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.

Treasury Guidance on “No Tax on Tips”

By tnorris95 | September 23, 2025 | Comments Off on Treasury Guidance on “No Tax on Tips”

Latest News The U.S. Department of Treasury has released new guidance on how the recently enacted No Tax on Tips provision will apply to restaurant and hospitality workers. This provision allows eligible workers to deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips per year from 2025 through 2028, giving tipped employees meaningful tax relief on the…

Read More

New Orleans to Host 2026 Pastry World Cup Selections and Bocuse d’Or at LRA Showcase

By tnorris95 | September 22, 2025 | Comments Off on New Orleans to Host 2026 Pastry World Cup Selections and Bocuse d’Or at LRA Showcase

Latest News New Orleans & Company, Sirha Food, and the Louisiana Restaurant Association are bringing the Americas selections of the Pastry World Cup and Bocuse d’Or back to New Orleans in July 2026. For the first time, these prestigious international competitions will take place alongside the 2026 LRA Showcase at the New Orleans Ernest N.…

Read More

Zea Recognizes 300 Years of Staff Service During Sept. 5 Breakfast

By tnorris95 | September 10, 2025 | Comments Off on Zea Recognizes 300 Years of Staff Service During Sept. 5 Breakfast

Latest News On September 5, Zea Rotisserie & Bar celebrated a milestone moment-recognizing more than 300 combined years of service from 15 dedicated team members. The occasion was marked with a special breakfast honoring employees who have made Zea their career home for decades. This recognition is part of the Restaurant Legends Award, established in…

Read More

LRA Education Foundation Announces 2024 Scholars

By wwaren@lra.org | February 26, 2024 | Comments Off on LRA Education Foundation Announces 2024 Scholars

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…

LRA Education Foundation Presents the Louisiana Seafood ProStart Invitational March 6-7, 2024

By wwaren@lra.org | February 14, 2024 | Comments Off on LRA Education Foundation Presents the Louisiana Seafood ProStart Invitational March 6-7, 2024

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.…

NRA and its Restaurant Law Center Call on FTC to Exclude Restaurants from “Junk Fees” Rule

By wwaren@lra.org | February 12, 2024 | Comments Off on NRA and its Restaurant Law Center Call on FTC to Exclude Restaurants from “Junk Fees” Rule

Latest News In comments they call the proposal unwarranted and unlawful, and highlight significant unintended consequences for consumers In comments submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding its Unfair or Deceptive Fees Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the National Restaurant Association and the Restaurant Law Center (Law Center) called for the Commission to exclude the…

Alan Guilbeau: A Journey of Passion and Service

By wwaren@lra.org | February 7, 2024 | Comments Off on Alan Guilbeau: A Journey of Passion and Service

Latest News In every industry, there are unsung heroes whose dedication and commitment shape the landscape from behind the scenes. Alan Guilbeau, 2024’s newly appointed Chair of the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA), is one such individual whose remarkable journey in consumer products, food service, and distribution has left an indelible mark on Louisiana’s culinary community.…

Drago’s An American Journey: A Tale of Resilience, Family, and Charbroiled Oysters

By wwaren@lra.org | February 7, 2024 | Comments Off on Drago’s An American Journey: A Tale of Resilience, Family, and Charbroiled Oysters

Latest News Drago’s: An American Journey recounts the inspiring saga of the Cvitanovich family, pioneers of Drago’s Seafood Restaurant in Metairie, Louisiana. From humble beginnings to culinary legends, Drago and Klara Cvitanovich embody the immigrant experience and entrepreneurial spirit, fleeing post-World War II Europe with little but determination. Through unwavering dedication, they introduced their iconic dish,…

Revitalizing Membership: LRA’s Baton Rouge Conference Reignites Passion and Purpose!

By wwaren@lra.org | February 7, 2024 | Comments Off on Revitalizing Membership: LRA’s Baton Rouge Conference Reignites Passion and Purpose!

Latest News With a renewed spirit, the LRA held its annual chapter leadership conference in Baton Rouge on January 24. The topics covered everything LRA-related, from advocacy to the education foundation, as well as events and goals. LRA Chair Alan Guilbeau and Director Stephen Hightower (Chapter Leadership Chair) led a dialogue that sparked creativity in…

Wholesale Food Prices Down 5.6% From Year-Ago Levels

By wwaren@lra.org | February 7, 2024 | Comments Off on Wholesale Food Prices Down 5.6% From Year-Ago Levels

Latest News By Bruce Grindy, Chief Economist, National Restaurant Association In the 12 months ending November 2023, average wholesale food prices declined 5.6%. That marked the seventh consecutive 12-month decline – and the largest year-over-year drop in more than 7 years. The recent slowing of growth followed an 18-month period of double-digit gains – including…

Feeding the 5-0 Becomes More Efficient

By wwaren@lra.org | February 7, 2024 | Comments Off on Feeding the 5-0 Becomes More Efficient

Latest News Mardi Gras Ushers in Upgrades to Meal Service for 8th District The largest free show on earth, as we know, is not without its costs. With nearly 1 million visitors pouring in for the 2024 Mardi Gras Season, the public safety measures are vast, largely unknown or underestimated. The agencies that are on…

Restaurant Industry Sales Forecast to Set $1.1 Trillion Record in 2024

By wwaren@lra.org | February 6, 2024 | Comments Off on Restaurant Industry Sales Forecast to Set $1.1 Trillion Record in 2024

Latest News Restaurants sales are forecast to exceed $1.1 trillion in sales this year, marking a new milestone for the industry that will employ over 15.7 million people in the United States by the end of 2024. This is all according to the National Restaurant Association 2024 State of the Restaurant Industry Report. Key findings from…

Payment Card Settlement Claim Forms Now Available

By wwaren@lra.org | December 21, 2023 | Comments Off on Payment Card Settlement Claim Forms Now Available

Latest News The Payment Card Settlement is the biggest antitrust class-action settlement in history and sets aside at least $5.54 billion and a maximum of approximately $6.24 billion for millions of U.S. merchants who for years paid artificially inflated Visa and Mastercard interchange fees. Why it matters: If your restaurant accepted Visa and/or Mastercard at any time between January…

Scroll To Top