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On the Radar: Latest Trends & Updates
Here, you'll find timely updates, industry insights, and exciting announcements about our association and the vibrant restaurant community we serve. Stay informed about upcoming events, important initiatives, and key developments that impact our industry. We’re thrilled to keep you connected and engaged with the latest happenings in the world of hospitality.
Latest News In today’s digital world, small businesses are always looking for ways to gain visibility. Media coverage can be a powerful growth tool, but it also creates opportunities for scammers. Recently, Lauren Haydel, owner of Fleurty Girl boutiques in New Orleans, Metairie, and Bay St. Louis, shared her close call with such a scam.…
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Latest News Across the country, restaurants are facing unprecedented challenges: skyrocketing food costs, higher rent, staffing shortages, and shifting customer habits. For some, these pressures have meant permanent closure. For others, the turning point came not from a bank loan or investor-but from a flood of social media posts. One striking national example came from…
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Latest News The Trump Administration’s recent announcement of new tariffs on food and beverage imports is drawing serious concern from the restaurant industry. These changes, which go into effect this month, are expected to raise the cost of key ingredients-potentially impacting everything from coffee and wine to burgers and beef. With wholesale food prices already…
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Latest News Metairie, La. – The shaker tins have settled, the ice has melted, and the judges have spoken. The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is thrilled to announce the winners of the Four Roses Bourbon “Twist on a Classic” Cocktail Competition, held August 3 at the 2025 LRA Showcase in New Orleans. Presented by Four…
Latest News Effective August 1, 2025, updates in Louisiana’s unemployment compensation system will be implemented to align with the outcome of recent legislation. Governor Landry has signed into law amendments to R.S. 23:1541(A) and 1576, aimed at enhancing employer contributions, managing the social charge account, and refining the unemployment benefit charges. Key Changes Include: Employer…
Latest News At the Louisiana Restaurant Association, we work year-round to advocate for the restaurant and hospitality industry at the state Capitol, in local councils, and within agencies across Louisiana. And today, we’re proud to share that your voice has been heard on the federal level as well-thanks to our powerful partnership with the National…
Latest News What is Restaurant Resiliency? Restaurant resiliency is the capacity of a restaurant to withstand shocks, adapt to evolving conditions, and recover swiftly from disruption-whether due to natural disasters, economic downturns, or global crises like pandemics. It’s more than survival; it’s the ability to regroup, rethink, and reemerge stronger. In Louisiana, we’ve learned firsthand-through…
Latest News From high-profile eateries to neighborhood favorites, the news has been constant: restaurants are closing their doors just ahead of what’s traditionally the slowest season of the year for the industry. The mounting costs of operating a brick-and-mortar business-sky-high rents, rising insurance premiums, inflated food and labor costs, utility bills, service fees, and even…
Latest News June 2, 2025 Call for Bartenders: Four Roses Bourbon “Twist on a Classic” Cocktail Competition at the LRA Showcase 2025 Metairie, La. – Calling all cocktail creatives! The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) invites bartenders from across the state to enter the Four Roses Bourbon “Twist on a Classic” Cocktail Competition, taking place Sunday,…
Latest News A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of International Trade has ruled that former President Donald Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by imposing sweeping tariffs. These tariffs included a universal 10% duty on imports and higher, country-specific rates targeting nations such as Canada, Mexico, and China,…
Latest News In a significant win for restaurants and small businesses across the country, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the highly anticipated reconciliation bill-delivering on all of the National Restaurant Association’s top priorities. This legislation includes a powerful slate of pro-business provisions that will directly benefit independent restaurant owners, employees, and the communities…
Latest News Big dreams are heating up in the kitchen for ProStart students from W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center in Lafayette! The Louisiana Restaurant Association is thrilled to share that this talented group was selected for the first-ever JumpStart Initiative by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). From May 17-20, the students…
Latest News Students create and pitch an original restaurant concept, complete with a business proposal, marketing plan, and operations strategy Chalmette High School’s ProStart Management Team has made Louisiana history, capturing first place at the 2025 National ProStart Invitational (NPSI), held May 2-4 in Baltimore, Maryland. Competing against the best and brightest ProStart students from…