GRA Weekly

October 3, 2021

This week's newsletter is brought to you by Georgia Power.

FEDERAL UPDATE

Build Back Better Act Increases Taxes for Restaurants, No RRF Money: Send a Message Today

Congress is working on the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act, and a vote could come later this month. The bill makes important investments in things that will benefit our country and the restaurant industry – including pre-K education, greater access to childcare, and improvements in public transit.

But the bill is lacking for us in two significant areas - it does not replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), and it raises taxes on small businesses at a time when our industry truly cannot bear more financial strain. Click here for a 5-minute explainer video from the National Restaurant Association that walks through how the tax changes would affect your bottom line.

Last week, the National Restaurant Association released a new survey of the state of the industry. The conclusions are bleak – deteriorating business conditions are impacting operators’ outlook to the point that they state a recovery from the pandemic will be prolonged well into 2022. Overall, a majority of full-service and limited-service operators say business conditions are worse now than three months ago. These findings come on the heels of rising food and supply costs, a well-documented labor shortage, nearly $300 billion in lost sales, and debilitating debt that continues to mount.

Congress can change the bill to help our industry – but we need to be vocal, and we need to act now. The GRA, National Restaurant Association and our state partners are engaging policymakers to press for a solution that will improve, not jeopardize, the efforts of restaurant owners to keep their doors open.

Please take one moment to add your voice and send a message to leaders in Congress now.

Take Action.

TIP THEFT FINAL RULE

Employers May Face More Monetary Penalties for Tip Theft Under Final Rule

Last week, the US Department of Labor announced publication of a final rule on penalties for tip violations. The final rule restores the department’s ability to assess penalties of up to $1,100 per violation against employers who take tips earned by their employees, regardless of whether the violations are repeated or willful. This final rule also clarifies that while managers or supervisors may not receive tips from mandatory tip pools, managers and supervisors are not prohibited from contributing tips to eligible employees in pools. The final rule becomes effective in November. Read More.

GRA FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT

Join us on October 25th at The Standard Club for the GRA Foundation Golf Tournament.

Have fun, network and perfect your chip shot as we take to the golf course to raise funds for the GRA Foundation, the only 501(c)3 non-profit foodservice foundation dedicated to investing in our youth and workforce in Georgia. Your participation will help support ProStart® and enrichment opportunities like mentorships, job-training, training for teachers, and scholarships. Learn More.

Monday, October 25, 2021

The Standard Club

IMPORTANT STATE UPDATES

Georgia Department of Revenue: New Instructions for the Issuance of Alcohol and Tobacco Licenses

Effective with the 2022 renewal season and beginning September 1, 2021, the Department of Revenue will no longer issue and print alcohol or tobacco licenses on color bonded certificate paper containing a watermark. Additionally, the Department will not provide a license pick-up service or mail licenses to licensees. All alcohol and tobacco licenses will be available for viewing through the Georgia Tax Center (GTC) and must be printed by the licensee. Learn how to print an alcohol or tobacco license.

ENERGY STAR®

Commercial steam cookers: a powerhouse in efficiency

An ENERGY STAR® certified commercial electric steam cooker is 60% more energy efficient and 90% more water efficient than standard models. That efficiency equals an average savings of $12,000 on utility bills over the product’s lifetime according to energystar.gov. In addition to saving money, electric steamers have shorter preheat times, faster recovery times, wrap around insulation that leads to a cooler kitchen, and a boiler-less design that helps to reduce maintenance. Connect with your foodservice equipment distributor or contact us at 1-877-310-5607 to learn more.

GRA + FRLA EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR

Macro Economic Insights

Please join us Thursday, October 7th at 2:00PM, for a GRA + FRLA Exclusive Webinar: Macro Economic Insights, presented by Carlos Herrera, Chief Economist for Coca-Cola’s North America Operating Unit, and member of the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) Board of Directors. Dial-in or watch live via Zoom to gain greater visibility of ‘what’s to come’ through a deeper understanding of the foodservice industry from an economic perspective. Space will be limited to foodservice and hospitality operators only.

Thursday, October 7th | 2:00PM - 3:00PM

GSU VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR

SUSTAINABILITY DISCUSSION

Sustainability Digital Dialog - How Has Your Sustainability Work Changed Over the Past 18 Months?

In our no-longer-new COVID-19 reality, let's get together and discuss how your work has changed, what customers are demanding, and how your executives are viewing and discussing sustainability in the restaurant business. Bring your stories, questions, and ideas and your willingness to share. This will be a discussion-focused session with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and learn from others.

Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 2PM