California Restaurant Foundation celebrates triumphant year of statewide support and impact in 2023
Since 1981, the California Restaurant Foundation has invested in California’s restaurant community, empowering future leaders and offering stability to restaurants through shifting economic cycles. The foundation is proud to share 2023 was one of its best years yet, marked by $3.5 million in grants to 537 independently owned restaurants and $140,000 in scholarships to high school students. Congratulations to the CRF for a tremendous year.
Opinion: Restaurants should be wary of latest food safety training program
California law now requires restaurants to compensate employees for state-mandated food handler certifications, but not all certifications are equal. One Fair Wage (OFW) – an activist group that wants to end the tipping system around the country – launched a course called Just.Safe.Food. In a review of the draft Just.Safe.Food curriculum, the Orange County Register found the product falls short of industry standards for safe food certifications.
California's Fast-Food Council will give workers a voice in industry regulation. So, what happens next?
Ahead of California’s fast food workers getting a minimum wage hike to $20 an hour in April, the state has granted labor another historic avenue to advance their interests. The Fast Food Council, a scaled-down version of the Industrial Welfare Commissions, is slated to commence its meetings by March 15. This council will provide recommendations to labor agencies, which have the authority to adopt proposals as regulations.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: News You Need to Know: Your voice can make a difference. See you at the NRA's Public Affairs Conference April 15 -17
Join the nation's largest grassroots advocacy event for restaurants! Registration for the National Restaurant Association's Public Affairs Conference is now open this April. Restaurant operators from all over the nation will head to Capitol Hill to lobby Congress to lower swipe fees and reject the Federal Trade Commission's proposal to eliminate your discretion on whether to have service or other mandatory fees as part of your pricing structure.
Early bird registration for the conference program is now open and discounted pricing is available until February 29. Room Block: The deadline to reserve your room is March 22.
Restaurant owners need a bigger menu of health benefits packages
Despite record-breaking sales, the restaurant industry continues to face tight profit margins due to rising expenses like labor and food costs. Workforce shortages, made worse by the pandemic, pose challenges in recruiting and retaining staff, prompting some operators to offer enhanced and innovative benefits. These creative approaches aim to address employee needs and improve workforce retention.
The California Restaurant Foundation is providing up to $4,000 to students studying culinary arts, hospitality management, and related fields. Scholarships can be used for a community college, 4-year university, or trade school. Applications are accepted until May 1.
Stay compliant with CA law! Get your employees trained on sexual harassment prevention. Easily manage and track employee progress on CRA's training platform.
UPCOMING WEBINAR: CRA Legal Center Webinar with Jackson Lewis: Performance Management. Navigating the tough moments with your team
Handling difficult employees when you are desperate for staff. CRA legal partner Jackson Lewis will walk you through the performance management dos and don'ts as well as a primer in protected concerted activity.
UPCOMING WEBINAR: CRA Educational Webinar with the CA Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC): Serve alcohol on-premise?
Your servers and managers must be trained & certified through ABC within 60 days of hire. Join the CA Department of ABC and understand your obligations under the Responsible Beverage Service Training Program Act.
