GRA Weekly

March 14, 2024

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner, TSC & Associates

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, 2024 | 9:00AM - 6:00PM

Atlanta National Golf Club, Milton

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

GRA FOUNDATION UPDATE

2024 Georgia ProStart Educator of the Year

On February 29 at the 2024 Georgia ProStart State Invitational, Chef Phillip Garrett of Grayson Technical Education Program received the Georgia ProStart Educator of Excellence Award (EEA) for his demonstrated excellence in the classroom.

Each participating state restaurant association nominates its leading educator who has demonstrated a strong commitment to his or her students and the ProStart program. This year’s EEA winners will be announced at the National ProStart State Invitational (NPSI) in Baltimore, MD, on April 26-28. The National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) also will reveal the recipient of the James H. Maynard Teacher of the Year Award, recognizing one EEA winner for their tireless dedication to providing remarkable experiences to their ProStart students. Read more.

Deadline Approaching - NRAEF Scholarships

Each year, the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) awards more than $1.2 million in scholarships to individuals pursuing a post-secondary degree in the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry. The NRAEF also provides grants for educators and for individuals seeking industry certifications to advance their careers.

The process is simple - applicants complete one application, and after submission, the NRAEF system will match applicants to funds they are eligible for scholarship consideration. The application deadline is March 15, 2024 - Apply today.

2024 GPSI Winners Announced

Eleven Georgia high school teams traveled to Duluth on Thursday, February 29, 2024 for a statewide competition focused on culinary arts and restaurant management to win scholarships, top honors and more at the Georgia ProStart Invitational (GPSI). Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Berkmar High School and Meadowcreek High School took home top honors and will represent Georgia at the premier national high school culinary arts and restaurant management competition in Baltimore, MD, on April 26-28.

These schools will join over 92 teams from across the country to vie for the top high school culinary and restaurant management honors as well as almost $200,000 in scholarships to support their future aspirations in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Additionally, chef Phillip Garrett of Grayson Technical Education Program was named the Georgia ProStart Educator of Excellence for his demonstrated excellence in the classroom. Keep reading.

TASTE OF THE CAPITOL | GRA UNDER THE GOLD DOME

Taste of the Capitol | GRA Under the Gold Dome

Stay up-to-date with the GRA's Advocacy team as they navigate yet another 40-day legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol. Want to learn more or get involved? Contact Dedan McFadden.

Swipe Fee Study Committee

This week, House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee passed HR 1135 authored by Rep. Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth). This bill would create a study committee on credit card fees and state sales and excise tax and their impact on Georgia merchants and consumers. HR 1135 now heads to the full House for a vote with support from a broad coalition of industries.

Bill to Establish High-Demand Career List

Also this week, the State Senate passed HB 982, which would require the State Development Workforce Board to annually publish a high-demand career list identifying those careers most critical to the state's current and future workforce needs. The GRA supports this measure to consolidate the various lists put out by state departments to assist in the implementation of workforce development and education programs.

SIPPIN' LOCAL

Sippin' Local

The GRA has partnered with JAMES Magazine to launch the 5th annual SIPPIN' LOCAL poll, highlighting a booming Georgia industry. Everyone is invited to vote for their favorite breweries, distilleries and wineries located across the state.

The top 10 vote recipients in each category will be listed in the May/June issue of JAMES Magazine, and the number one company in each category will be spotlighted in a feature article.

The poll runs through April 5. Submit your vote here.

GRA IN THE NEWS

Catching up with....Stephanie Fischer

Georgia Trend's Karen Kirkpatrick sat down with President and CEO Stephanie Fischer. Stephanie Fischer was named president and CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) in September. These are edited highlights from an interview. Continue reading.

WINE DOWN BY THE RIVER

Wine Down by the River

Join the GRA on the banks of the Chattahoochee River 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, 2024 | 5:00PM - 7:00PM

Canoe | 4199 Paces Ferry Rd, Atlanta

Interested in sponsoring? Contact Sarah Thorson to learn more.

MAKE AN IMPACT WHILE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

CSR in Restaurants: How to Make an Impact While Making a Difference

For Jen Hidinger-Kendrick, founder of The Giving Kitchen, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) includes an added layer of remaining socially accountable and transparent—not just raising the money but being what she calls “excellent stewards of donor dollars.”

Hidinger-Kendrick understands how CSR can feel unattainable at times, but she stresses how having a central mission can override any growth pains and act as a guiding force for restaurants. “Being responsible for the truth and learning how to lead together through transparency is how operators bring people into their belief system, and it’s something we must think about constantly. [You must] be transparent with the stories you’re telling and who you’re helping.”

Learn how industry leaders apply CSR in small ways for an enormous impact here.

