Saturday. Very cold temperatures, gusty winds, and negative wind chill values are expected in north and central Georgia. Now is the time to prepare!Emergencies can happen, especially with extreme weather conditions like snow or ice, which can cause power outages. Additionally, letting cold water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing and potentially flooding.
1) Make sure you have appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer.
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Check to ensure that the freezer temperature is at or below 0° F, and the refrigerator is at or below 41° F.
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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.
2) 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.
3) 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.
4) Group food together in the freezer. This helps the food stay cold longer.
5) Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerated food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours.
6) 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.
7) Check out local sources to know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased, in case it should be needed.
8) Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding.
9) 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.
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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.
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City of Atlanta | General Business License Renewal Season is Coming!
The 2023 business license renewal season is fast approaching. Beginning January 2, 2023 – February 15, 2023, you can renew your Business License for the year 2023. How can you get ready?
1) Make sure you are able to Log into your existing Atlanta Core Business Licensing portal & Permitting Portal
2) Complete and notarize required documents (Save & E-Verify affidavits)
3) Have a copy of your current, non-expired Government ID
4) Click this link for detailed information regarding the 2023 Business License process
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Renewal Reminder
Reminder: As we approach the end of the year please make sure to get all appropriate licenses and permits renewed before they expire.
Georgia Department of Revenue | Revised Sales & Use Tax Rates
Effective January 1, 2023
Georgia Department of Public Health issues notice of proposed rulemaking to implement HB 1443 to establish procedures for statewide permitting of food trucks.
The Department of Public Health proposes revisions to the rules located in Chapter 511-6-1, “Food Service,” pursuant to its authority under Georgia Code Section 26-2-373(a).
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TikTok 101: The special sauce for your brand
On Mon., Jan. 18, 2 p.m. ET, TikTok hosts a webinar to help restaurant business owners and marketers discover how their brand can find success on the platform. Learn creative best practices for making TikTok videos, how a TikTok Business Account can help you stand out from competitors, and how the platform’s many ad solutions can help you reach its wide, highly engaged audience.
Wednesday, January 18, 2023 | 2:00 PM
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Privacy victory in omnibus bill
After passing a continuing resolution last week that extended federal spending through Fri., Dec. 23, Congress is now considering 4,000+ pages of a $1.66T FY2023 omnibus spending package. In a win for the restaurant industry, the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA), which would have posed significant challenges for large and small operators, has been excluded from the legislation.
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What this means for restaurants: After months of discussion with members of Congress, the Association’s efforts opposing the bill have been successful, for now.
Association warns DOL on proposed Independent Contractor rule
Association comments to the Department of Labor last week expressed opposition to the agency’s proposed rule change to the independent contractor classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The classification approach defined in the Proposed Rule is so exceedingly complex and ambiguous that it will cause harmful confusion for restaurant operators and independent contractors across the country, and the Association recommends DOL withdraw it.
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What this means for restaurants: Restaurants must still comply with the existing rule, which is clear and concise. DOL will now review stakeholder comments before it proceeds to issue a final rule, at which point the Association will again provide industry perspective.
SEC weighing disclosure requirement of human capital management
The Securities and Exchange Commission is considering a new proposed rule on Human Capital Management Disclosure, which may require public companies to disclose extensive workforce data such as:
- No. of full-time employees, part-time employees, contingent workers
- Information on race, ethnicity, and gender
- Workforce turnover and retention rates
- Training hours/spending
- Benefit and paid leave policies
- Safety and enforcement events taking place
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What this means for restaurants: The Association is closely monitoring the SEC’s actions and appreciates getting member feedback either in opposition or in favor of the proposed change before policy and advocacy staff engage the agency. As we have seen in other recent proposed rules, the SEC has a propensity for advancing policy through rulemaking rather than traditional oversight.
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TOP 5 ACCOUNTING PRACTICES |
Top 5 Accounting Practices for Your Restaurant
After a few tough years, when close to 30% of Georgia’s restaurants permanently closed their doors, the industry continues its struggle to rebound as it faces serious challenges. Competition in the labor market is intense, the cost of goods continues to rise, and new consumer behavior has changed the industry’s landscape. Delivery services and new technologies have become part of the “new normal,” and experts predict the restaurant industry will never return to its pre-pandemic state. Read more.
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Full Course presents: NAVIGATOR
Navigator will include restaurant-specific monthly live training sessions, a private Navigator Community, monthly live group coaching with the Full Course leadership team, access to all the resources in our Learning Center, live interviews (with Q&A) with restaurant execs and more!
We are offering special pricing ($29 per month or $299 per year) until January 15 - for the founding members that we are calling the Admiral's Club. December sign-ups will have access to the community, and we will be sharing training videos and other content until the program officially rolls out on January 1st.
Here's a link to learn more and sign up! Give yourself the gift of learning this holiday season!
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