URA'S FAREWELL TO 2016 + WHAT'S HOT FOR 2017

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT December 2016

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Utah Restaurant Association 2016 Year in Review

We are the voice of Utah's Restaurant Industry!

Written by Melva Sine President & CEO of the Utah Restaurant Association

There is no denying that challenges abound in the restaurant industry. The goal of the Utah Restaurant Association has been to help restaurant operators successfully distinguish their brands and build sales in this ever changing economic environment. The URA has focused on maximizing our marketing efforts to "engage, educate, and entertain the consumer with a sumptuous variety of programing and advertising strategies.

These advertising and promotional efforts have helped guide Utah to the position of the THIRD fastest growing restaurant industry in the nation, well on our way to FIRST... Utah can proudly brag about our over 4,700 restaurant locations in the state, the $4.4 billion dollars in sales. The restaurant industry generates over $337 million dollars in state and local taxes. Restaurants are the industry of opportunity and provide over 93,000 jobs in the state of Utah. As the third fastest growing restaurant economy in the nation with one of the lowest unemployment rates, the URA Board of Directors has fully supported along with state legislators, educators, students, and parents, the ProStart program which is fully implemented in 60 high schools in the state of Utah engages students in preparing for a career in the restaurant industry and teaches an advance course in Restaurant Management with a strong focus on culinary skills.

The URA has announced a new partnership with United Healthcare to guide operators through the challenging Affordable Care Act rules and regulations. Members receive discounts and programs that are only available through the URA. Workers Compensation Fund of Utah just signed on as a new URA partner and is offering a 5% discount on premiums to all members of the URA. Heartland Payment Systems is the URA exclusive partner for credit card processing. Greg Childs leads the way on providing the most outstanding customer service to our restaurants in the state. (He may not always be able to beat the competition pricing, but under his leadership, Heartland will beat any competitor on the customer service side

of the credit card processing business).

The URA as the voice of the industry in Utah works diligently to represent the needs of the industry at all levels of legislation and regulation. From alcohol policy to local health rules, the URA represents the needs and concerns of the industry. The URA uses the services of a contract lobbyist on Capitol Hill in Utah and the NRA has several lobbyists at the

national level.The URA is moving forward to insure a prosperous
New Year for the restaurant industry in the state of Utah.

Finally I would like to thank all our members, supporters and industry allies for all you do within Utah's Restaurant and Food Service Industry. Wishing you and yours a very warm, safe and fulfilling holiday season. May you have a prosperous new year!

A complete letter from President & CEO of the URA, Melva Sine will be released in the December
issue of Taste Utah Magazine. For the 2016 Restaurant Industry In Review and
2017 Restaurant Industry Forecast in it's entirety CLICK HERE.

URA NEWS: COMPETE FOR A CHANCE OF A LIFETIME !

The Utah Restaurant Association and Taste Utah are please to partner with The Shops At South Town to host this incredible event. Please pass along this exciting opportunity to any individual you know would love a shot to compete

for a dream to open their very own quick service eatery space and a $50,000 investment prize at The Shops At South Town. THIS IS A DO NOT MISS.
The public is invited to attend,

vote & help make ONE extraordinary chef's dream come true.

To view as PDF CLICK HERE.

Contact:

Lindsay Burgee - Pacific Retail

E: Lburgee@pacificretail.com

P: 310.367.3463

TEENCHEF PRO

CAN YOU TAKE THE HEAT?

Emmy Award Winning TeenChef Pro guides 12 TeenChef hopefuls from a sea of Utah's best teen chefs to compete for the title of TeenChef Pro Champion,

a 4-year scholarship to Johnson & Wales University and to become America's next great chef. The 12 TeenChefs are mentored by 3 of Utah's most talented MentorChefs. Every episode features a fundamental ProStart Culinary Skill introduced by an incredible guest judge appearance and plenty of heat in the kitchen.

ProStart is the Utah Restaurant Association's school-to-career curriculum providing juniors and seniors in high school with critical skills they will need to enter the restaurant industry at a competitive and experienced level.

Stay informed as we reveal the exciting cast, behind the scenes exclusives and more on facebook and instagram.

Each week play along through the You Be The Judge Contest.

Don't miss the action and be sure to catch up on all episodes
HERE to cheer on your favorite TeenChef.

INDUSTRY NEWS

The Utah Restaurant Association is Thrilled

to Announce a Partnership

with Workers Compensation Fund Of Utah and

A Workers' Compensation Program Designed for URA Members!

THE PROGRAM

The Utah Restaurant Association has endorsed WCF Insurance(WCF) as the carrier for URA members' workers' compensation coverage.
By combining benefits designed to meet URA members' needs with traditional services, the program offers the most comprehensive workers' compensation package available.

PREMIUM DISCOUNT

Eligible and enrolled URA members qualify for a 5% discount on their workers' compensation Premiums.

