December 2023

Monthly News & Updates

Join Us For HRA's Annual Legislative Meet & Greet

January 29, 2024 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Central Pacific Bank TidePools 

220 S. King Street

Tickets $25

Registration Required - Space is Limited

Spending Trends You Need to Know

How do you stay on top of what your customers are expecting when they step through your doors? Do you know what’s on their mind? How are you going to account for what they’re planning on doing months from now?

As we head into 2024, price-related issues are still top-of-mind for restaurant customers after the inflation boom earlier this year. In this new report, you get the latest insights on consumer spending trends, attitudes on tipping, and how you can respond.

Did you catch HRA's recent Think Tech Show? Listen in as Host Sheryl Matsuoka, HRA Executive Director, and guests State Senator Angus McKelvey, David Daly and Jessica Cao discuss Maui Bridge Grants.

The Maui Business Bridge Grant serves as a bridge between immediate relief and sustainable recovery. By alleviating the financial burden on businesses, it allows entrepreneurs to focus on rebuilding and adapting to the new post-wildfire normal. This not only safeguards local jobs, but also preserves the unique character and identity of Maui's business community. 

"Restaurants of Hawai'i" features HRA members and guests discussing trending topics in the foodservice industry.

Check out our full playlist of past shows HERE.

Please Like, Share, Comment & Subscribe to our Channel!

Make Responsible Alcohol Service a Resolution in 2024

The New Year is a time to reflect on the changes we want or need to make. A goal that should be on the top of every operator’s resolution list is responsible alcohol service. When you serve alcohol, you know the risks. Risk lawsuits if you over-serve. Risk lives if you serve a drunk driver. Risk your livelihood if you sell to a minor. What can you do to protect your license and ensure the safety and well-being of your customers in 2024? Here are a few resolutions you may want to make:

1. Create and publish an alcohol service policy and instruct every employee to follow it.

If you already have a written policy, review it and make appropriate changes to address any of the issues you may have had in 2023. If you do not yet have a written policy, now is the time to create and implement one.

2. Train and re-train staff and management.

In addition to implementing an alcohol service policy, your staff training should include a requirement for certification through a reputable alcohol server training program such as ServSafe Alcohol. The advantages of certifying your staff include liability insurance discounts; a greater ability to prevent intoxication, drunk driving, and underage consumption; and the protection afforded by a reasonable efforts defense in the event of an alcohol-related incident. Make sure the training includes a positive approach to the sale of alcohol and provides skills training in intervention techniques. Be sure to monitor staff conduct and re-train employees when necessary. 

3. Keep good records.

One of the best defenses against liquor liability lawsuits is good documentation. Consistent and thorough documentation is an essential part of demonstrating a commitment to responsible alcohol service. Operators should record and keep current the certification status of their employees, just as they maintain daily logs of the happenings at their establishments through incident report log-books.

4. Communicate with the public.

Let community members know that you are part of the solution. Demonstrate your commitment to responsible service by working with others such as community coalitions, law enforcement, local associations, and college campuses. Display your ID checking/alcohol service policies in a public place or post signage showing that your staff is certified in a reputable alcohol server training program. 

Calling All Operators: Comment on FTC’s Overreach

What’s new: Last week, Sean Kennedy announced a new grassroots activation in response to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed rule that would force restaurants to scrap service fees and surcharges.

Why it matters: In its proposal, the FTC made clear that it wanted to hear from restaurants about how this rule would impact them, so the Association is working to help operators submit their stories to the FTC.

Key takeaway: Share this link (https://p2a.co/MB04dvk) with your networks and encourage operators to personalize their submissions.

More info: Earlier this month, the Association requested an extension of the FTC’s comment deadline from Jan. 8 to March 8. Read the letter here.

Food Delivery’s Fast Paced World - Hawaiian Style

DoorDash and similar apps are more popular than ever. Here’s what Hawai‘i customers, restaurateurs and an indefatigable driver say about the benefits and costs.

Attend the 2024 NRA Show

The Biggest and Best Foodservice Show of the Year

Did you know that 1,450 exhibitors have already registered for the 2024 Show? The Show To Go—the Show’s official digital directory—includes updated information on all these exhibiting companies and their products. Head there now to explore suppliers and begin adding favorites to your personal profile for future reference—it’s the perfect way to start Show prep.

All Hawaii Restaurant Association Regular Members (restaurants) receive FREE badges to the show!

Restaurant Member Companies of the National Restaurant Association receive an allotment of complimentary Expo Only registration(s) as a member benefit. All communication regarding the promotional code for registration will be emailed to the main contact in your membership record.

The Key to Empowering Your Restaurant's Future

On-Demand Webinar

You are invited to this engaging webinar and delve into the world of integrated data gathering and analysis. Explore how R365 Intelligence can empower restaurant operators by translating insights into actionable strategies that streamline operations and cut costs. We’ll walk you through essential KPI dashboards that enable operators to monitor productivity, manage expenses, and keep their teams aligned for a brighter restaurant future.

Speaker:

Nick Hluza

Solutions Engineer Manager

FDA's Food Traceability Rule:

Going Beyond Regulatory Compliance

This on-demand webinar breaks down the compliance date of January 2026 for the FDA's Final Food Traceability Rule. Understanding the rule and developing a plan are crucial and you need to get started on these activities now.

This webinar will provide an overview of the important factors that need to be addressed.

Restauant Year End Checklist

A Resource Guide

Check out this guide to review key areas at the end of the year to do a financial health check on your operation. Whether you’re a restaurant accounting professional, or a restaurant manager who works with one, here are some key areas to review at the end of the year to close the year out on a high note while also conducting a financial health check of your operation.