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California

California junk fee law: Restaurants could be exempt under last-minute bill

“State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation Thursday that would allow California restaurants to continue to charge automatic fees to diners, potentially reversing part of a controversial state law that will otherwise make them illegal in just three weeks.”

“This will enable restaurants to continue to support increased pay equity and to make contributions to worker health care and other employee benefits,” Matthew Sutton, the restaurant association’s senior vice president of government affairs and public policy​, said in a news release. “And, importantly, consumers will remain empowered to make informed choices about where they choose to dine out.”

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California is sitting on millions that could boost wage theft response

“The law, known as the Private Attorneys General Act, generates millions each year for a state fund reserved for enforcing state labor laws, including those against wage theft.”

“The money comes from the state’s cut of the settlements and fines that businesses pay in response to these lawsuits. In 2022-23 they left $197 million in the fund unspent; the 2023-24 budget leaves $170 million.”

“But the fund’s single biggest use in the past five years has been to shore up the state budget. In 2020, the state borrowed $107 million from the labor fund for other uses. In April, an early budget deal between Newsom and legislative leaders allowed the state to borrow another $125 million as they sought to reduce a record shortfall.”

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RESTAURANTS CARE UPDATE:
Resilience Fund is back

Applications open June 15th - 30th! 

Remember to set your alarm for June 15th. Independent restaurants and commercial caterers are invited to apply for $5,000 to build resilience through technology upgrades, equipment upgrades, employee training/retention, and unforeseen hardship.

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Help spread the word by downloading and sharing their social posts on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn!

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Workers' comp that's worth switching for. EMPLOYERS.

Over 100 years of experience: Helping hospitality workers in times of need

EMPLOYERS® is the California Restaurant Association's preferred workers’ compensation insurance provider. We offer workers’ compensation insurance and services to CRA members through our network of independent insurance agents.

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National

The unlikely new real-estate darling: Restaurants

“Food services accounted for more than 19% of all retail leases last year, rising in recent years to the highest proportion for any category since data firm CoStar Group began tracking the statistic in 2007.”

“The uptick reflects how Americans are spending more time and money at restaurants, from fine-dining hot spots to fast-casual chains. Low unemployment, rising wages, the ascent of “foodie culture” and millennials’ tendency to marry and have children later than previous generations have likely contributed to increased restaurant spending in recent years, analysts say. Single households are less likely to grocery shop than families.”

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Heat waves are making restaurant kitchens unsafe. Workers are fighting back

“Stories of working under heat stress are common in the restaurant and food service industry, where back-of-house workers stationed “on the line” must stay on their feet for hours, cooking and prepping next to hot stoves, ovens, fryers, and more. But increasingly, this workforce must contend with an additional source of heat exposure: the record-breaking summer temperatures and heat waves taking place outside the kitchen.”

“Homegrown workers unionized with Unite Here Local 8, which represents about 4,000 hospitality workers in Oregon and Washington state. Anita Seth, the president of Unite Here Local 8, said the goal of the Homegrown heat pay language is to “really incentivize the employer to update and improve their heat mitigation systems,” which could include repairing and maintaining AC but also installing shade coverings for windows.”

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New State Law SB 476. Responsibilities have shifted. Get your employees certified with ServSafe Food Handler. Click here.

Questions about the Food Handler Card training?

We’ve got answers. Check out some of our recent frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the Food Handler Card Training.

Purchase the training now and get 25% off with promo code: EMPLOYEE20

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SB 553 requires California employers to create and implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) by July 1, 2024. Need WVPP Help? Learn more.

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39th Annual Gold Medallion - Platinum Sponsor: SDG&E

San Diego Gas and Electric® (SDG&E®) Supports the Economic Prosperity of our Region

At SDG&E®, we value being an integral part of the communities where we provide the #1 most reliable electric service in the nation and where we live and work. Through our charitable investments, we are committed to fostering job creation, promoting leadership and inspiring innovation.

Thank you for being a Platinum sponsor of the 39th Annual Gold Medallion!

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CRA News

LEGAL PARTNER CONTENT:
California employer’s obligations to develop Workplace Violence Prevention Plan by July 1, 2024

California employers will be required to implement specific measures for workplace safety by July 1, 2024. This legislation compels most non-health care-related businesses to review and develop certain workplace violence measures by mandating the creation, execution, ongoing maintenance, and employee training of a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP). CRA Legal partner Zaller Law Group outlines five issues employers need to understand.

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CRA MEMBER BENEFIT UPDATE:
Wage Track – April 2024

Since our January 2024 report, median wage trends in the restaurant and food service industry are up across the board with minimal exceptions. With the April 1 implementation of the Fast Act, we anticipated significant wage growth particularly in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) segment.

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MARKETPLACE PARTNER RESOURCE:
A temporary device can help with summer ramp up

If your business is in a tourist or recreation destination, summer may be your busiest sales season. Ensure you are prepared to manage the increased summer sales volume effectively. CRA Marketplace partner Elavon reviews the importance of having a temporary device.

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Welcome to the CRA Table!

