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.
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.…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
Latest News Desmond Stewart Takes Top Honors at Four Roses Bourbon Smash Showdown The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA), in partnership with Republic National Distributing Company, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, and Louisiana Libations, is proud to announce the winners of the Four Roses Bourbon Smash Showdown. The event, held on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at…
Latest News By Fisher Phillips, Authors Steve Bernstein, Josh Nadreau and John Polson In an 11th-hour decision, a federal court judge in Texas just struck down the Labor Board’s controversial joint employer rule right before it was set to take effect on Monday. The NLRB had aimed to make it far easier for workers to…
Latest News The NLRB withdrew its appeal to the 5th Circut decision vacating the 2023 Joint Employer Rule, putting a “direct and immediate” standard back in place. Washington, D.C. – Friday, July 19, 2024, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was granted a request to withdraw its appeal of the United States District Court in the Eastern…
Latest News What Just Happened: Earlier today, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a proposed rule outlining steps employers would be required to take to protect indoor and outdoor workers from the risk of heat illness. This rule applies to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work, with limited exceptions. Public comments are due 120 days…
Latest News A group of young women from two ProStart programs in New Orleans are headed to Walt Disney World for an exclusive, all-expenses-paid culinary journey in honor of Chef Leah Chase, who inspired the animated motion picture The Princess and the Frog. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the newest attraction at Magic Kingdom Park, honors not only…
Latest News LRA Education Foundation Celebrates Six Outstanding Line Cook Apprentices The LRA Education Foundation recently honored six exceptional young men who have successfully completed their line cook apprenticeship, officially graduating from the program. The celebratory event was hosted by Conrad Churra, owner of Wakin’ Bakin’ in the French Quarter. Churra is the founder of…
Latest News Your Property Rights Under Constitutional Carry Law On Thursday, July 4, 2024, the law allowing constitutional carry of concealed firearms for Louisiana residents 18 and older will take effect. Those locations that previously prohibited concealed carry remain in effect that include public buildings, courthouses, libraries and other locations. Permitted concealed or constitutional carry…
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…
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…
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…