February 2024

Monthly News & Updates

Chairman's Message

Aloha HRA Members,

Gong Hee Fat Choi! 🎉 

Let the electrifying Year of the Dragon burst forth with an unstoppable surge of energy, infusing everyone with a ferocious spirit and propelling us toward unprecedented prosperity!

A resounding applause to the trailblazers who set the stage on fire at our January Legislative Meet and Greet! We witnessed a powerhouse convergence of influential government officials and culinary maestros, synergizing ideas on how the law can become the catalyst for turbocharging our businesses. Massive kudos to our phenomenal admin team and the indomitable volunteers who burned the midnight oil, ensuring this event soared to seamless triumph!

A heartfelt salute to the culinary virtuoso, Chef Guy Fieri, for kindling the flames of hope with a magnanimous donation to the victims of the Maui Fire. HRA Executive Director Sheryl Matsuoka, you're an absolute rockstar for steering those crucial funds directly into the hands of the needy, eliciting tears of gratitude and joy from the hearts of Maui's recipients.

Fasten your seatbelts because the next spectacular spectacle on the horizon is none other than the Hawaii Hotel and Restaurant Show (HHRS) at the Blaisdell Arena! Circle March 20 and 21, 2024, on your calendars for the grand unveiling of over 250 booths showcasing a treasure trove of delights – from mouthwatering meats to top-tier seafood and avant-garde takeout containers. Cutting-edge products and stellar services will provide restaurateurs with an epic array of choices and connections to propel their businesses to new heights.

Mark the dates, unleash your excitement and immerse yourself in the HHRS experience at the Blaisdell Center. For an in-depth preview, surf over to https://hawaiihotelandrestaurantshow.com/gallery/. Brace yourselves to elevate your game in the grandest fashion possible! 

Ave Kwok

HRA Chairman

Learn About the Department of Health Revisions Affecting Restaurants

Tune in to HRA's latest ThinkTech episode as we hear from the Hawaii Department of Health's Peter Oshiro as he discusses the changes occurring at DOH affecting your restaurant that you need to know:

• DOH Switched IT vendors from Digital Health Department to Tyler Tech to meet DOH’s needs, especially being able to process credit card payments. As of January 3, 2024 the public restaurant inspection site has been down, making it impossible to access inspection results. 
• Amendments about dogs in outdoor dining areas. 
• Revisions to many codes regarding allergens and their terms. Sesame will be marked as the 9th major allergen and making allergen warnings at the retail level similar to the advisory for raw and undercooked foods. 
• Terminology changes for reduced oxygen packaging for cook chill packaging, getting rid of the phrase 'which have the air expelled'.
• Permit fees for food establishment holders will not rise this year for restaurants.

"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!

Welcome HRA's New Corporate Partner

Superorder focuses on data to find customers exactly what they want and enable you to effortlessly operate your online kitchen.

In today’s digital world, over 60% of an average restaurant’s sales come from off-premise dining— delivery and pickup. All-in-One and easy to use, Superorder's platform allows every restaurant to be successful at online sales. Check out all of their product lines and learn how you can run your kitchen more efficiently.

Are you an HMAA member? Did you know about the new benefit included in your health plan, at no additional cost to you, called Member Plus.

The Member Plus Discount Program provides special merchant offers to members covered by HMAA. Check out the discount merchants and start saving today!

If you are not an HMAA member, HRA has a special HMAA PPO health plan exclusively for our members. Learn more about enrolling your company HERE.

The National Restaurant Association has released the 2024 State of the Industry Report.

Download the condensed version HERE.

The report is full of trends, statistics, and information you need to know.

As a benefit of HRA membership, Restaurant-level members can obtain the full report for free, valued at $349, from the link below.

March 20 - 21, 2024 at the Blaisdell Center

Booths are selling quickly for the BIGGEST Restaurant Show of the Year right here in Hawaii!

