ATTN: New ADA Class Action Claims

The attorneys at Jackson Lewis have recently made us aware of new class action claims regarding lack of braille characters on restaurant gift cards. The claim alleges that businesses are violating ADA regulations by not including braille on gift cards, making them inaccessible to the blind and visually impaired.

These new class action suits were filed in the U.S.D.C. Southern District of New York and more likely will follow. Businesses should consult with counsel for assistance identifying Title III preventive measures and staying on top of legislative and case law developments affecting this area. For more information on who to contact if you need assistance with this, please call us at (518)452-4222
GROW WEBINAR on 11/20 | 5 Key Elements Your Digital Presence Needs to Increase Sales

This webinar will teach you:
  • What makes people decide to like your website, your business and your brand.
  • How to establish your business as the restaurant everyone wants to visit.
  • The #1 reason people decide to buy.
  • The key elements you must have on your website.

NYSRA members can use code NYSRAWEB19 to register for free!

Restaurant Industry Wasted Food Forum

Join the NYSRA Rochester Chapter and the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute on Monday, November 4th to learn how to help reduce the nearly 11.4 million tons of food waste generated by U.S. restaurants each year.

About 50% of U.S. restaurants already practice food donation and food waste reduction, and for every dollar invested in reduction, data shows an average $8 in cost savings.

Agenda Highlights:
  • Hear from your peer restaurants about specific examples of food rescue and food waste reduction initiatives
  • Identify implementable solutions that will help reduce food waste and save money
  • Connect with local food recovery and food waste hauling resources
A Glimpse into the Restaurant Kitchen of the Future

Kitchens are becoming smaller and more streamlined as restaurants increasingly look for ways to reduce costs and optimize their operations for on- and off-premises dining.

Here’s a look at how restaurant footprints are changing to give operators a competitive advantage.

From March 8-10, the 27th International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York will be co-located once again with Healthy Food Expo New York and Coffee Fest at the Javits Center in New York City. This three- day event will be the gathering place for thousands of restaurant, foodservice, and food retail professionals who will have access to all three shows offering the largest food & beverage experience in the Northeast. NYSRA members get 2 free tickets to the show, registration is now open so reserve your badges now. 

Beyond Cups and Crayons: How Restaurants Need to Re-Think the Family Experience

For restaurants to stand out in a crowded marketplace, they need to consider how their brand resonates with families. As more millennials become parents and have young children to take into consideration when making dining decisions, restaurants must keep up with their needs. According to 2017 data from Technomic’s Consumer Brand Metrics, families have a 30% to 40% percent higher guest check than those dining without children. Kids cups, crayons, and coloring sheets are the cost of entry when it comes to enticing families—millennial parents and their families want to enjoy a complete experience at a restaurant, which includes the environment, service, and an appealing menu.

A startup just announced the world’s first fake-meat “steaks” made from fungi. Are we ready?

A Boulder, Colorado-based startup has opened a new frontier in the world of vegan meat replacements. The company, Emergy Foods, announced on Tuesday morning the imminent launch of a brand called Meati Foods—the world’s first line of fungi-based steaks. 

At first glance, Emergy appears to be another company jumping on the  plant-based bandwagon . Across the food sector, well-financed companies are racing to  replicate the taste and texture  of animal protein without actually using meat. But this new offering is fundamentally different from Beyond Beef and the Impossible Burger.