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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 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…
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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…
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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 MoreLatest 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
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…
Latest News On March 26, a proposed settlement agreement was announced requiring Visa and Mastercard to reduce swipe fees charged to restaurants and other merchants to process credit card transactions starting in April 2025. While this news is welcome, it merely provides temporary relief while allowing credit card companies to raise rates in the future.…
Latest News Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 What just happened: The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act has momentum coming into the Senate, following sweeping bipartisan votes in both the House tax committee (40 – 3) and on the floor (357 – 70). The Senate has an opportunity to…
Latest News In the realm of fine dining, a shadowy online marketplace has emerged, promising prime reservations at top-tier restaurants for exorbitant prices. Dubbed Appointment Trader, this platform has sparked outrage among restaurateurs and industry insiders alike, as it capitalizes on the scarcity of coveted dining experiences while leaving eateries in the lurch. Led by…
Latest News The LRA Education Foundation presented the Louisiana Seafood ProStart Invitational on March 6-7 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. ProStart is a two-year culinary arts and restaurant management curriculum in nearly 60 Louisiana high schools, with 2,000 juniors and seniors participating. Sixty-three percent of Louisiana’s ProStart program attended the Invitational. The Invitational…
Latest News The National Restaurant Association is assessing the implications of President Biden’s State of the Union address for the restaurant industry, paying close attention to key points that demand our attention. First, President Biden underscored his commitment to eliminating so-called “junk fees” throughout the U.S. economy. Why it matters: His administration is proposing a rule targeting “junk…
Latest News By Stan Harris CEO & president of the Louisiana Restaurant Association This piece was a guest column in the Beltway Beat by LaPolitics, part of the State Affairs network, February 28, 2024. Louisianians love celebrations, and each of these occasions-be it a birthday, anniversary, or the opening of football season-involves our world-famous cuisine. The heritage…
Latest News The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) Board of Directors, through its Scholarship Fund, will award $60,000 in scholarships to 17 students. The LRAEF Scholars will be honored on March 6 during the annual “Serving the Future-Celebrating Careers in Hospitality” presented by Ecolab event in New Orleans. The LRAEF Scholarship Fund was created…
Latest News Chef Patron E.J. Lagasse Keynote Speaker at ProStart Awards The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation proudly presents the Louisiana Seafood ProStart Invitational March 6-7, 2024, at the Morial Convention Center, Hall J. ProStart is a two-year culinary arts and restaurant management curriculum offered to juniors and seniors in nearly 60 high schools in Louisiana.…