Restaurant + Allied Members

Meridians Restaurant / Sun City Lincoln Hills Community Association

Bayside

JMJ Enterprises, Inc. dba Someone's in the Kitchen

Choix Enterprise, LLC dba Mariscos Choix

Chill Catering LLC

Bigs Fullerton, Inc. dba Bigs Grill

Shelter Social Club, LLC dba Chiefs Peak Bar

Wetzel's Pretzels

Pellegrini LLC dba Piazza Pellegrini

The Happy Viking Sports Pub & Eatery

LUNA Mexican Kitchen, LLC

Sam's Italian Deli & Market

Lodge Bread Hospitality Group, LLC

Pendry San Diego

Pacific Southwest Restaurants dba Du-Par's Restaurant

Tokyo Steak House

Picnic Mission Bay, LLC dba Mission Bay Beach Club

DDR Pizza, Inc. dba Domino's Pizza

La Mina Cantina

SFP Development Company, LLC dba MOD Pizza

Fig Tree Restaurant, Inc.

Monterey Peninsula Country Club

Korean Farm, Inc.

Premier Food and Oils Company

Entegra Procurement Services

IFPack/International Food Packaging

Corbett Restaurant Group

Roto Rooter Service Company

Math for Food

Romero Distilling Company Ltd.

Event Calendar

VIEW MORE EVENTS

JUN 12

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

CRA Legal Center Webinar with Berliner Cohen: Getting you ready for July 1st: Workplace Violence Prevention Plan

MORE INFO

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JUL 12 - 14

8:00 AM - NOON

CCWC 20th Annual Conference: Legislative & Educational Forum Presented by Sedgwick

MORE INFO

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JUN 16

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Sacramento: ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certification (IN-PERSON)

MORE INFO

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JUL 18

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Sac Summer Educational Session: How to Refresh Your Restaurant with Jessica Marshall

MORE INFO

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Chapters & Networking

FRESNO  ●  LOS ANGELES  ●  ORANGE  ●  SACRAMENTO  ●  SAN DIEGO

Fresno Chapter

Fresno Annual Golf Tournament 2023

Annual Golf Tournament
OCT 21

Dragonfly Golf Club
43369 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93636

SPONSORSHIPS & TICKETS COMING SOON

Los Angeles Chapter

🔎 Permanent Al Fresco Program for City of Los Angeles
WEBINAR SCHEDULE
The Permanent Al Fresco Program for the City of Los Angeles went into effect on January 31, 2024. Under the permanent program, all temporary permits under the COVID-19 emergency order will no longer be valid after July 31, 2024. If you wish to continue offering al fresco dining at your restaurant, you must apply for a permit under the permanent program.

The City of Los Angeles hosted a series of monthly Webinars to answer any questions and provide additional guidance to all restaurant business owners.

  • Welcome! Council District 1 Al Fresco Teach-In 2/27 SLIDES
  • On-Street and Sidewalk Dining Program and Policies | SLIDES  ●  RECORDING
  • Private Property Outdoor Dining Program and Policies | SLIDES  ●  RECORDING
  • On-Street and Sidewalk Dining | SLIDES  ●  RECORDING 
  • Private Property Outdoor Dining | SLIDES  ●  RECORDING  
  • Al Fresco in the Coastal Zone | COMING SOON
🚗 Los Angeles County Third-Party Delivery Platform Ordinance
During the COVID Pandemic, L.A. County enacted an emergency Ordinance that capped delivery fees for Third-Party Delivery Services at 20% of the order total.
The County officially ended its local COVID emergency declaration on March 31, 2023, and is recommending an update to the existing COVID-19 emergency language in the County Code that would remove the 20% cap on delivery and service fees and adjust to a 15% cap on delivery. In addition, it will also allow restaurants to opt into additional services at their own discretion. This ordinance will only impact the unincorporated parts of the county. The Department of Economic Opportunity is asking for feedback on the proposed changes to the existing Ordinance and kindly ask that you fill out the brief 5-minute survey. You can fill out the survey here.
LA Restaurant Leadership Roundtable

LA Restaurants Leadership Roundtable: Path for Full-Service Restaurant Growth in California. Focus on Viability and Profitability. lead by Amanda Ho, Co-Owner & CEO, Great Maple
AUG 19 ● 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Marmalade Cafe – El Segundo
2014 Park Pl # C4, El Segundo, CA 90245

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Orange County Chapter

Summer Networking Mixer at The Cliff Restaurant

Summer Sunset Mixer
JUL 17 ● 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The Cliff Restaurant
577 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

REGISTER NOW

End of Year Networking Mixer at Puesto Anaheim

End of Year Networking Mixer
OCT 23 ● 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Puesto Anaheim
1040 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802

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Sacramento Chapter

Restaurant rendering by Jessica Marshall

Sac Summer Educational Session:
How to Refresh Your Restaurant with Jessica Marshall
JUL 18 ● 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Society Bistro, 1331 O St., Sacramento, CA 95814

REGISTER NOW

Sac Summer Networking Mixer
JUL 18 ● 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Society Bistro, 1331 O St., Sacramento, CA 95814

REGISTER NOW

Paws, Pubs & Grubs

Paws, Pubs, and Grubs!
NOV 06 ● 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

California State Railroad Museum
125 I St., Sacramento, CA 95814

REGISTER NOW

San Diego Chapter

Gold Medallion logo

San Diego Chapter: 39th Annual Gold Medallion Awards
JUN 25 ● 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Town and Country Resort Hotel
500 Hotel Cir N., San Diego, CA 92108

PURCHASE TICKET OR BECOME A SPONSOR

Padres Industry Night tickets

Padres Industry Night tickets: SD Padres vs. Minnesota Twins
AUG 20 ● 6:30 PM

Petco Park
100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101

SNAG THIS DEAL BEFORE THE PRICE GOES UP

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