Skip to content

Latest News

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.

Restaurant Resiliency: What It Means and How Operators Can Lean In During a Downturn

By tnorris95 | June 5, 2025 | Comments Off on Restaurant Resiliency: What It Means and How Operators Can Lean In During a Downturn

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…

Read More

Three Ways to Turn the Summer Slump into a Power Play

By tnorris95 | June 3, 2025 | Comments Off on Three Ways to Turn the Summer Slump into a Power Play

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…

Read More

Court Blocks Trump-Era Tariffs Under Emergency Powers

By tnorris95 | May 29, 2025 | Comments Off on Court Blocks Trump-Era Tariffs Under Emergency Powers

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,…

Read More

Dakar Nola: Chef Serigne Mbaye’s Award-Winning Blend of Senegalese and New Orleans Cuisine

By wwaren@lra.org | June 28, 2024 | Comments Off on Dakar Nola: Chef Serigne Mbaye’s Award-Winning Blend of Senegalese and New Orleans Cuisine
Serigne Mbaye

Latest News At just 30 years old, Chef Serigne Mbaye is making waves in New Orleans’ culinary scene with his restaurant Dakar Nola, which earlier this year won the most coveted of awards, the 2024 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant. This accolade is a testament to Mbaye’s dedication to bringing the flavors and…

NRA Update: “No Taxes on Tips” Act

By wwaren@lra.org | June 21, 2024 | Comments Off on NRA Update: “No Taxes on Tips” Act
Tip drawer.

Latest News On June 20, four U.S. Senators introduced the “No Taxes on Tips Act” to prevent federal income taxation on employee tips in any industry. While the proposal would eliminate the federal income tax for tips, these tips would still be subject to the federal payroll tax (“FICA”) paid by employees and employers to…

Louisiana Senate Approves Repeal of Minor Break Law

By wwaren@lra.org | May 22, 2024 | Comments Off on Louisiana Senate Approves Repeal of Minor Break Law

Latest News On Tuesday, the Louisiana Senate approved House Bill 156, which repeals a requirement that employers provide a mandatory 30-minute break to minors working shifts lasting five hours or longer, in a 26-11 vote, with a major amendment now attached to the legislation. The amendment to the bill is from from Sen. Jean-Paul Coussan and…

Lakeshore High, Chalmette High Represent Louisiana at National ProStart Invitational

By wwaren@lra.org | April 30, 2024 | Comments Off on Lakeshore High, Chalmette High Represent Louisiana at National ProStart Invitational

Latest News ​ProStart students from Lakeshore and Chalmette High Schools represented Louisiana at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, in the Culinary and Management competitions, respectively. The Lakeshore team demonstrated their techniques and creativity in the culinary competition via a three-course menu that featured scallops, beef and strawberries. Chalmette showcased their “Española” restaurant concept in…

U.S. DOL Increases New Overtime Salary Threshold

By wwaren@lra.org | April 24, 2024 | Comments Off on U.S. DOL Increases New Overtime Salary Threshold

Latest News The Department of Labor (DOL) has released its final overtime rule, significantly increasing the minimum annual salary threshold determining overtime pay eligibility under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) from $35,568 to $58,656. The rule will gradually come into effect, with an increase to $43,888 on July 1, 2024, and an increase to $58,656…

FTC Votes to Ban Non-Compete Agreements

By wwaren@lra.org | April 24, 2024 | Comments Off on FTC Votes to Ban Non-Compete Agreements

Latest News What Just Happened: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has voted to enact a far-reaching ban on non-compete agreements. This decision, resulting from a 3-2 vote, will take effect 120 days following its publication in the Federal Register. The rule aims to prohibit all new non-compete agreements and will render most existing ones unenforceable, except…

Common Restaurant Scams & How You Can Avoid Them

By wwaren@lra.org | April 16, 2024 | Comments Off on Common Restaurant Scams & How You Can Avoid Them

Latest News The Department of Labor (DOL) has released its final overtime rule, significantly increasing the minimum annual salary threshold determining overtime pay eligibility under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) from $35,568 to $58,656. The rule will gradually come into effect, with an increase to $43,888 on July 1, 2024, and an increase to $58,656…

Empowering Advocacy: Highlights from LRA Day at the Capitol

By wwaren@lra.org | April 10, 2024 | Comments Off on Empowering Advocacy: Highlights from LRA Day at the Capitol

Latest News Seventy members of the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) convened at the Capitol for a pivotal event known as LRA Day. This gathering provided a platform for industry leaders to address pressing issues facing the restaurant sector. Among the distinguished speakers were LRA President and CEO Stan Harris, Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Tim Temple,…

Flavorful Tribute: Louisiana’s Mom and Pop Restaurants Shine on National Business Day

By wwaren@lra.org | March 29, 2024 | Comments Off on Flavorful Tribute: Louisiana’s Mom and Pop Restaurants Shine on National Business Day

Latest News Don’t let the term “Mom and Pop” give you the impression that these business owners aren’t sophisticated. In the realm of restaurants, it signifies a world of dedication, versatility, and unyielding passion. A restaurant owner can seamlessly transition from chef to host, electrician to human resources manager, all in the span of a…

Serving Up Technology: New Data Shows How Tech Integration is Transforming the Restaurant Experience

By wwaren@lra.org | March 27, 2024 | Comments Off on Serving Up Technology: New Data Shows How Tech Integration is Transforming the Restaurant Experience

Latest News National Restaurant Association Technology Landscape report showcases industry innovation and where consumer desires are pushing trends Technology use in restaurants is accelerating, creating new touchpoints between restaurants and the consumers they serve, according to the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Technology Landscape Report 2024. The report, released today, identifies the varying expectations consumers have…

Scroll To Top