July 2024

Monthly News & Updates

Chairman's Message

Dear Members,



I am honored and thrilled to step into the role of Chairman for the Hawaii Restaurant Association this year. As we embark on this new journey together, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to all our members, new and old. Your passion and commitment are the driving force behind everything we do.

I would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation to our outgoing Chairman, Ave Kwok, for his exceptional leadership and dedication. Under his guidance, we have achieved remarkable milestones and strengthened our community in countless ways. Ave’s vision and hard work have set a high standard for us to follow, and we are immensely grateful for his contributions.

Additionally, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors and corporate partners. Your unwavering support and generosity have been instrumental in enabling us to achieve our goals and undertake new initiatives. Your partnership is invaluable, and we look forward to continuing our successful collaboration.

This year, our focus will be on fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth within our community. We have an exciting lineup of events, projects, and initiatives designed to empower each of you and enhance our collective impact. I encourage you to engage actively, share your ideas, and be part of the vibrant tapestry that makes our association so special. Our next big event will be the Hall of Fame. Please sign up early to secure your seats. I am looking forward to seeing you there. 

Together, we will build on our successes and navigate any challenges that come our way. Let’s make this year one of remarkable achievements and unforgettable moments. 



Thank you for your continued support and dedication. Here’s to a productive and inspiring year ahead!

Warm regards,

Andy Huang

Hawaii Restaurant Association Chairman

How Robots are Finding Their Way on the Restaurant Floor

Tech Tracker: New technology allows humans to call robots and assign them to tables. Recently, there have been a few robotics announcements that move the needle toward automation equipment as a more useful and standardized part of restaurant operations

Best Practices for Responding to SBA Loan Audits & Inquiries

Learn best practices to navigate the process if the Small Business Administration sends a letter asking you to repay Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants and Payment Protection loans. Join us Tues., July 30, 11 a.m. ET to learn:

• Strategies for responding to inquiries regarding PPP/RRF eligibility
• Creating the optimal record for appellate review
• Working with legal counsel to protect your interests
• Overview of SBA’s inquiries to restaurant groups regarding ineligibility under the corporate group limitation
• Review of original applications and risk analysis

Angelo Amador, Exec. Dir. of the Restaurant Law Center and attorneys from GreenbergTraurig will present.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific Teams Up with Culinary Institute of America to Transform Hospitality Training in Hawaii

The CIP x CIA Workforce Development Program begins this fall with two cohorts, launching a multi-year collaboration to invest in Hawai‘i’s culinary future. The program—designed to elevate the skills of both professional chefs and those aspiring to join the foodservice and hospitality workforce—will offer 5-day culinary intensives that highlight the use of Hawai‘i-sourced ingredients in global cuisines, plant-forward cooking, and contemporary culinary techniques beginning with ʻĀina-based Mediterranean Cooking and Pacific Rim Plant Forward Cooking this fall. 

7 Signs Your Restaurant Menu Needs an Upgrade

Have you had the same menu for years? It may be time to change it. As trends and tastes change and grow, some restaurant owners find that adapting their menu can boost their profits.

There are many ways to upgrade your menu. You can change the items, but you can also change the look of your menu and your descriptions. Creativity is key when making over your restaurant menu.

You’ll find many benefits to updating and upgrading your menu. In this article, we look at seven signs your restaurant menu needs an upgrade.

7 Restaurant Food Trends You're About to See Everywhere

From affordable meal deals to sweet and spicy flavor pairings. If there's one constant about the world of restaurants, it's that things are constantly changing. New restaurants open. Struggling restaurants close. Chains add new food and beverage options and eliminate menu items too. And, of course, hot new food trends are always making an appearance on restaurant menus.

Last year, unique spins on the classic martini and "eatertainment" concepts were among the trends that swept the industry. In 2024, a handful of exciting new trends are also cementing their grip on restaurants, with affordability, nostalgia, and bold flavors emerging as some of the major themes.

3 Tips for Hiring and Retention

Terese Fogleman is an Operator at Chick-fil-A Boone FSU in Boone, North Carolina. Her drive-through lanes are always busy, yet her team members have a strong team culture.

Delivering unmatched customer service in the face of industry-leading demand is a tricky dance, and requires a unique approach to recruiting and retention.

We’ve invited Terese to share how her recruiting and retention efforts allow her to keep up with the incredible demand seen by her location.

Simply Smarter Webinar: Midyear Trends Event

Thursday, August 8th at 12pm CT, join the Datassential team for one of the biggest events of the year! We'll dive into the latest industry trends you need to know — from ingredient shortages to opportunities in gaming culture.

Note: if you already registered for the 2024 Simply Smarter series on the second Thursday of the month, there's no need to register again.

The webinar will cover:

• How consumer behaviors like delivery, mall visits, in-person dining, and catering have evolved post-pandemic
• A mid-year health checkup with the latest data on what consumers think about alternative sugars and cooking oils, plant-based foods, diets, and more
• Brand new Inception-level additions to the Menu Adoption Cycle (MAC) and items making moves across MAC stages
• The top-growing menu items of the year
• A sneak peek at 2025 trends