GRA Weekly
January 26, 2023
This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner Gas South.
CALLING ALL GEORGIA CHEFS!
2023 Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program
Calling Georgia chefs! The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown campaign has again partnered with the Georgia Restaurant Association for a statewide, Georgia Grown Executive Chef program. Georgia Grown’s missions is to create a statewide, Georgia Grown Executive Chef program to promote and foster relationships between chefs and farmers. The program will create a mark of honor and distinction for each chef involved, and garner a greater awareness both among restaurateurs and consumers about the availability of quality, local products on Georgia’s restaurant scene. Every year, the new class of Georgia Grown Executive Chefs are honored at the GRA's Taste of Georgia Legislative ReceptionLearn more and apply here.
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
GRA IN THE NEWS
An earlier presidential primary could be a boon for Georgia's economy
Georgia Public Broadcasting - ..... Georgia has been no stranger to hosting large events and touting the economic impact of more people and attention flocking to the state, ranging from the 1996 Olympic Games to myriad conventions and cultural events like Helen's Oktoberfest, St. Patrick's Day in Savannah or Dragon Con in Atlanta.

Part of the retail politics that dominate presidential campaign schedules — especially in the South — is food.

Karen Bremer, president and CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association, said a beneficiary of the state's political rise is the hospitality industry that caters to candidates and regular customers alike.

"I have seen many folks that that have benefited from the visit of a president or a candidate," she said, like the sweet potato cheesecake former President Bill Clinton enjoyed from Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Bread Company or the slew of presidents who have answered "What'll ya have?" from The Varsity. "To me, there's a connection for most people about restaurants, hard work, good food and supporting the hardworking salt of the earth people that own and operate restaurants and employees." Read full article.
GROW YOUR BRAND
Strategic Ways for Restaurateurs to Grow Their Brands
Modern Restaurant Management - Independent restaurants with fewer than three locations make up more than half of the restaurants in the U.S. Many restaurateurs dream of growing into multiple locations, but it takes a lot of capital investment to get there. At my restaurant development and investment firm Full Course, we work with emerging brands to develop leadership, optimize business practices and ultimately provide financial investment for expansion. The following top 10 tips are just some of the ways we help restaurateurs start their fundraising journey. Read more.
FEDERAL UPDATES
U.S. EEOC | Updated EEOC Resource Explains ADA Requirements for Individuals with Hearing Disabilities in the Workplace
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released an updated resource document, “Hearing Disabilities in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act,” explaining how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to job applicants and employees who are deaf or hard of hearing or have other hearing conditions. Learn more.

Restaurant Revitalization Tax Credit Act Reintroduced
The Restaurant Revitalization Tax Credit (RRTC) has been reintroduced by Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). This legislation creates a special tax credit available to businesses that applied for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) program, but were unable to receive a grant because the program ran out of funding.

To be eligible, restaurants must have experienced an average reduction in gross receipts in 2020 and 2021 of over 30% when compared to 2019 or a total reduction in gross receipts of over 50% in either 2020 or 2021 when compared to 2019.

The credit may be used to offset employment taxes up to $25,000 per quarter in 2023 and is refundable up to a total of $25,000 for all four quarters for employers that had an average of 10 or fewer employers in the fourth quarter of 2022. The cap on refundability is reduced by $2,500 for each additional employee over 10. Learn more.

The Restaurant Revitalization Tax Credit (RRTC) is open to RRF applicants that:
  • Were eligible for, but did not receive an RRF award due the program running out of funding
  • Experienced an average reduction in gross receipts in 2020 and 2021 of greater than 30% as compared to 2019 or a reduction in gross receipts of greater than 50% in either 2020 or 2021, as compared to 2019
  • Were in operation prior to March 14, 2020
  • Paid payroll taxes in at least two quarters during 2021
JAMES BEARD AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Here Are Atlanta’s 2023 James Beard Award Semifinalists
Below is the complete list of the Atlanta and Georgia semifinalists, as well as semifinalists from Alabama. Finalists in the 2023 restaurant and chef categories will be announced Wednesday, March 29, with winners announced during an awards ceremony taking place Monday, June 5, in Chicago.

