Volume 20 | May 18, 2022
NCRLA PAC WINS BIG ON ELECTION NIGHT

North Carolina had a robust primary election with national importance last night. Ballots included an open US Senate seat, 14 US House districts, state House and Senate seats, some Supreme Court and Court of Appeals seats, and many local elections.

92.6% of NCRLA PAC-supported candidates won their primary elections last night! NCRLA invested in a large group of bipartisan candidates who support and champion the hospitality industry. Twenty-four of the 27 NCRLA PAC-supported candidates won their elections.

Key Races for the Hospitality Industry

The US Senate primaries were quickly decided with overwhelming wins by Congressman Ted Budd (R) and former Chief Justice Cheri Beasley (D). They will begin a heated race for the general election, which is slated to be one of the most contested seats in the country and could determine which party controls the US Senate.

North Carolina State Senator Chuck Edwards narrowly defeated Congressman Madison Cawthorn in an unexpected election upset in the 11th Congressional district. Senator Edwards is a McDonald’s franchisee, NCRLA’s 2021 Legislator of the Year, and one of the biggest champions of our industry in the state Senate. Given the makeup of the district, this election is won in the primary and Senator Edwards is expected to win in the fall. NCRLA is proud to have raised funds to support Senator Edwards in the Congressional primary by hosting a fundraiser at The Angus Barn with hospitality industry leaders and supporters.

At the state level, we saw a couple of surprises that impact the industry. Representative Jamie Boles (R-Moore) former longtime ABC Committee chairman lost his primary election to Ben Moss. Ardent opposer to any alcohol legislation, Representative Pat Hurley (R-Randolph) lost her primary election to Brian Biggs, a local real estate agent. These losses mean a big shake-up in key players of the House ABC Committee. NCRLA is assessing new opportunities for ABC reform.

Pratik Bhakta, a hotelier in Asheville and former NCRLA board member, won his Republican primary by seven votes. He will enter a heated general election.

Due to redistricting, there were several double-bunked legislators including two hospitality champions Senators Deanna Ballard (R-Watauga) and Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell). Senator Hise narrowly defeated Senator Ballard.

NCRLA PAC is made up of investments from industry members across the state, allowing our industry to have a seat at the table in politics. Please consider investing a personal contribution to help us support more candidates in the general election in November. NCRLA had a record-breaking legislative session in 2021 and we must now support our legislative champions!
Contributions cannot exceed $5,600 per election cycle. Under North Carolina law, we are required to report the name, mailing address, employer and job title of anyone who contributes more than $50 to the NCRLA Political Action Committee (NCRLA PAC) in any election cycle. The law requires that contributions to the NCRLA PAC be made by individuals, not by corporations.
LEGISLATURE AND VIEW FROM JONES STREET RETURN

Today, the legislature officially begins its short session. Legislative leadership has publicly stated its intent for it to be a true short session with a June 30 goal for completing their work.

Keep an eye out on Friday for the return of your favorite political newsletter, View from Jones Street. NCRLA publishes View from Jones street every week that the legislature is in session to give NCRLA members the latest information on the General Assembly impacting their business!
RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND UPDATE

The US Senate could vote tomorrow on whether or not to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). The National Restaurant Association (NRA) was advised by Senate leadership that the Cardin-Wicker bill to replenish RRF is now likely up for consideration this Thursday, May 19. If you haven’t engaged your Senators, we urge you to join us and do so now. 

The bill must receive 60 votes to begin debate. If the bill does not achieve this threshold, it would be effectively filibustered, and the leadership would move to something else.

At present, it is a long shot to get 10 or more Republicans to support allowing debate on Restaurant Revitalization Fund replenishment—the bill proposes spending of $48 billion with only $5 billion in offsets.

Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis have indicated their support for assistance, but only with offsets. We need them to hear from you to help push their vote!

NCRLA continues to advocate to our Congressional delegation on the dire need for RRF funding in North Carolina. Lynn Minges, NCRLA President & CEO, sent letters to Senator Tillis and Burr asking for their vote this week. Read the letters below.

North Carolina has over $927 million in RRF requests that were not funded. In May 2021, hundreds of thousands of vulnerable restaurants applied for economic relief through the US Small Business Administration. Of the 6,628 North Carolina applications received, only 2,579 received funds from the program. By leaving over 60% of the applicants without aid, the Federal government essentially picked winners and losers, among direct competitors, based on chance, not need.

We have attached a fact sheet on RRF replenishment here and a grassroots activation link here.

We'll keep you updated as we learn more.
MAKE PLANS TO VISIT WITH LEGISLATORS—RSVP FOR RALLY IN RALEIGH ON JUNE 14

Meet with North Carolina legislators and policy makers at our Rally in Raleigh Legislative Reception at the Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh. The gathering will be held on June 14 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. It's crucial for important decision makers to hear from business owners and operators and the challenges you currently face and how they can help support the industry. The event is free and open to members only. Registration is required. Light hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine will be provided.
STILL TIME TO APPLY FOR HOSPITALITY BUSINESS GRANTS—DEADLINE JUNE 1

The last day to apply for Phase 2 of the Business Recovery Grant (BRG) program is Wednesday, June 1.

