GRA Weekly

June 13, 2024

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner, Ecolab.

INVEST ATLANTA RECOVERY FUND

Invest Atlanta Recovery Fund

Invest Atlanta, the group tasked with facilitating the Small Business Recovery Grants introduced by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and the Atlanta City Council, has released some initial information regarding the grants. These grants will go to businesses located in the impact zone during the recent Atlanta water crisis, with priority given to a group of business categories which includes restaurants. Applications for the grant will open on Monday, June 24 and will close on Monday, July 8.

Check here to see if your restaurant is eligible for funds and register for the webinar on Monday, June 17 hosted by Invest Atlanta, where your questions regarding eligibility, required documentation, and other information will be answered.

MEET THE EXPERTS

Register Now To Attend GRA's Newest Educational Networking Event - Meet The Experts, Hosted In Partnership with NCR Voyix, Ecolab, Moore Colson, And Sysco

Meet the Experts will feature over a dozen industry experts for an evening of speed coaching and power networking. On Wednesday, August 7, 2024 from 2:00PM to 5:00PM at the NCR Voyix Headquarters, this event offers restaurant and hospitality operators the opportunity to connect one-on-one with some of the biggest restaurateurs in the business, plus experts in HR, public relations, law, accounting, licensing, insurance, and more.

How it works: Operators (restaurant/hospitality owners, managers, and restaurant leadership) can select up to five (5) topics to be paired with during the event for 15-minute sessions. Consider it an ideal opportunity to ask questions, get advice, and exchange business information to keep the conversation going in the future. It's speed coaching and power networking at its finest.

CITY OF ATLANTA ANNOUNCES RECOVERY GRANTS

City of Atlanta Announces Small Business Recovery Grants

Last week, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and the Atlanta City Council announced the creation of a relief grant program for small businesses impacted by the water main breaks over the weekend. An initial amount of $5 million is being allotted, with details on business size and process to be determined in the weeks ahead.

The GRA applauds these efforts and looks forward to working with the Mayor and Council to ensure these funds quickly reach Atlanta’s restaurants who have been impacted. Read the full AJC article here.

If your restaurant has been affected by the water crisis over the past week, please carefully review the ordinance on our blog.

Managing a Boil Water Advisory

Last week, restaurants in the City of Atlanta experienced water cut-offs due to several water main breaks and the ensuing repair process. To mitigate risk of contamination, the City imposed a boil water advisory for all homes and businesses in the affected areas. These disruptions had a significant financial impact on hundreds of businesses across the city and led to the cancellation of several major events.

To ensure that you are protecting the safety of your employees and guests, it is important to train your team on proper procedures in the event of a boil water advisory. Check out our latest blog post for more information.

VOTE FOR THE BEST CULINARY TOWN

The Best Culinary Towns in the South

The Local Palate is looking for the best and brightest culinary towns across the Southeast, wearer you can not only find exceptional restaurants, but also farmers’ markets, great bars, and more. These are the towns where you’ll find excellent food and drink as well as a community of food lovers.

The City of Alpharetta has been named among the Top 10 finalists and we need YOU to help us pick the winner! The winning town will be featured on the cover of the South’s Best Culinary Towns issue, on stands October 29 - let’s put Georgia on the map!

Vote Now.

GRA ADVOCACY UPDATE

GRA Coastal Kitchen Cabinet Recap

At the Coastal Georgia Kitchen Cabinet kickoff earlier this week, Savannah-area restaurateurs gathered to meet the new President + CEO of the GRA Stephanie Fischer and our government affairs team, network with State Senator Derek Mallow and State Representative Anne Allen Westbrook, and learn more about how the GRA can support the region's diverse foodservice industry.

Special thanks to the Can Be Employed at The Ordinary Pub team for helping make this event a success! For more information about the GRA’s advocacy initiatives, contact Scott Bierman.

Georgia DOR | Quarterly Sales & Use Tax Rate Updates

Effective July 1, 2024, Georgia Department of Revenue has published the new quarterly sales and use tax rates. Historical, current and upcoming sales and use tax rates changes may be viewed here.

NOMINATE A RESTAURANT LEADER

Nominate a Stellar Restaurateur!