PERSONALIZED SERVICE

Members have account service teams that work with the company to develop and implement a custom-tailored service plan that meets your needs.

LOSS PREVENTION

Participating URA members are required to comply with program provisions, including attendance at two industry-specific safety classes or seminars annually. To help meet this requirement, WCF's Safety Department offers FREE seminars exclusively for members in addition to classes already offered throughout the year.

CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

WCF offers the most convenient and exceptional claims management in the state. Claims can be filed at WFC.com or by phone or fax. Members can also utilize WCF's secure website to view filed claims, print loss runs and access other policy-specific information.

EPLI AND DATA BREACH COVERAGE

URA members are also eligible to obtain Employment Practices Liability Insurance and Data Breach Coverage. Ask your insurance agent or marketing representative for more details.

Remember, the ONLY way your business is eligible for this incredible program is through membership with the Utah Restaurant Association. The URA values it's members and strives to provide such incentives and programs through innovative and strategic partnerships as the Workers' Compensation Fund.
Don't hesitate to contact:

WCF

Chris Swensen
cswesen@wcf.com
385.351.8408

URA
Melva Sine
info@UtahRestaurantAssociation.org
801.274.7309

INDUSTRY NEWS

The National Restaurant Association surveyed nearly 1,300 professional chefs - members of the American Culinary Federation - on which food, cuisines,
beverages and culinary will be hot trends on menus in 2017.

TOP TEN CONCEPT TRENDS FOR 2017

1. HYPER-LOCAL SOURCING

2. CHEF-DRIVEN FAST-CASUAL CONCEPTS

3. NATURAL INGREDIENTS / CLEAN MENUS

4. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

5. LOCALLY SOURCED PRODUCE

6. LOCALLY SOURCED MEAT & SEAFOOD

7. FOOD WASTE REDUCTION

8. MEAL KITS

9. SIMPLICITY / BACK TO BASICS

10. NUTRITION

TOP TEN FOOD CONCEPT FOR 2017

1. NEW CUTS OF MEAT

2. CHEF-DRIVEN FAST CASUAL CONCEPTS

3. NATURAL INGREDIENTS / CLEAN MENUS

4. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

5. LOCALLY SOURCED PRODUCE

6. LOCALLY SOURCED MEATS & SEAFOOD

7. FOOD WASTE REDUCTION

8. MEAL KITS

9. SIMPLICITY / BACK TO BASICS

10. NUTRITION

"Menu trends today are beginning to shift from ingredient-based items to concept-based ideas, mirroring how consumers tend to adapt their activities to their overall lifestyle philosophies."

HUDSON RIEHLE

SVP OF RESEARCH NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION

For a complete list, including 13 pages of restaurant specific trends for 2017 CLICK HERE.

TASTE UTAH BYTES

UTAH DINING IS THE DESTINATION

"Hungry for more Utah Dining Destinations?
Sample our Taste Utah Bytes with Jami and Katy and their special guest FOX13's Big Budah.
As part of the Taste Utah marketing campaign, Katy & Jami are visiting Utah restaurants monthly with Big Budah at 11:00am on Fox 13 coming January 2017.
We are committed to branding the state of Utah as a dining destination
and supporting our member base as we strive to grow Utah's restaurant industry.

Check out the TASTE UTAH BYTES here and get tasting with us.

You can be a part of the Taste Utah campaign. Affordable commercial air-time for your business is available for the second season of Taste Utah.

contact Katy Sine: Katy@UtahRestaurantAssociation.org
URA Office: 801.274.7309

TRAINING & SUPPORT

5% MAKES A DIFFERENCE

UNITED HEALTHCARE

Together, the NRA, URA and UnitedHealthCare offer special advantages for our members.

* Health Care reform guidance and solutions around the Affordable Care Act.
* Exclusive savings for members.
* Wellness programs & services.
* Bilingual resources for Hispanic/Latino owners operators and employees.

SERVICE ANIMALS FYI

Federal and State laws regarding service dogs verses comfort dogs and how this relates to your food establishment can be difficult to maneuver with clarity. There is a clear distinction indicated through laws, and now Utah businesses will be required to post the state laws inside their facility. Please refer to the link provided and don't hesitate to call our office if you have any questions regarding this topic and the law.

TASTE UTAH

ARE YOU TASTING UTAH?

Behind every good food story, is a great people story.

Season 2 of Taste Utah is coming to Fox 13 January 2017.
Once again we have traveled the state to uncover incredible Utah food stories and the people that make Utah's food industry so unique.

Don't forget to visit www.TasteUT.com - Utah's innovative dining guide

featuring videos and photos where you can see your next dining destination for yourself. Hashtag #TasteUTAH on instagram to have your restaurant's food photos featured on the Taste Utah virtual dining guide at www.TasteUT.com.

THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE MARKETING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR RESTAURANT.
DON'T MISS OUT!

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Utah Restaurant Association

utahrestaurantassociation.org
info@utahrestaurantassociation.org