GRA Weekly

February 9, 2023

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner Society Insurance.

QUESTIONS WHEN SEEKING AN INSURANCE AGENT

Seven Essential Questions To Ask When Seeking An Insurance Agent

The restaurant industry has unique risks and challenges. When it comes to insurance, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. When looking to protect their businesses, restaurant owners should look for an agent with specialized knowledge of the food service industry and consider asking the following questions to ensure they are covered before the inevitable happens. Read more.

TASTE OF GEORGIA

14th Annual Taste Of Georgia Legislative Reception

This annual event is an opportunity for GRA members to showcase their food to elected officials and for our legislators to network with our state’s second largest employer. The honorees of the 2023 Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program will also be recognized.

Attendance is complimentary for lobbyists, dignitaries, legislators, and staff, however registration is required. Discounted registration is available for GRA Restaurant Members.

GRA Restaurant Members

Showcase your restaurant at the upcoming Taste of Georgia Legislative Reception!

The GRA is seeking restaurants interested in showcasing their fares at the annual Taste of Georgia Legislative reception (Wednesday, February 22, 2023). This is a fantastic opportunity to market your brand and meet and greet with Georgia’s elected officials, their staff, and lobbyists who frequently dine out during legislative session. For more information on how to register, contact Katie Ashley.

GRA EXCLUSIVE WEBINARS

STATE OF THE PLATE

What's happening at the state capitol so far? Hear from the President + CEO, Karen Bremer to learn more. Watch now.

MONTHLY CLOSE PROCESS

Has Your Restaurant Optimized Your Monthly Close Process?The purpose of accounting is to provide timely and accurate financial information about a restaurant’s business. This financial information will allow leaders to assess the position and performance of their restaurant to continue as is or adjust course. To provide financial information to leaders on a timely and accurate basis, the accounting team should have an efficient, standardized monthly close process. Read more.

FEDERAL UPDATES

IRS introduces new service industry tip reporting program

WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service today issued Notice 2023-13, which contains a proposed revenue procedure that would establish the Service Industry Tip Compliance Agreement (SITCA) program, a voluntary tip reporting program between the IRS and employers in various service industries. The IRS is issuing this guidance in proposed form to provide an opportunity for public comment.

The proposed SITCA program is designed to take advantage of advancements in point-of-sale, time and attendance systems, and electronic payment settlement methods to improve tip reporting compliance. The proposed program would also decrease taxpayer and IRS administrative burdens and provide more transparency and certainty to taxpayers. The proposed program includes several features... Learn more.

USCIS Redesigns Green Card and Employment Authorization Document

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today new designs to improve security of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). USCIS will begin issuing the redesigned cards on Jan. 30, 2023.

The new Green Card and EAD designs contain state-of-the-art technology that continue to safeguard national security and improve service for our customers. Changes include improved detailed artwork; tactile printing that is better integrated with the artwork; enhanced optically variable ink; highly secure holographic images on the front and back of the cards; a layer-reveal feature with a partial window on the back photo box; and data fields displayed in different places than on previous versions. Learn more.

STEVE SIMON REFLECTS ON 30 YEARS

Atlanta-Based Fifth Group Restaurants partner Steve Simon reflects on 30 years of South City Kitchen

Come April, Fifth Group Restaurants will celebrate 30 years in the industry. It started with South City Kitchen, which opened in the city’s Midtown neighborhood in 1993. Now there are four locations of that concept, as well as La Tavola, Lure, three-unit Ecco (including one at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport), two-unit Alma, a freestanding El Taco and two others at the airport. A lot has changed in three decades, but South City Kitchen’s fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and fried green tomatoes remain almost identical to how they were back in 1993. Restaurant Hospitality spoke with Fifth Group Restaurants partner Steve Simon about the milestone, and how the group has managed such a long and successful run in Atlanta. Continue reading.

EXPANDING DINING OUTSIDE

Expanding Dining Outside: Five Tips To Think About This Spring

If you look online for a way to expand your restaurant seating outdoors, you may find references to regulations that seemingly discourage DIY parklet or curbside deck aspirations. City standards for street decking have progressed since the particle board parklet heyday of 2020, when just about any slapped-together structure could occupy space along the sidewalk. Fortunately, the constant push and pull between the growing demand for permanent parklets and city operational considerations has brought about some incredibly innovative products and solutions that might surprise you. Read more.