Monday morning you should have received an email request to take action using our convenient platform and send your state lawmakers a letter urging them to take immediate action to clarify that last year’s SB 478 does not apply to restaurants that properly disclose service charges, surcharges, and auto-gratuities. Please ACT NOW to send a message to your legislators urging them to clarify SB 478 and resist the Attorney General's expansive interpretation of the law- after the fact! The Attorney General’s office got it wrong and expanded the reach of the new law. While our team is working tirelessly on multiple fronts to address this critical issue before the July 1 implementation date, lawmakers need to hear from large volumes of people- so join us today! Help preserve your ability to create the pricing structure that works best for you, your guests, and your team-members. Click here to quickly send your legislators a message today!
California
CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT FOUNDATION: Tickets now available: The Culinary + Cocktail Clash
The hottest ticket in town is back! Join the CRA’s foundation on June 11 for bites and beverages served poolside at the Coca-Cola West HQ in Irvine. Ten restaurant brands and their student sous chef will go head-to-head in the culinary competition. Nine restaurant brands will be shaking up cocktails. Taste them all and vote for your favorite! Tickets are $45 and benefit high school culinary arts programs. Limited tickets available, get yours today!
Californians will see lower electricity rates and a new fee that won’t vary with power use
“State utility regulators decided today to let California’s largest power providers stick their customers with a new monthly flat fee in exchange for a reduction in the overall price of electricity, a controversial change to the way that millions of households pay their utility bills with weighty implications for state climate change policy.”
LA businesses question new rules for permanent outdoor ‘al fresco’ dining
“Last year, the Los Angeles City Council approved its permanent L.A. Al Fresco program, seeking to bolster outdoor dining and support restaurants. After July 31, the temporary authorizations given out to restaurants at the beginning of the pandemic will no longer be valid.”
“But some restaurant owners, like Marsden, say the application process and the new on-site rules create serious barriers. For example, she said, it took her more than six weeks to apply for a new permit using the online account she created on the city’s website. Rules and guidelines have changed as well.”
“Even with the help of the California Restaurant Association… “It was kind of difficult to navigate.”
New - Pizza Tomorrow Summit Pavilion! This is an unprecedented opportunity to reach two dynamic and growing markets with one exhibit. Now is the time to secure your booth and capitalize on this opportunity.
Labor costs are making restaurants more expensive. Here’s what diners should know
“People get upset when it costs more to dine out. But if the prices don’t go up, restaurants will close — people quickly forget that restaurants have to make money to stay in business. And the reality is that a lot of operators aren’t making money because all these other costs have gone up and payroll is higher than ever.”
“And this isn’t just New York City or L.A. This is Daytona, Fla., Fort Hood, Texas, Anchorage, Alaska; operators are paying more in almost every market, and the smaller the market, the harder it is.”
Keeping up with diners’ expectations amid rising prices
“Since most consumers are attached to their smartphones, the best way to stay connected with their favorite restaurants is through mobile apps. However, just because most restaurant chains have hopped on the trend doesn’t mean they’ve mastered all the features diners want and need in a mobile app. To stay in the know, 46 percent of today’s diners want the ability to view their loyalty point balance, 48 percent want to place a delivery request and 56 percent want to track their order from their mobile device.”
ANSWER: If an employee does not obtain their food handler card, an employer can not continue to employ them in a capacity where a food handler card is required.
Calling all foodservice and hospitality operators! You are invited to Imperial Dade’s Innovations Expo to see the latest in foodservice packaging, cleaning supplies and equipment, and restroom products. Over 120 exhibitors will display thousands of products. Free registration!
CRA MEMBER BENEFIT: You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers!
Meet Jackie, the CRA Senior Member Services Manager. She makes it her job to help you with yours. As a CRA member, you have access to our free Helpline and Jackie’s here to answer your questions related to the industry. If she can’t, she will direct you to a resource that will. To use the Helpline, contact Jackie!
UPDATED INDUSTRY INSIGHT: Meal and rest period policies in California
Meal and rest periods are required for every five consecutive hours worked. CRA Legal partner Fisher Phillips reviews the general requirements and employer obligations.
CRA members, you must log into the website before accessing the Industry Insight.
Did you know? CRA members get one call (not to exceed 15 minutes) of legal advice every month. LEARN MORE
CRA MEMBER HIGHLIGHT: At age 59, San Francisco's Scoma's restaurant still defers to its elders
"On this week’s episode of Restaurant Rewind, Scoma’s President Mariann Costello shares how her charge has handled that challenge of balancing the new with the revered, and what has kept Scoma’s successful for six decades."
Mariann Costello is a long-time member of the CRA and Past Chair of the State Board of Directors.