One of the key roles of the National Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation is to help raise awareness of the positive impact restaurants have in their communities and the role the industry plays in championing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nominations are now open for the Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards, which support this mission. The nomination categories are:

Inclusion Innovator Award
Community Champion Award
My Journey Award
Ambassador of Hospitality Award

Category descriptions, nomination guidelines and award FAQs can be found here. Nominations, submitted through the NRAEF platform in the link, are due by July 5.

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR BUCKHEAD RESTAURANT WEEK

Last Chance to Register - Buckhead Restaurant Week

In consultation with Melissa Libby & Associates, Buckhead Village District – Jamestown and Lenox Square – Simon, Livable Buckhead is excited to announce the return of Buckhead Restaurant Week for 2024, helping to promote Buckhead as a dining hotspot and increase patronage at local restaurants during traditionally less busy times.

How will it work?

Participation is FREE.
Restaurants will provide tiered flat pricing menu.
Participating restaurants can determine if they want to be part of lunch, dinner, or both.
Participating restaurants are free to determine what they would like to include in the tiered BRW offering, whether special items or regular menu items.
The restaurant is also free to determine any other items besides food, such as wine or cocktail choice to include in the tiered offerings.
All interested restaurants must submit their applications by Friday, June 14.

CUTTING-EDGE AI SOLUTIONS FOR FOODSERVICE

Ecolab Invests in Cutting-Edge AI Solutions for Foodservice Operations

Drawing on a century of innovation and 30+ years of digital expertise, Ecolab is dedicated to advancing the foodservice industry to better support our customers. At the recent National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, the company showcased a full suite of back- and front-of-house customer solutions that represent the future of the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry.

We’re excited to share that Ecolab is investing in a company that is bringing industry leading computer vision and self-ordering technology to foodservice customers. This new investment will connect both companies to long-term AI strategies that will help shape the industry’s future – strategies that can enhance restaurant processes, mitigate labor shortages and exceed customer expectations. Keep reading to learn more.

PREPARE YOUR RESTAURANT FOR HURRICANE SEASON

National Hurricane Preparedness | June 1 - November 30, 2024

Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and runs through November 30. The Georgia Restaurant Association strongly encourages restaurant owners and operators to stay informed and be prepared as seasons are increasingly uncertain. Learn more.

Additional resources:

DEADLINE EXTENDED - FILE YOUR CLAIM TODAY!

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 U.S. merchants who paid artificially inflated Visa and Mastercard interchange fees. The deadline to submit a claim as part of the Payment Card Settlement has been extended to August 30, 2024.

Key takeaway: If your restaurant accepted Visa and/or Mastercard at any time between Jan. 1, 2004, to Jan. 25, 2019, you may be entitled to a share of this $6B class-action settlement. Visit www.paymentcardsettlement.com to submit a claim before the updated deadline, Aug. 30, 2024.

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.

Learn more: Click here to watch a recording of a webinar the Association and the Restaurant Law Center hosted on the settlement. Register for the webinar to access the recording.

WHY AUTHENTICITY IN THE WORKPLACE MATTERS

Why Authenticity in the Workplace Matters

Regardless of industry, a business is only as strong as its employees. Even the best products or ideas won't succeed without a quality workforce. Successful workplaces often share strong employee engagement, which measures how invested employees are in their company's success. The past few years have shown us the impact of disengaged employees, often resulting from excessive workload, burnout, and lack of appreciation.

However, fostering authenticity in company culture can help keep employees engaged - head to our blog to learn how.

FEDERAL UPDATE

RLC Sues to Stop DOL Overtime Rule

The Restaurant Law Center (RLC), Texas Restaurant Association, and other business groups recently filed a lawsuit to stop the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL's) 2024 Overtime Final Rule (2024 Rule). The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas and seeks to vacate the 2024 Rule, arguing it imposes illegal and harmful regulations.

Why it Matters: This action aims to protect restaurants and businesses from significant financial burdens and operational challenges. The 2024 Rule is set to increase the overtime threshold to $43,888 on July 1, 2024, and to $58,656 on Jan. 1, 2025. It also includes an automatic update to the overtime threshold every 3 years based on available wage data.

A Note onTiming: Because the first phase of the increased salary threshold is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2024, the coalition requested expedited consideration by the court.

RLC POV: "It is regretful that the Department of Labor is forcing employers to relitigate the issues that were decided when the Court struck down the 2016 Overtime Rule because of its illegality," said Angelo Amador, Executive Director of the Restaurant Law Center. "The 2024 Overtime Rule repeats the errors of the 2016 Rule and fails to address the flaws previously identified by the Court.”

