GRA Weekly

February 22, 2024

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner, US Foods

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.

GRA FOUNDATION UPDATE

Next Week: 2024 Georgia ProStart Invitational

The Georgia ProStart Invitational is only 1 week away! The event will be held on February 29 at Gas South Convention Center, where Culinary and Management teams from high schools around the state compete for a title and chance to enter the National ProStart State Invitational on April 26-28, 2024 in Baltimore, MD.

To attend, sponsor, or volunteer, contact Katie Ashley. To stay up to date with the Georgia Restaurant Association Foundation (GRAF) and ProStart, follow us on Instagram.

High School Students Sharpening Their Knives For Georgia ProStart Invitational On February 29

With fast-paced competitions that can be described as a combination of “Shark Tank” and “Chopped,” the Georgia ProStart Invitational attracts hundreds of high school students who are ready to flex their culinary skills for a chance to win scholarship money and to compete on the national level.

The top three teams in each division will receive generous scholarships to pursue further education. More than $1 million has been pledged by post-secondary institutions to support scholarships for this year’s winners, and every participant is eligible for a $500 scholarship to Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Austin, Texas, or Boulder, Colorado. First-place teams will represent Georgia at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, MD over April 26-28 and compete for additional scholarship opportunities. Read the full story.

NRAEF Scholarship Opportunities

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.

GRA ADVOCACY UPDATE

GRA Hosts NRA Advocacy Team

The GRA Advocacy team recently hosted Mike Whatley and Michael Monroy from the National Restaurant Association. Discussions centered around advocacy initiatives and offered an opportunity for them to meet the new GRA President + CEO Stephanie Fischer. Special thanks to Little Sparrow for hosting our dinner with the NRA team!

Legislation Requiring Businesses to Accept Cash

House Bill 940 introduced by Rep. Todd Jones (R-25) would require Georgia retail stores and restaurants to accept cash for purchases.

Update: HB 940 was passed favorably out of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.

Bill to Establish High-Demand Career List

A bill introduced by Rep. Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville) looks to streamline a list of high-demand careers used by various state agencies. House Bill 982 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.

Update: HB 982 passed the House and awaits action in the Senate.

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.

WHY SUSTAINABLE FOODS CAN BE PROFITABLE

Why Sustainable Foods Can be Profitable

Today’s restaurant-goers are concerned with the environment and savvy about sustainability practices. One of the highly-talked-about customer concerns centers around sustainable food, which influences the places they visit. 57 percent of restaurant-goers feel that sustainability practices in restaurants have some influence on their dining-out decisions.

Some establishments may question if embracing sustainability is worth it. We’re here to tell you that eco-conscious practices are worth it while being easy to implement - learn how.

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.

FEDERAL UPDATE

2023 Joint Employer Rule goes into effect Feb. 26

The National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) flawed Joint Employer rule will go into effect February 26. Learn more about the rule and how it may impact franchises and small businesses with this fact sheet.

Dive deeper: The Association continues to support challenges to this rule, in the courts and in Congress.

In Congress, the Association is backing legislative efforts to block the rule through the Congressional Review Act. The House of Representatives has passed a measure to block the change. Now, it’s up to the Senate to vote.

At the same time, the Restaurant Law Center is challenging the rule in court, along with a coalition of business groups.

What’s new: Last week, Sens. Manchin (D-WV) and Braun (R-IN) released a joint letter to the NLRB, urging it to delay implementation of the rule. They say, in part, “we urge the NLRB to grant a further delay in the implementation... Doing so will respect the ongoing democratic process in Congress, avoid the complications of implementing a potentially unlawful rule, avoid further confusion, and grant small businesses a reasonable opportunity to prepare for its eventual impact.”

OSHA | 300A Summary submission opened February 1

Employers who are required to submit OSHA’s annual workplace-related injury and illness Form 300A Summary for 2023 may do so beginning February 1, 2024. The summary is part of mandatory record-keeping requirements and must be posted in a prominent place between February 1 - April 30.

IRS | ERC Voluntary Disclosure Program Launched

Businesses who received Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claim funding in error may now repay these funds through the IRS’s new Voluntary Disclosure Program. Deadline to apply is March 22, 2024. Employers who also wish to explore withdrawing a previously submitted ERC claim due to questions of accuracy/possible fraud now have the ability to do. Employers should carefully review the withdrawal process instructions as well as the Employee Retention Credit Eligibility Checklist to determine eligibility.

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LEADERS WANTED

Coca-Cola Leader Lab

The Coca-Cola Company recently launched Coca-Cola Leader Lab, a leadership program that addresses a significant issue facing the future of foodservice: attracting, developing and retaining an engaged frontline workforce. The first ever all-in-one multiverse mini series, leadership development tool, and career certification: Coca-Cola Leader La b.

Leaders Wanted

Committed people who want a brighter future, are excited to lead, and motivated by career development. The frontline workforce is more disengaged than ever and starving for opportunity. Coca-Cola Leader Lab exists to serve and strengthen the frontline workforce.

Key Elements

Designed for Gen Z crew, these Learning Videos are intended to be engaging, bite sized, TikTok style entertaining videos that introduce the Crew to the 6 C’s of Leadership:
Casting a Vision
Collaboration
Coaching Mentality
Conflict Resolution
Communication
Critical thinking
The base program is completely free! (customization available with incremental investment).

If you are looking for a fun way to build leadership capabilities, learn more and sign up at www.cocacolaleaderlab.com!

#86THESTIGMA

Giving Kitchen, Georgia Restaurant Association and DBHDD Launch #86TheStigma Campaign

In an exciting new initiative, Giving Kitchen, the Georgia Restaurant Association, and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) are proud to introduce the #86TheStigma campaign. This partnership is a concerted effort to bolster awareness and utilization of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, especially among individuals in the food service industry, a demographic increasingly confronted with behavioral health challenges.

In Georgia, the Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that from 2017 to 2021, individuals in Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations accounted for at least 224 suicides. And an August 2023 CDC report highlighted the elevated risk faced by those in food service roles, with a rate of drug overdose deaths alarmingly high at about 130 per 100,000 workers.

Addressing the necessity of this campaign, Bryan Schroeder, executive director of Giving Kitchen, stated, "The #86TheStigma campaign exemplifies the unity of our communities. In partnership with dedicated organizations and Georgia’s incredible restaurant community, we aim to shine a light on the often overlooked yet critical aspect of mental health, empowering individuals to seek support without hesitation or fear."

Thanks to our partners at Lexicon Strategies for working with these partners to create pathways for health and help!

If you would like to get involved or would like more information, contact Sarah Thorson, VP, Development.

2024 PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE

2024 Public Affairs Conference - Register by March 1 for Early Bird Pricing

At the National Restaurant Association's (NRA) annual Public Affairs Conference, attendees will hear from top political speakers, celebrate the industry at networking events, and meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to make a difference on key policy issues impacting the restaurant industry.

When: April 15–17, 2024

Where: Washington, D.C.

Register here for the industry’s largest grassroots advocacy event, the National Restaurant Association’s Public Affairs Conference, by March 1 for early bird pricing.