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!

2024 GEORGIA GROWN EXECUTIVE CHEFS ANNOUNCED

2024 Georgia Grown Executive Chefs Announced

Six Chefs Added to Statewide Program Designed to Foster Relationships Between Chefs and Farmers

Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) President + CEO Stephanie Fischer announced six new Georgia Grown Executive Chefs at the 2024 Taste of Georgia Legislative Reception last night. The Georgia Grown Executive Chef program is a statewide program designed to promote and foster relationships between chefs and farmers while spreading awareness about the quality of locally sourced and grown products in Georgia’s restaurant scene. Continue reading.

INSPIRING AND RETAINING EMPLOYEES

Inspiring And Retaining Employees In The Restaurant And Bar Industry

In the dynamic world of restaurants and bars, employee retention is as crucial as the quality of food and drinks served. The industry is notorious for high turnover rates, but by focusing on key strategies, restaurant and bar owners can inspire their staff and reduce the frequency of hiring and training new employees. Here are five effective ways to achieve this....continue reading.

FEDERAL UPDATE

Federal judge strikes down new joint employer rules

A federal judge in Texas blocked the National Labor Relations Board's joint-employer rule, siding with groups contending that it violates federal law and is overly broad. The ruling, which came on the last business day before the rule was set to take effect, resulted from a legal challenge by business groups including the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Law Center.

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.

Learn more: The Association 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.

Key takeaways: 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.

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.

Independent Contractor vs. Employee: DOL Issues New Final Rule for Determining Worker Status

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) test for determining whether a worker should be classified as an independent contractor or an employee for purposes of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has been revised several times over the past decade. Now, the DOL is implementing a new final rule rescinding the employer-friendly test that was developed under the Trump administration. The new, more employee-friendly rule takes effect March 11, 2024.

If you’re found to have misclassified employees as independent contractors, you may owe back pay if employees weren’t paid minimum wage or overtime pay, as well as penalties. You also could end up liable for withheld employee benefits and find yourself subject to various federal and state employment laws that apply based on the number of affected employees. Read more.

Georgia DOR | Quarterly Sales & Use Tax Rate Updates

Effective April 1, 2024, Georgia Department of Revenue has published the new quarterly sales and use tax rates. Counties affected include: Baker, Baldwin, Barrow, Long, Richmond, Taylor, Towns, Walker. Historical, current and upcoming sales and use tax rates changes may be viewed here.

TEAM HIDI

Team Hidi

Don't miss this golden opportunity to savor incredible food and contribute to a worthy cause. Secure your tickets today to join us on this culinary journey! For tickets and event details, click here.

When: Sunday, March 17, 4:00PM - 9:00PM

Where: Truist Park

Tickets and additional details available are available here.

WORRY LESS ABOUT MEDICATION COSTS

Worry Less About Medication Costs

Optum Perks® is a free prescription discount program that helps lower the costs of medications. Optum Perks cards are accepted at thousands of pharmacies nationwide, from the large chains to the local pharmacy around the corner. Just show your reusable card to your pharmacist every time you fill a prescription and start saving.

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Get to know Optum Perks

Save up to 80%* simply by showing the pharmacist your Optum Perks card
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Learn more.

RISING STARS

Who Are You Going to Nominate?

Do you know a rising star in your restaurant? Someone who's making a big impact and has the potential to be a future leader in the industry? Nominate them for the 2024 Rising Stars Awards! Learn more.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Restaurant Strong National Grant 2024

The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund & Grubhub are pleased to announce more than $1,000,000 in grant opportunities, made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund, to support growth in small business restaurants nationally. The Fund will focus on providing grants that impact revenue growth and areas including, but not limited to: updating technology/equipment necessary to enhance day-to-day operations, marketing & public relations services, staff training programs, incentivized wages, or maintenance/updating of current infrastructure.

Applications are from Tuesday, February 20, 2024 through Friday, March 15, 2024. A portion of grant funds will be dedicated to new restaurants, those established in 2021 onwards, to aid in their introduction to the restaurant industry. Grants will be awarded to selected restaurants in April Click here to apply.

Calling all Female Entrepreneurs

The Papaya Grant offers $10,000 to support the long-term success of a female-owned small business. U.S.-based female entrepreneurs focusing on their entrepreneurial challenges, brand missions, and grant utilization intentions can apply by March 31.

2024 PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE

2024 Public Affairs Conference

Co-hosts of Fox News Channel’s The Five, Dana Perino and former Congressman Harold Ford, Jr., will be the keynote speakers at the National Restaurant Association's (NRA) 2024 Public Affairs Conference!

Where and when: The 2024 Public Affairs Conference is happening April 15–17, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Register now!