GRA Weekly

October 5, 2023

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner, Society Insurance

WHISKEY WEDNESDAY PAC FUNDRAISER

Whiskey Wednesday

Join Us for our Whiskey Wednesday PAC fundraiser and networking event! Come enjoy a guided whiskey tasting from Bardstown Bourbon, one of the top brands in bourbon, with food and drinks at Hobnob in Dunwoody.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to bid on premier bottles of hard-to-find bourbon and whiskey. All proceeds from the event will support the Georgia Restaurant Association Political Action Committee.

HOBNOB Dunwoody

Wednesday, October 18 | 5:00PM - 8:00PM

LAST WEEK TO NOMINATE FOR THE 2023 GRACE AWARDS

Don't Delay - Nominate Today! Nominations will close on Tuesday, October 10

The Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards return to honor the best and brightest in Georgia’s restaurant industry on Thursday, November 30. Nominations are open in numerous categories honoring those who have exhibited exceptional hospitality throughout the year - or their entire career.

Peer-nominated award categories include:

Lifetime Achievement
Restaurateur of the Year
Restaurateur Rookie of the Year
Industry Partner of the Year
Hospitality Hero of the Year
Restaurant Manager of the Year
Restaurant Employee of the Year
ProStart® Student of the Year
"Georgia On My Mind" People’s Choice Awards featuring four new award categories: Favorite Neighborhood Hangout, Favorite Born and Raised Beverage, Favorite Eatertainment Experience and Uniquely Georgia. These awards are nominated and voted on by the Georgia restaurant community including guests, employees, suppliers and vendors.

Winners will be announced during the GRACE Awards Gala on Thursday, November 30 at the Georgia Aquarium. Interested in sponsoring the awards gala? Please contact Sarah Thorson.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

GRA ADVOCACY UPDATE

GRA Hosts Macon Kitchen Cabinet

Last Thursday, the GRA hosted a Kitchen Cabinet roundtable at The Rookery in downtown Macon. Scott Bierman and Dedan McFadden sat down with local operators, business leaders, and Mayor Lester Miller to discuss local issues, and the path forward for restaurants grappling with high food costs and the competitive labor market. Thank you to all who attended!

To learn more about the GRA's Advocacy work around the state, contact Dedan McFadden, Local Advocacy Coordinator.

SAFEGUARDING YOU ESTABLISHMENT

Safeguarding Your Establishment: How to Help Prevent Electrical Fires at Bars and Restaurants

Bars and restaurants are vibrant social hubs where people gather to enjoy good food, drinks and company; however, amidst the hustle and bustle of these establishments, electrical safety often takes a back seat. Electrical fires can pose a significant threat to both patrons and business owners. To ensure the safety of guests and protect your investment, it's crucial to implement preventive measures. Fire Prevention Week is October 1-8, a good time to review these practical steps to avoid electrical fires at bars and restaurants. Keep reading.

ATLANTA WORKS CONFERENCE IS NOW VIRTUAL!

Atlanta Works Conference is Now Virtual!

The Georgia Restaurant Association is proud to partner with SHRM-Atlanta on the, now virtual, Atlanta Works Conference, providing tools and resources to help you navigate the people side of your business. The conference will take place on Tuesday, October 10 and will offer even more content for only $179. The day will consist of four live sessions and additional on-demand sessions. Use code GRA-ATLANTAWORKS23 to receive the new, lower price AND three months of SHRM-Atlanta membership!

We want to support your business goals and decrease your stress. During this event, you'll learn from real-world HR practitioners and legal counsel, and walk away ready to maximize your team's success. Join us virtually on Tuesday, October 10 for a unique experience created with you in mind. View the Agenda and register he re.

Tuesday, October 10 | 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Use code GRA-ATLANTAWORKS23 to receive the new, lower price AND three months of SHRM-Atlanta membership!

HOW DOES YOUR RESTAURANT OPERATION COMPARE?

How does your restaurant operation compare?

It’s time again take stock of restaurants’ operational data for the Association’s Restaurant Operations Report, the most widely recognized source of restaurant operating data in the U.S. Based on survey data from restaurant operators like you, this report will measure key industry statistics including profit margins, food and labor costs as a percentage of budget, operating expenses, staffing levels, service offerings and more. If you’re a restaurant operator and take the survey, you’ll receive a free electronic copy of the Restaurant Operations Report, which will allow you to see how your restaurant(s) compare to the competition on key operational metrics.

