October 2024

Monthly News & Updates

Chairman's Message

I hope October finds you all in good health and high spirits! As we enter the fall season, I’m proud to reflect on our community's recent accomplishments and look forward to what’s ahead for Hawaii’s restaurant industry.

First, I’d like to extend a heartfelt mahalo to everyone who made our Hawaii Restaurant Association’s 16th Annual Hall of Fame Emerald Dinner Gala such a resounding success! Held on September 30th, this prestigious event celebrated the legends of our industry—those who have made incredible contributions to Hawaii’s vibrant restaurant scene over the years. Congratulations to our 2024 Hall of Fame inductees:

• Peter Abarcar, Jr. – Mauna Kea Resort (Local Champion)
• Guy Fieri – Guy Fieri Foundation (Industry Champion)
• Tambara Garrick – Hawaii Farm Project / Maui Gold Pineapple (Industry Award)
• James H. Q. Lee – Hee Hing Corporation / Let's Eat Hawaii, LLC (Pioneer)
• Mike Rompel – Dominos Hawaii (Active Restauranteur)

Each of these outstanding individuals has left a lasting mark on our industry, and we are proud to honor their achievements. A special thanks to our signature sponsor, Y. Hata and Co., whose generous support helped make this unforgettable night possible. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and continued commitment to Hawaii’s restaurant community. Mahalo to Governor Josh Green for attending and showing his support for the restaurant industry and our local champions.

As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of the restaurant business, events like these remind us of the strength of our community and the importance of honoring our history while looking ahead to a bright future. 

Looking forward, we have exciting initiatives in the works to further support our members and the next generation of culinary professionals. Our next event will be the Legislative Meet and Greet. This will be a valuable opportunity for our members to connect directly with government officials and discuss key issues impacting our industry. Stay tuned for more information and dates! 

I encourage you to stay engaged with the HRA as we continue our mission of advocating for and uplifting our local restaurant industry.

Mahalo for your dedication, passion, and hard work. Let’s continue to build on our successes and make October another great month for Hawaii’s restaurants!

Warm regards,

Andy Huang

Chairman, Hawaii Restaurant Association

FDA New Traceability Rule: Ensuring Food Safety With Electronic Data Interchange

Earlier this year, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the final rule of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), a groundbreaking regulation designed to expedite the detection and removal of potentially contaminated food from the market. This significant update highlights the growing necessity of robust traceability throughout the food supply chain. The impact of the FDA’s new food traceability rule emphasizes the pivotal role supply chain integration technology plays in ensuring food safety and compliance.

Restaurant Food Waste Logs: Reduce Costs and Boost Sustainability

Food waste is as bad for the environment as it is for your profits. Every scrap of food that goes in the bin represents a missed opportunity to make money. And the amount of food wasted in the restaurant industry is also a disaster for the planet.

Many companies are required to report information to FinCEN about the individuals who ultimately own or control them. FinCEN began accepting reports on January 1, 2024. Learn more about reporting deadlines.

Your company may have to register your beneficial ownership information. Existing registered businesses must report information on beneficial owners with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by year end. A person who willfully violates the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements may be subject to civil penalties of up to $591 for each day that the violation continues and may also be subject to criminal penalties of up to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.*



Deadlines to report beneficial ownership are:

·    A reporting company created or registered to do business before January 1,2024, will have until January 1, 2025.

·    A reporting company created or registered in 2024 will have 90 calendar days to file after receiving actual or public notice that its creation or registration is effective.

*Please refer to the FinCEN BOI website or Frequently Asked Questions page for details.

Drive Sales with Social Media Marketing for Restaurants

Social media marketing for restaurants is one of the most direct ways to engage with diners to increase awareness, loyalty and drive sales. Thankfully, you don’t have to be a social media expert to use it effectively for your business. Check out our high-level tips for getting started on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to harness the power of social media marketing for your restaurant.

The ROI of an Operational Excellence Program



Join Steritech’s Hannah Herrera and Joe Papiro from Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen as they share how to develop a successful Operational Excellence program that not only enhances guest satisfaction but also delivers measurable ROI.

• Understand what defines a successful Operational Excellence program
• Avoid common risks when building your program
• Compare internal vs. 3rd-party Operational Excellence solutions
• Gain insights from a leading brand’s Operational Excellence journey 
• Leverage Operational Excellence program data to drive measurable change

Webinar is Thurs., Nov. 14, 2 p.m. ET. 

Top Tips for Attracting Traveling Tourists to Your Restaurant

You may already be great at attracting locals to your restaurant, but attracting traveling tourists is a slightly different ball game. It requires a strategic blend of marketing, ambiance, and unique offerings that cater to their specific needs and preferences.

Secrets to Restaurant Success with Isak Fagerholm, COO at Friends

& Brgrs, Finland

Ever wonder what it takes to scale a small family-owned restaurant into a fast-growing chain—without losing the heart and soul of the brand? 🍔 Isak Fagerholm has the answers.

Manufacturing Assistance Program

The Hawaiʻi manufacturing industry, albeit small, is important to our economy. These companies make the Made In Hawaiʻi brand a global commodity. Hawaiʻi food products, clothing, and other products are sought throughout the world. Our manufacturers need assistance in controlling costs, making sure employees are well trained, and securing the latest technology to grow their business.