Wednesday, Feb. 7, 1:00pm Central
Restaurant sales are forecast to top $1T for the first time in history, and the nation’s second-largest private sector employer is on track to continue adding jobs, growing the nation’s second-largest private workforce. Get key findings, including: • Consumers love restaurants: 9 in 10 adults say they enjoy going to restaurants. • Operator opinion on competitive pressures. • Consumer outlook on the national and local economies – and how that could impact their spending. • And which costs operators are watching most closely. Hear more about the findings from the 2024 State of the Restaurant Industry report. Considered the authoritative source for industry sales projections and trends, it’s based on analysis and forecasts by National Restaurant Association economists and surveys of restaurant operators and consumers. Join us on Wed., Feb. 7, at 1 p.m. Central where Hudson Riehle, SVP of Research and Knowledge will discuss the findings and address audience questions. Register today! Register Here
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LRA Members, We Need Your Expertise!
In a recent Business Insider article, the age-old debate of splitting restaurant checks evenly versus paying separately has been thrust into the spotlight, particularly with the rising sentiment in favor of individual tabs. As diners increasingly advocate for paying only for what they consume, restaurant owners are facing the challenge of adapting to this shifting etiquette while maintaining efficient service. The article highlights the growing frustration among diners who feel burdened by the expectation of evenly splitting the bill, especially when they've ordered less or more affordable items than others in their party. With the proliferation of payment apps like Venmo and Splitwise facilitating individualized payments, the practice of evenly splitting bills is being called into question. In light of these developments, restaurant owners and members of the restaurant industry face a critical question: How can they successfully navigate this trend of individual tabs while ensuring a seamless dining experience for their customers? As members of the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA), your insights and experiences are invaluable in addressing this issue. How have you adapted your restaurant's policies or procedures to accommodate requests for separate checks? What strategies have proven effective in managing customer expectations and maintaining operational efficiency during peak dining hours? We invite LRA members to share their thoughts, strategies, and best practices for handling separate checks tableside in today's dining landscape. Your input will not only contribute to a broader understanding of this evolving trend but also provide valuable insights for fellow restaurant owners and industry professionals. Comment and tell us what you think. Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, in partnership with the LRAEF, will offer prestigious $5,000 scholarships in 2024.
Individuals will be referred to as Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Scholars, and these scholarships will empower four outstanding Louisiana students passionate about the restaurant, foodservice, tourism, or hospitality industries to pursue their higher education. Priority will be given to ProStart students with a completed NRAEF Certificate of Achievement. Deadline to apply is February 2. Apply here The NRA Educational Foundation 2024 scholarship application period is open to hospitality students at all stages of their lives, whether career changers or high-school students pursuing an industry-related post-secondary degree. Financial awards range from $2,500 to $10K and can be used toward tuition and fees, books, room and board, and other school-related expenses. All individuals are encouraged to apply through March 15 here. Card processing fees are one of the highest costs for restaurant operators, and while nearly all businesses effectively have no power to control what these fees look like, P&L statements show that these costs continue to rise. Join the Association and experts from CMSPI, a global payments advisory firm, to learn about the Association’s 2024 legislative and regulatory priorities in response to the shifting landscape of the payment ecosystem, as well as some operational practices that restaurants can implement to help mitigate the costs of card acceptance.
Register for the webinar on Wed., Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. Central. From Jordan Heiliczer, Director of Labor and Workforce Policy at the National Restaurant Association.
Today, the House of Representatives approved H.J. Res 98, a joint resolution to nullify the NLRB's joint employer rule, with a 206-177 vote tally. This bipartisan vote saw 8 Democratic members joining unanimous Republican support. Acknowledgment of Support:
The House Committee on Small Business is set to delve into the concerning issue of escalating crime rates and its repercussions on Main Street America. Titled "Crime on the Rise: How Lawlessness is Impacting Main Street America," the full committee hearing will feature testimonies from entrepreneurs, activists, law enforcement, and a restaurant operator. This critical discussion aims to shed light on the challenges faced by businesses, employees, and communities due to the surge in criminal activities
Notably, a restaurant operator will testify before Congress, providing insights into how rising crime rates adversely affect customers, employees, and overall business operations. The House Committee on Small Business, having approved the recommendation for the restaurant witness, will also hear from a police chief and a victim of anti-Semitism, broadening the scope of perspectives on the issue. The Hearing is scheduled to take place on Thursday, January 11th, at 10:00 AM. It is open to the public and can be accessed online through the Committee's YouTube channel here. The king cake tradition, dating back over 300 years, originated as a means to celebrate the “Epiphany” which commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child in Christian tradition. The term "Magi" refers to the Three Wise Men, also known as the Three Kings. Evolving across continents over centuries, the king cake has manifested in various forms, such as the southern French Brioche des Rois, the northern French Galette des Rois, and the Mexican Rosca De Reyes. However, some argue that the king cake's true breakthrough occurred in 1964 when Hurricane Betsy devastated a New Orleans donut shop, Haydel’s Sunny Flake Bakery, later rebuilt by David Haydel and Dottie Freeland, introducing their now-famous king cakes to the menu. With only minor alterations to the recipe since the 1960s, the third generation of Haydels safeguards the legacy, producing over 75,000 king cakes using the same recipe in 2016.
King cakes, whether traditional or filled, are crafted from danish dough, braided by hand with cinnamon and sugar, baked, and topped with fondant icing. The Sugar-Only King Cakes follow the same process but skip the icing. Filled King Cakes offer variations like praline pecan, cream cheese, strawberry cream cheese, German chocolate, and brownie chocolate chip, creating a filled valley on the braided dough. "Da Parish" King Cakes have purple, green, and gold sugar baked on top, generously drizzled with icing and adorned with sprinkles after baking. GRAB A BOX OF HISTORY FOR YOURSELF! https://haydelsbakery.com/featured/king-cakes/ Introduces Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Scholars
The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) proudly announces the launch of its annual scholarship program for aspiring culinarians and hospitality managers. In its continual commitment to nurturing talent and supporting culinary education, the LRAEF invites qualified individuals to apply for this scholarship opportunity. Since its establishment in 2009, the LRAEF Scholars program has been a driving force in empowering future leaders within the culinary and hospitality industries. The foundation has awarded over $750,000 in scholarships to deserving LRAEF Scholars, enabling them to pursue their educational aspirations at Louisiana post-secondary programs such as: the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University, Louisiana Culinary Institute, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of New Orleans Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism School, Holy Cross College, Delgado Community College, Northwestern University and others. This year marks a significant milestone as the LRAEF introduces the coveted Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Scholarships. Valued at $5,000 each, these scholarships represent the pinnacle of recognition for four outstanding Louisiana students dedicated to building careers in the restaurant, foodservice, tourism, or hospitality sectors. "The LRAEF Scholars program empowers people of all ages to enter into the hospitality field or further their careers in the industry," stated Jonathan Baynham, Executive Director, LRAEF. "We are excited to welcome Rasing Cane’s Chicken Fingers to the LRAEF Scholars program and thank them for committing to the future of our industry." Employers are encouraged to share this invaluable resource with their employees who are actively pursuing careers within the culinary arts, restaurant management, or hospitality fields. Applicants who have completed the ProStart program with a Certificate of Achievement will receive priority consideration for the Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Scholarships. The application window is now open, offering aspiring talents the chance to benefit from the LRAEF's commitment to educational support and professional development. To apply or learn more about the scholarship opportunities, click here. Deadline to apply is February 2, 2024. |
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May 2024
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