Save time standing in long lines, attendance is free but you must pre-register.

This annual industry show has something for everyone! Mark your calendar - we can't wait to see you at the show!

Thank you to Renewing Corporate Partner

The Hawaii Restaurant Association is grateful for the long-time support Hawaii Gas has shown to our members and the industry. The partnership between Hawaii Gas and HRA is instrumental in helping Hawaii businesses use clean energy, as gas is the most efficient source of heat energy making it the perfect bridge to Hawaii’s clean energy future.

When it comes to efficiency, affordability, and providing the best fuel for your business, there is simply no substitute for gas.

Do Business with an HRA Member

Your Partner in Lending

Pathways Business Lending, LLC is a locally owned company from Kapolei, Hawaii. With a variety of business lending partners, Pathways is there for you in every step of your journey. Whether a restaurant is seeking funds to renovate its kitchen or dining area, purchase new equipment or technology, open a new location, beef up its marketing campaign, obtain a liquor license, build a catering segment, or hire more employees, Pathways will work tirelessly to get you funded.

At Pathways Business Lending, we aim to source for you the working capital that your restaurant deserves. 

Access to our co-branded Ultimate Revolving Line of Credit. Funds from $5,000 to $1,000,000. Competitive interest rates. Interest is tax deductible. No collateral is needed. Quick, streamlined process to get you pre-qualified. If pre-qualified, funding is typically within 3 business days.

And for HRA Members, my Same-Day Response Commitment. Service is not bound by typical office hours.

Let’s get you pre-qualified. The best time to secure business funding is when things are calm. The next opportunity is right around the corner. It’s best to be prepared.

Connect with Pathways Business Lending, LLC:

Tony Goulart

tony@goulartgroup.com

www.pathwaysbizlending.com

(808) 375-2773

Payment Card Settlement: What it means for restaurant operators

The Payment Card Settlement sets aside at least $5.54B for millions of U.S. merchants who for years paid artificially inflated interchange fees. If your restaurant accepted Visa and Mastercard between Jan. 1, 2004, and Jan. 25, 2019, you could be entitled to a share of the settlement. Listen as Angelo Amador from the Restaurant Law Center and Brennan Duckett from the National Restaurant Association discuss the settlement and how to claim your share.

Hawaii Dental Service Hawaii Restaurant Association Benefit

Did you know HRA members have access to special pricing for HDS Dental Plans?

Contact Jessica Lam, HRA's HDS account executive, to learn more about the dental plans and options available to you as an HRA member.

Get your employees the coverage they deserve. Good oral health is important to overall health.

JESSICA LAM

Strategic Account Executive

Hawaii Dental Service

Tel: (808) 529-9211

Cell: (808) 462-1234

jessica.lam@HawaiiDentalService.com 

www.HawaiiDentalService.com

Attend the 2024 NRA Show

The Biggest and Best Foodservice Show of the Year

Registration is open for the food service industry’s premier annual event—the National Restaurant Show. Overflowing with innovative exhibitors, inspiring programming and irreplaceable networking opportunities, the Show is a once-a-year opportunity to experience the best of foodservice and find the products and connections you need to grow and thrive. 

There are over 1,600 exhibitors already registered for the 2024 Show. Check them out in the "Show To Go"—the Show’s official digital directory—which 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 one FREE badge 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.

Joint Employer Rule Goes into Effect February 26th

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

Dive deeper: The National Restaurant Association (NRA) continues to support challenges to this rule, in the courts and Congress.

In Congress, the NRA 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. 

Restaurant Ordering in the Age of Voice AI

Pick up a phone to order a pizza or pull up to a drive-thru these days and the voice taking your order is increasingly likely to be the product of AI. Voice AI at the drive-thru and on phone orders is so new and evolving that industry players like ConverseNow, Presto Automation and SoundHound have either expanded on their original missions or shifted gears completely since their startup days.

Read the full article on how AI is changing the ordering process.