TAKE THE SURVEY

ACVB 2023 HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCED

ACVB 2023 Hospitality Hall of Fame Announced

This week, the Atlanta Convention & Visitor's Bureau (ACVB) announced the following nominees - and longtime GRA members - to be inducted into the 2023 Hospitality Hall of Fame:

Tracy Gates | Owner & Chef, Busy Bee Café
David Marvin | Chairman & Founder, Legacy Ventures
Frank Poe | Executive Director, Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA)

Get to know the nominees here.

The GRA extends congratulations to the recipients of this prestigious honor. Nominees will be inducted into ACVB Hospitality Hall of Fame on Wednesday, November 1 at The Fox Theatre. Please stay tuned for registration information.

GRANT OPPORTUNITY: BREWING THE AMERICAN DREAM

Brewing the American Dream: Pitch your business ideas for a chance to win $10,000!

The vibrant city of Atlanta is bursting with entrepreneurial spirit, especially among our food and beverage creators. Enter the Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Pitch Competition, a beacon of opportunity since 2008. Beyond the enticing $10,000 prize, it offers a chance to be mentored for a full year by Samuel Adams business aficionados. If you've ever felt that your product has the potential to shine brighter, this might just be your stage. Don’t let this chance slip away. Deadline to apply is Friday, October 6, 2023. Join in and let’s craft success stories together. Learn more here.

FEDERAL UPDATE

2022 EEO-1 Component 1 Data Collection Opening on October 31, 2023

The EEO-1 Component 1 report is a mandatory annual data collection that requires all private sector employers with 100 or more employees, and federal contractors with 50 or more employees meeting certain criteria, to submit workforce demographic data, including data by job category and sex and race or ethnicity, to the EEOC.

The 2022 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection will open on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The EEO-1 online Filer Support Message Center (i.e., filer help desk) will also be available beginning Tuesday, October 31, 2023, to assist filers with any questions they may have regarding the 2022 collection.

All updates about the 2022 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection, including supplementary resource materials, will be posted to www.eeocdata.org/eeo1 as they become available.

IRS orders moratorium on new ERC claims; urges vigilance against scammers and predatory marketers

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a moratorium on new Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims filings beginning September 14, 2023 through December 31, 2023. This is unfortunately due to continued challenges with fraud/predatory scams and a focus on protecting legitimate business owners. Previously filed ERC claims will still be processed during the pause but will take longer due to the increased scrutiny and review of the documentation.

The IRS urges business owners to remain vigilant against fraudsters and often “aggressive promoters and marketing” claiming they can assist business owners with filings. Restaurants should seek guidance from qualified tax professionals to navigate the complexity of the ERC and ensure accurate filings.

IRS: Georgia taxpayers impacted by Idalia qualify for tax relief; October 16, 2023 deadline, other dates postponed to February 15, 2024

This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by Idalia in 28 of the state's 159 counties in Georgia. These taxpayers now have until February 15, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. This is similar to relief already being provided in Florida and South Carolina.

The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) See the full list of eligible localities here.

WABE EXCLUSIVE WITH KAREN BREMER + STEPHANIE FISCHER

WABE Radio - Jim Burress interview with Karen Bremer + Stephanie Fischer

This week, longtime GRA President + CEO, Karen Bremer, and incoming GRA President + CEO, Stephanie Fischer, joined WABE’s “All Things Considered” to talk about what the last few years have meant for restaurants in Georgia, and what’s next for the industry.

Fischer will succeed Bremer, who recently announced her retirement after 14 years with the organization and 50 years in the hospitality industry.

“My big thing is getting out and meeting our members, meeting different restaurants throughout the state, meeting our local governments throughout the state, to find out what’s going on,” said Fischer. Listen to the full interview.

SAVE ON SERVSAFE TRAINING

DINING WITH GRATITUDE

Dining with Gratitude This October

Calling all Georgia restaurants and food service establishments! This October, help Giving Kitchen (GK) raise critical funds and vital awareness by participating in Dining With Gratitude. The ask from GK is simple:

1) pledge at least $1,000 for food service workers in crisis through a direct donation or percentage of sales,

2) tell your staff about Giving Kitchen at lineup

3) in October, share with your customers you’re stepping up to support food services workers in crisis and invite them to dine with gratitude - they will send you a package for promotion kit in September. Register and find more details here.