The shocking state of the restaurant industry: ‘We can’t afford to be open. We can’t afford to be closed.’
“Chefs and trade groups have complained that lawmakers leave them in the dark on the new laws’ details. Many said they wished more restaurateurs would be consulted by local, state and federal politicians when writing regulations that affect them.”
“They should want to be looking for ways to help the restaurants recover and survive,” said Jot Condie, president and chief executive of the California Restaurant Assn., which represents roughly 22,000 of the state’s restaurants. “I think they should first start from a place of doing no harm, or in other words: Take your foot off our neck and don’t make it worse. Then look for ways to help restaurants survive.”
California restaurants may take the state’s junk fee ban to court
The California Restaurant Association is arguing that restaurant menu items aren’t actually covered by the legislation “…documents from the shaping of SB 478 and its progress through the state legislature indicate that lawmakers didn’t discuss if and how the law would apply to restaurant service fees and surcharges… Only earlier this month did the state attorney general offer restaurant industry-specific guidance about how the law would be enforced, which caused distress among business owners.”
SUPPORTING CRF: Bob Spivak, founder of the Daily Grill, hosts dinner and book signing on May 30
Join the CRA community as we celebrate the release of Bob Spivak’s memoir: "Saved By A Blonde & A Chicken Pot Pie." A lifelong veteran of the food and beverage industry, Bob’s passion for hospitality, love of people and keen business savvy have made him both a respected and beloved figure to generations of restaurant workers and guests. Join us for a delicious 3-course meal and conversation with Bob at the Milky Way in Los Angeles on May 30. A portion of the evening’s ticket sales will benefit the California Restaurant Foundation.
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.
4 challenges to address as AI takes over the restaurant industry
“Ironically, even though a major purpose of AI is to take on menial or time-consuming tasks, it actually takes human labor to teach it to do so. Bob Schalow said that at his restaurants where he added voice AI in the drive-thru lane, you might be greeted by a computer, but the human being is listening in to take over if the conversation strays too far from the capabilities and scripting of the artificial intelligence. After all, AI has its limitations, especially in this stage of the technology development.”
The lunch rush is dead as Americans live for the weekend
“Nowhere was the shift toward evening and weekend spending starker than in Boston, one of 23 major cities Square analyzed. There, a 10.1% decline in weekday lunch transactions was more than offset by 10.3% and 1.6% increases in weekend and happy hour transactions, respectively.”
Stay compliant with CA law! Get your employees trained on sexual harassment prevention. Easily manage and track employee progress on CRA's training platform.
The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians is a sovereign government recognized by the United States of America. The Tribe owns Harrah’s Resort Southern California and are significant contributors to the San Diego County economy through job creation, tax generation, purchase of local products and services and charitable donations.
VISIT CALIFORNIA: Tourism Spending in California Reaches Record High
Travel spending in California reached a new record in 2023 as visitors from around the world flocked to the Golden State. According to a new report released by Visit California, the state’s tourism economy generated $150.4 billion in travel spending last year, surpassing the prior record $144.9 billion spent in 2019 before the pandemic halted travel. Tourism created 64,900 new jobs in California in 2023, bringing total industry employment to 1,115,000 (98% of pre-pandemic employment levels).
MARKETPLACE PARTNER RESOURCE: Embrace a new approach to your HR challenges
PAYCHEX helps you prepare for what’s ahead with insights from fellow business and HR leaders. This comprehensive survey asked companies from across various industries to share how they are prioritizing topics such as people management, operational efficiency, and the use of technology in 2024.
Did you know? CRA members receive 20% off payroll/401k administrative fees and 20% off HRS setup fees. LEARN MORE
CRA MEMBER BENEFIT: Updated English and Spanish Employment Applications
Updated job application forms are now ready for download in English and Spanish... Thank you Zaller Law Group, our CRA Legal partner, for their diligent updates to these documents!
CRA members, you must log in first before accessing the updated forms.
Dragonfly Golf Club 43369 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93636
SPONSORSHIPS & TICKETS COMING SOON
Los Angeles Chapter
SEATS ARE FILLING FAST. REGISTER NOW! LA Restaurants Leadership Roundtable: New Restaurant Growth in California and on a National Level Keeping a Concept Relevant During Turbulent Times Discussion lead by John Tallichet Specialty Restaurants Corporation JUN 24 ● 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Marmalade Cafe – El Segundo 2014 Park Pl # C4, El Segundo, CA 90245
Save Persian Gulf Museum Restaurant SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY
On April 23rd, the Persian Gulf caught fire, causing significant damage to the facility. The owner of Persian Gulf is a long-time member and past President of the LA Chapter.
Educational Seminar: Evaluating Employee Benefits and 401(k) to Keep and Attract Talent in a Tough Labor Market for Restaurants MAY 22 ● NOON - 1:30 PM
