CRA ACTION ALERT Gift Cards at Risk- Help Us Push Back- Today!
The legislature is back in session after a summer break- and has over 1,300 pieces of legislation to consider before they adjourn for the year.
We need your help on one of the big remaining issues- gift cards. SB 1272 (Laird) will gut many gift card programs as it requires businesses, upon customer request, to cash out gift cards with a $25 value or less.
SB 1272 faces a big vote of the full Assembly any day now and we need your voice.
RESTAURANTS CARE Meet the Restaurants Selected for a 2024 Resilience Fund Grant!
278 independent restaurants and caterers across California were recently selected to receive a $5,000 from the California Restaurant Foundation. Since 2021, the Foundation has dispersed $7.3 million in grants to 1,603 restaurants. Grants, made possible by PG&E, SoCalGas, and SDG&E, are intended to build resilience in these small businesses.
Recent business closures ‘not unique’ to Sacramento, president of California Restaurant Association says
“… Jot Condie, the president and CEO of the California Restaurant Association, says while the state is seeing a “spike in restaurant closures” it’s not necessarily unique to Sacramento.”
“It’s not just unique to restaurants,” Condie said, adding that many factors contribute to a restaurant having to close its doors, including rising insurance rates, crime stats that affect those rates, and minimum wage increases.
California business leaders support Governor Newsom’s executive order to address homeless encampments with compassion
“Governor Newsom urges local officials to use this unprecedented financial assistance to provide vulnerable communities residing in encampments with the supportive services and help they need.” Jot Condie, President & CEO, California Restaurant Association: “CRA applauds Governor Newsom for issuing an executive order … to humanely clear homeless encampments. Restaurants have been on the front lines as individuals that need help are increasingly engaging in unsafe behaviors harmful to our staff and guests and are left in inhumane circumstances on our streets. The time has come for a bold and different approach.”
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.
What do chain restaurant closures say about the economy?
“As a whole, restaurants are gaining more ground than they are losing, data suggests. The National Restaurant Association, a trade group for the industry, forecasts that restaurants will bring in a record $1 trillion in revenue in 2024, and add 200,000 jobs. Data on retail sales from the Census Bureau show the industry growing too, with sales at food service and drinking places—the category that includes restaurants—up 6% in the first six months of the year compared to the year before.”
You’ll find immediately actionable ideas for your business – from marketing and legal, to operations and leadership. Plus you’ll have access to the leading vendors supporting the restaurant and foodservice community.
The Uniform Experts at Dickies® and Red Kap® know culinary uniforms like you know your kitchen. With a combined 200 years of uniform expertise, their full menu of uniform solutions is sure to fit you and your team’s needs.
CRA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Coastal Payroll Q&A from the CRA — a short read
Get to know Coastal Payroll – helping restaurants thrive by making payroll & HR a breeze. Custom solutions for improved efficiency and compliance, supported by an unparalleled service model.
NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW Can California afford another minimum wage increase?
The upcoming November 2024 ballot will include Proposition 32, which aims to increase the minimum wage to $18. The statewide minimum wage has increased nine out of the last ten years and is currently $16. Over the past three years, prices have increased by more than 20% and Prop. 32 will continue to raise costs for family-owned businesses and force small employers to increase prices. In fact, Prop.32 has been pegged to cost state and local governments billions of dollars. These facts- current voted sentiments- and no meaningful support campaign make Prop. 32 vulnerable this November; Sabrina tells us more in this week's News You Need to Know.
You are invited to join fellow industry leaders at The Grateful Table dinner, a magical evening dedicated to supporting our food families. Together, we will raise a glass and raise funds for the Restaurants Care relief fund.
🔖 Fresno Wage Theft Ordinance Launch The City Attorney and Councilmember Tyler Maxwell announced the City is mobilized to begin receiving wage theft claims. This ordinance was passed in February. The first protection workshop for employees and community organizations begins on Aug. 20, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The first wage protection workshop for employers will be on Oct. 22, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. LEARN MORE
Annual Golf Tournament OCT 21
Dragonfly Golf Club 43369 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93636
🔎 Al Fresco Deadline Extended Mayor Bass announced the extension of the Al Fresco application deadline.
If you currently offer outdoor dining, under a temporary Al Fresco authorization, your business will need to establish a permanent Al Fresco area before December 31st or your temporary authorization will no longer be valid. If you have yet to, please apply as soon as possible. If you have missed any of the previous webinars that the city has hosted and are interested in learning more about Al Fresco dining on-street, sidewalk, or on private property, you can learn more on Al Fresco's dedicated website.
Previous webinar materials can be accessed below:
On-Street and Sidewalk Dining Program and Policies | SLIDES ● RECORDING
Private Property Outdoor Dining Program and Policies | SLIDES ● RECORDING
LA Restaurants Leadership Roundtable: Path for Full-Service Restaurant Growth in California. Focus on Viability and Profitability. Discussion led 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
.png?upscale=true&width=520&upscale=true&name=WF24%20-%20The%20Source%20-%20Square%20Ads%20(2).png)