NCRLA is proud to have fought for this historic grant program, which we called for in our Blueprint for Revival of the NC Hospitality Industry. This program is injecting cash into NC businesses that have experienced the most significant financial impact during the pandemic. Businesses are encouraged to visit the NCDOR website to learn more about eligibility criteria.

As a reminder, NCDOR will issue a 1099G to the businesses for the 2022 tax year if grant payment is awarded. The grant is not includable in North Carolina taxable income and is not subject to North Carolina income tax. However, it may be subject to federal income tax.
INDUSTRY LEADERS TO ADDRESS LATEST WORKFORCE CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS AT THE NC HOTEL CONFERENCE IN JUNE

The North Carolina Hotel Conference is your opportunity to connect with the larger hotel community and to hear industry leaders address the latest industry challenges and solutions. This year’s event will be taking place at the Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte on June 23 from 1 to 5 p.m.

You’ll hear from longtime industry leaders and experts including Chip Rogers, President & CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) and NCRLA’s President & CEO, Lynn Minges.

Attendees will also gain valuable insights on policy and market trends, including:

  • Key policy issues impacting NC hotels
  • The latest workforce challenges and solutions
  • NC hotel market data
  • Best practices for revenue generation
  • Key national & local industry initiatives

A special networking reception with complimentary drinks and appetizers will follow. Secure your spot, mark your calendar and invite all your hotel colleagues to this special afternoon event. The event is free and open to all North Carolina hoteliers.
CHEFS COMPETING IN PRELIMINARY ROUNDS FOR CHEF SHOWDOWN—GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR THE FINALE

The third preliminary round of the 2022 NCRLA Chef Showdown presented by Got to be NC took place at Central Piedmont Community College Culinary School in Charlotte on Monday, May 16. There are two more rounds of preliminary competitions before final photos of dishes will be released and regional competitors announced. Competing chefs in the Charlotte round were:
 
 
Special thanks to our hospitality sponsor The Dunhill Hotel for hosting the judges and staff overnight, and to our judges: Lucia Bobby, Chef/Owner of Bobby Boy Bake Shop, Winston-Salem; Keith Rhodes, Chef/ Owner of Catch, Wilmington; and Steven Goff, 2019 NCRLA Chef of the Year and Chef/ Owner of Tastee Diner and Dive Bar.
 
Who will earn the title of NCRLA Chef of the Year or NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year? Check out all of the talented competitors here, and save the date for the finale on August 8 at the Pavilion at Angus Barn—buy tickets here!
PROTECT YOUR HOTEL WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION TRAINING
Human trafficking is incredibly widespread and our hotels have an important role to play in keeping our community and our hotels safe from this harm. NCRLA partners with Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) to provide FREE human trafficking training for NCRLA members and their staff.

As the crime of human trafficking continues to grow, we are seeing an alarming increase in the number of hotels targeted by criminal and civil lawsuits brought by survivors of trafficking, some looking for damages of up to $1,000,000.

We recommend you take steps to help vulnerable children and adults while protecting your hotel’s reputation. This training will equip your staff to recognize, report, and prevent potential human trafficking activity. TAKE THE TRAINING
NCRLA'S BRIEF BITES
FOOD HANDLING FACTORS INFLUENCE YOUR SCORE

Proper food handling and kitchen sanitation play a large part in food safety, public health and the inspection score you receive. Understanding how different risk factors can impact your kitchen operation, protect the public and influence your inspection score is critical. Carolyn Griffin, NCRLA's Food Safety & Lodging Regulations Specialist, outlines five common risk factors that attribute to more than 50% of your inspection score.

  1. Food must come from approved sources
  2. Food handling employees need to wash their hands often, follow the Employee Health Policy and remember to never touch food with bare hands
  3. Food needs to be properly cooked to the correct temperature and temperature should always be measured with a properly cleaned, sanitized and calibrated food thermometer
  4. Hot foods need to be held at 135 degrees or higher and cold foods at 41 degrees or lower. Cool and reheat food properly.
  5. Avoid cross contamination by keeping food preparation areas and utensils clean and sanitized between cooked and uncooked food

If you have questions or concerns, contact us any time at info@ncrla.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 20–22: Got to Be NC Festival
NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh

McCormick Place, Chicago

The Merrimon-Wynne House

Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte

The Pavilion at the Angus Barn, Raleigh

Prestonwood Country Club Golf Course, Cary
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Allied

Restaurant
Ernie's Famous Subs Greenville

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Connect with North Carolina's Hospitality Industry!

NCRLA offers invaluable print and digital opportunities to share YOUR company's products and services with North Carolina’s restaurant and lodging professionals.

Check out our new advertising options in the 2022 NCRLA Media Guide: Advertising and Sponsorships

Let Us Help
Contact Inez Nicholson at inicholson@ncrla.org or 919-424-0676 to find out how NCRLA can meet your advertising and marketing needs!

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
Have you claimed your federal COVID cash?

You likely qualify for up to $26,000 per employee in Employee Retention Credit (ERC) cash. Get expert, fast-track filing for your ERC money—and a quick advance on your anticipated ERC payout—from our ERC partner Adesso Capital. Don’t leave your ERC cash unclaimed.
ALSO IN THE NEWS
The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association serves to advance and protect
the interests of more than 20,000 businesses that employ 11 percent of the state’s workforce
and generate more than $27.3 billion in sales annually.
NCRLA.org | 919-844-0098