Learn more about the RLC's case.

DOL Announces 65% Increase to Overtime Threshold

The Department of Labor (DOL) has released its final overtime rule, significantly increasing the minimum annual salary threshold determining overtime pay eligibility under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) from $35,568 to $58,656. The rule will gradually come into effect, with an increase to $43,888 on July 1, 2024, and an increase to $58,656 effective January 1, 2025.

The Details: DOL sets a salary threshold to ensure eligible employees receive overtime pay for all hours worked over 40 in a work week.

Using 2023 data, the new salary threshold equals $1,128 per week or $58,656 annually for a full-year worker.
The rule also increases the salary threshold for the highly compensated employee (HCE) exemption from $107,432 to $151,164 annually.
The HCE exemption will also gradually come into effect, with an increase to $132,964 on July 1, 2024, and an increase to $151,164 effective January 1, 2025.

What’s New: The final rule includes an automatic update to the overtime threshold every three years based on available wage data at that time.

The DOL expects to announce the first such update on July 1, 2027, which will affect both the standard salary and HCE thresholds.
This methodology was specifically opposed by the National Restaurant Association and Restaurant Law Center in comments submitted last year.

Who’s Affected: Unless specifically exempted, an employee covered by the FLSA must receive pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek at a rate not less than one and one-half their regular pay rate.

Beginning on July 1, 2024, any employee earning under $43,888 will be owed overtime pay.
On January 1, 2025, any employee earning under $58,656 will be owed overtime pay.
This means that employees who were previously exempt from overtime pay may now be eligible, and employers may need to adjust their pay structures and work schedules accordingly.

Please see the DOL fact sheet linked here for information on determining if an employee is exempt.

E-VERIFY UPDATE

E-Verify | NEW Login URL Reminder

USCIS recently announced that effective June 25, 2024, all E-Verify users must use the new URL everify.uscis.gov to log-in to their accounts. The prior URL (e-verify.uscis.gov/) will result in an error message. USCIS also reminds users to update any internal documents/materials to reflect the change.

CHILD LABOR LAW COMPLIANCE

Child Labor Law Compliance in the Foodservice Industry

The National Restaurant Association and the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) are hosting a webinar, "Child Labor Law Compliance in the Foodservice Industry: Keeping Teens Safe This Summer," Tuesday, June 18 at 2:00PM. Here's what to expect:

An overview of federal child labor laws: Ensure you're up to date with the basics.
Permissible work hours: Learn the legal working hours for 14- and 15-year-olds.
Prohibited jobs: Understand the jobs deemed hazardous for 14- and 15-year-olds and jobs prohibited for all workers under 18.
Common violations: Avoid the most frequent pitfalls.
Q&A session: Get your questions answered by WHD specialists.

Don’t miss out: Register here here to secure your spot or watch a recording after.

Get ready: Check out this DOL fact sheet, Child Labor Rules for Employing Youth in Restaurants, or try the DOL’s employer self-assessment tool on child labor in restaurants.

COCA‑COLA® LENS

Bringing Insights Into Focus

Earlier this week, The Coca-Cola Company announced the launch of Coca-Cola Lens, an insights platform designed to empower our customers to make data-driven decisions for growth.

As the industry continues to navigate ongoing challenges, Coca-Cola Lens makes actionable insights more accessible, magnifying relevant trends to anticipate consumer preferences.

Coca-Cola has always been dedicated to driving growth with our partners. Now, you will be able to self-serve the actionable insights you need, precisely when you need them, empowering you to navigate the evolving landscape with confidence and agility.

Coca-Cola Lens utilizes proprietary tools and data, plus trends from secondary and third-party sources, to bring insights into focus via a digestible, user-friendly website. Accessible to all, the platform dives deep into the nuances of consumer behavior, and then zooms out to show the trends and context that make up the bigger picture, all with a forward-thinking outlook.

Please visit https://www.coca-colalens.com/ for more information.

MAIL THEFT ALERT

Mail Theft Alert

The GRA has received official notice from the U.S. Postal Service about recent mail theft in our area. As a precaution, we strongly urge our members pay their dues invoices electronically and to please contact us directly to confirm if a recently mailed check payment has in fact been received by our office. For more information on how to protect yourself against mail theft, please visit the USPS’s website.

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.