After the wildfires, L.A. restaurants face an altered dining scene
“Lorena Jurado, who co-owns Little Ripper wine bar in Glassell Park along with husband Rex Roberts, said many L.A. restaurants had been struggling to find their footing after covid and the writers strike. They were already bracing for a slow start to the year, but the fires plunged them into new territory… They’ve decided to close on Wednesday nights, and they’re considering doing away with dinner service altogether, depending on how the spring goes. ‘Our biggest worry, and what we carry so heavily, is paying our staff and making sure that they feel they have job security,’ she said. ‘We’re struggling to do that right now.’”
Allstate expects $1.1 billion in losses from Los Angeles fires
“State Farm General, California’s largest home insurer, has not released its losses but asked state officials Monday for an emergency rate hike averaging 22%, saying the fires have put the company in dire financial straits.
“…The insurer said the rate hike is necessary to rebuild the company’s capital base so it will not have to “further constrain” its ability to provide home insurance in the state. Industry ratings agencies have said they expect such insurance premium increases because of the fires.”
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NRA: 95% of restaurant operators say diners are more value-conscious
“Prices will continue to be top of mind for diners. Seventy-five percent of all adults surveyed said they would consider a daily special, discount or value promotion when going to a QSR, snack shop, deli or coffee shop, per NRA’s report.”
Egg problems driving up prices at Waffle House and others could persist
“The cost of eggs is unlikely to drop before May, industry experts said, because springtime could bring fresh exposure to the virus, which can spread through migratory birds moving in the fall and spring. CRA member Sam Manolakas, partner at Brookfields Restaurants in California, said the price for a 15-dozen case of eggs increased from $35 to $135 in the past six months, driving the ingredient cost of a three-egg omelet from 60 cents to $2.25, excluding cheese and other add-ons. ‘We’re really feeling the dollar crunch and the availability crunch,’ he said. Last week, Brookfields reprinted its menus and raised the price of every egg dish by 50 cents. Customers seemed to understand the change, Manolakas said: ‘When they go to the market, they can’t find eggs.’”
Front & Back of House Certification These programs are designed to provide restaurant employees with the skills, knowledge, and training needed to perform their job responsibilities.
Already have a learning management system? You can purchase these trainings al a carte.
CRA MARKETPLACE PARTNER CONTENT Push back on chargebacks
Unchallenged chargebacks can result in significant losses for your business due to lost sales and additional fees. However, disputing invalid chargebacks can be beneficial if you have an effective strategy in place. CRA Marketplace partner U.S. Bank | Elavon has created helpful guidelines for contesting chargebacks.
LEGAL CENTER PARTNER CONTENT Do your workplace romance policies need an update?
Love is in the air on Valentine’s Day, and recent research suggests that romance may have made its way into the workplace, even with the rise of remote work. Office romances are still quite common. CRA Legal Center partner Fisher Phillips highlights four key points for employers to consider when evaluating whether their policies on office relationships should be updated to reflect the modern realities of the workplace.
LEGAL CENTER WEBINAR Understanding the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and its impact on your restaurant with Jackson Lewis
Mar 12, 2025 | 10:00 AM
Join us for a webinar on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), an important law that may impact your workplace policies. Whether you're knowledgeable about the PWFA or seeking clarity, this session will offer insights to help ensure compliance and foster a healthier, inclusive workplace.
This free program recognizes businesses that are water efficient in their operations and/or helps to achieve that status by working with them to upgrade or update inefficient fixtures, which are covered mainly by rebates or free fixtures from the District. Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a non-profit water provider for six south Orange County cities (including Irvine, Lake Forest, parts of Tustin, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, and unincorporated Orange County founded in 1961.
