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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.

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…

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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…

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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,…

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What Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs Mean for Food Costs

By tnorris95 | April 4, 2025 | Comments Off on What Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs Mean for Food Costs
Shipping containers obscured by yellow tape with the word "TARIFFS."

Latest News President Trump has issued an executive order under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose a baseline 10% tariff on all foreign-origin goods, excluding Canada and Mexico. Additional, higher reciprocal tariffs will target countries with significant trade imbalances with the U.S., including China, Japan, the European Union, and Vietnam. These tariffs…

Think Non-Profits Don’t Pay Sales Tax? Think Again!

By tnorris95 | April 3, 2025 | Comments Off on Think Non-Profits Don’t Pay Sales Tax? Think Again!
A round dining table with elegant place settings in a restaurant, overlaid with the text

Latest News At the Louisiana Restaurant Association, we frequently receive questions from our members regarding sales tax exemptions for non-profit organizations. Many assume that being a “tax-exempt” organization automatically means exemption from all taxes, but that is not the case. This clarification comes from the Louisiana Department of Revenue Attorney, Tax Policy and Planning, and…

Practical Workforce Technology Strategies for Independent Restaurants

By tnorris95 | March 25, 2025 | Comments Off on Practical Workforce Technology Strategies for Independent Restaurants
Three people at a cafe counter with a digital tablet on a stand

Latest News The latest workforce technology report from the National Restaurant Association highlights trends shaping the industry. While many insights come from large national chains, independent restaurants, multi-unit operators, and franchisees often have different needs and financial constraints. Here’s how LRA members can leverage workforce technology in a practical and cost-effective way. 1. Streamlining Employee…

Key Issues for Louisiana’s Restaurant Industry

By tnorris95 | March 18, 2025 | Comments Off on Key Issues for Louisiana’s Restaurant Industry
A tall, ornate building surrounded by green lawns and a river in the background

Latest News By Stan Harris, President & CEO, Louisiana Restaurant Association Mar 18, 2025 At the Louisiana Restaurant Association, we are the trusted advisor for Louisiana’s restaurant industry. Advocacy is at the heart of our mission, ensuring that our members have a voice in decisions that impact their businesses. As engaged citizens and business owners,…

Tariff Hikes Threaten Restaurant Costs 

By tnorris95 | March 11, 2025 | Comments Off on Tariff Hikes Threaten Restaurant Costs 
A busy port with cranes and a cargo ship loaded with shipping containers.

Latest News As the restaurant industry navigates an evolving economic landscape, new trade developments are already making waves. In January, U.S. imports soared to a record high of $329.55 billion, up from $293.36 billion in December, as businesses rushed to bring in goods ahead of the anticipated tariffs. The U.S. trade deficit also spiked to…

Restaurants & the MAHA Movement

By tnorris95 | March 11, 2025 | Comments Off on Restaurants & the MAHA Movement
Chefs in a professional kitchen reviewing a clipboard surrounded by cooking equipment and fresh vegetables.

Latest News The Trump Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is exploring food policy changes that could impact restaurants nationwide. With a focus on improving public health, MAHA aims to increase transparency in the food supply, promote “better for you” ingredients, and scrutinize…

LRAEF Awards $60,000 to Scholars

By tnorris95 | March 11, 2025 | Comments Off on LRAEF Awards $60,000 to Scholars

Latest News The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) is investing in the future of the hospitality industry by awarding $60,000 in scholarships to its 2025 LRAEF Scholars Class. These scholarships provide vital support to Louisiana students pursuing careers in the restaurant, foodservice, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Honorees will be recognized at Serving the Future:…

New Leader for LRA Workers’ Comp

By tnorris95 | February 19, 2025 | Comments Off on New Leader for LRA Workers’ Comp
Dustin Hebert. White male wearing a dark suit with blue tie and white shirt

Latest News The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Fund (LRA WC) has appointed Dustin Hebert as its new General Manager. With over 20 years of experience and a family legacy in insurance, Hebert is well-prepared to lead the program’s continued growth and support Louisiana’s hospitality industry. Serving Louisiana’s Hospitality Industry Since 1982 Founded…

Restaurant Tech Today: Driving Efficiency and Profitability

By tnorris95 | February 17, 2025 | Comments Off on Restaurant Tech Today: Driving Efficiency and Profitability
Person in an orange cap using a touchscreen kiosk in a dimly lit, modern setting.

Latest News How Digital Innovation is Reshaping Front and Back-of-House Operations Technology is transforming the restaurant industry, helping operators tackle rising labor costs and ongoing workforce shortages. These insights were presented in the State of the Restaurant Industry 2025 webinar by Hudson Riehle, SVP of Research and Knowledge, and Chad Moutray, VP of Research and…

How Gen Z & Millennials Are Redefining Dining

By tnorris95 | February 14, 2025 | Comments Off on How Gen Z & Millennials Are Redefining Dining
A drive-thru transaction with a person in a car receiving a plastic bag from a window in a red building.

Latest News From Snacking to Sustainability, What Drives Younger Diners?  Consumer habits are evolving rapidly, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the transformation of the restaurant industry. These insights were highlighted in the State of the Restaurant Industry 2025 webinar, presented by the National Restaurant Association.  With these two generations now outnumbering Gen X and…

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