WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13
2021 Restaurant Operations and Menu Trends Report
A National Restaurant Association survey of 6,000 operators and 1,000 adult consumers reveals the operational services and menu items that most helped restaurants survive in 2020 and that will likely continue through 2021.

2021 Restaurant Trends is developed with the National Restaurant Association’s State of the Restaurant Industry report, which will be available for download Tuesday, January 26.

Click here to see the trends and top menu sellers.
New Illinois General Assembly Begins, Rep. Welch Elected as Illinois House Speaker

Today was the final legislative day for the 100th General Assembly, as the 101st General Assembly was sworn in this afternoon. Legislation that had not passed both chambers by this afternoon is effectively dead, and must be reintroduced in this new session in order to move through the legislative process.

The IRA opposed legislation that would "decouple" Illinois from the business tax breaks approved under the federal CARES Act - which would have amounted to a $1 billion tax increase on small businesses. The bill failed to pass the House.

Earlier today, Representative Emanuel "Chris" Welch was elected as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives by a vote of 70-44.

The IRA would like to congratulate Rep. Welch on his election as Speaker, and we look forward to working with him and members of the General Assembly to support and provide relief to the state's restaurant and hospitality industry.

Read more about developments from Springfield:
Tomorrow Morning - Webinar on Utilizing New Options for Generating Revenue
Tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m., join the IRA and panelists from Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen, 16” on Center, and US Foods for a webinar providing operators with ideas for new or different options for generating revenue at your business now.

Click here to register.
PPP Application Guidance

The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, has recently released guidance for the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The National Restaurant Association has distilled it into a seven-page “PPP User Manual”.

Click here to review the guidance for restaurants.
Tomorrow Afternoon - SBA Hosts Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Webinar

On Thursday, Jan. 14, at 2:00 p.m. (Central), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is hosting a webinar to give a preliminary overview of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program included in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act.

Eligible organizations with a reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have the opportunity to receive up to a $10 million grant under the program. This webinar will provide introductory information about the grants, who can apply, how potential organizations can prepare, and additional details re: eligibility and applications.

Click here to register.
In the Kitchen Live! Benefits IRAEF
Tickets for the In the Kitchen Live! event are now on-sale! Please join Aba chef and partner, CJ Jacobsen, and Chicago magazine’s host, Emily Johnson, for a five-course virtual dinner party and live cooking class on Thursday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. 

Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.
Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13.
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