Best Chef: Southeast
  • Ronald Hsu and Aaron Phillips, Lazy Betty (also own Humble Pie and Juniper Cafe)
  • Terry Koval, The Deer and the Dove
  • Jiyeon Lee and Cody Taylor, Heirloom Market BBQ
  • Sahar Siddiqi, Chai Pani in Decatur
  • Deborah VanTrece, Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours (also owns Orethea’s and Serenidad)

Outstanding Bakery
  • Buena Gente Cuban Bakery in Decatur
  • Unforgettable Bakery and Cafe in Savannah

Outstanding Hospitality
  • Ticonderoga Club

Outstanding Wine Program
  • Lyla Lila

Outstanding Restaurateur
  • Clinton Gray, Derrick Moore, and Emanuel Reed, Slim and Husky’s Pizza Beeria, Nashville (two Atlanta locations on Howell Mill Road and Metropolitan Parkway)

Outstanding Restaurant
  • The Grey in Savannah

SAVE ON ELECTRIC RATES!
Public Service Commission Renews Rate
Late December 2022, the Public Service Renewed the Time of Use – Food and Drink rate for another three years, giving the restaurant industry a win even before the new legislative session starts. The rate was initially approved in 2019 after the GRA brought forward a rate case to increase the number of restaurants included in this special rate, one that was previously only available to large chains. If you would like more information about the rate and how to enroll, please contact Scott Bierman.

The Time to Save on Electricity Costs is NOW!
The Georgia Restaurant Association fought hard for restaurants to have access to a rate that was previously only available to large, multi-unit chains. If you are a restaurant that uses Georgia Power, identifies as 722 in NAICS, and meet the actual peak demand requirement of not less than 30 kW, then you should reach out and ask about switching to the TOU-FD. We have heard testimonies from independent restaurants from across the state reporting an average savings of 10%-15% on their power bill.

You may contact Georgia Power’s Business Solutions Center directly at 1-888-655-5888. If you have any questions, you can contact us and we are happy to assist to the best of our ability or connect you with a trusted partner.

Background: Every 3 years, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) holds hearings regarding the electricity rates suggested by Georgia Power. In 2019, the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) filed a rate case with the PSC against Georgia Power. There are over 80 different electricity rates. Restaurants and other medium businesses pay more for a unit of electricity than residential consumers and large manufacturers. Prior to 2020, large chains and franchises paid less for a unit of electricity than an independent restaurateur. The GRA successfully petitioned opened 3,000 slots for any restaurant filed as 722 of the NAICS to have access to the lower rate. The new rate is called Time of Use Food and Drink (TOU-FD).
GREEN LINE RATES
NRAEF SCHOLARSHIPS
NRAEF Scholarship Applications
Individuals pursuing a post-secondary degree in the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry can now apply for more than $1 million in scholarships from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).

NRAEF scholarships help reduce the financial burden of post-secondary education and support the industry’s future leaders. Awards range from $2,500 to $10,000 and can be used toward tuition and fees, books, room and board, as well as other school-related expenses.

The scholarships have no age restrictions and anyone pursuing higher education in a restaurant, foodservice and/or hospitality related field is encouraged to apply through March 15, 2023, by visiting ChooseRestaurants.org/Scholarships.
UPCOMING SERVSAFE CLASSES
UPCOMING WEBINARS + EVENTS
GRA Exclusive Webinar: Tips on Tipping, Part I
Georgia Restaurant Association
Thursday, February 9 | 2:00PM

GRA Restaurant Industry Update, presented by Gas South
Georgia Restaurant Association
Wednesday, February 15 | 3:00PM

Taste of Georgia Legislative Reception
Georgia Restaurant Association
Wednesday, February 22 | 5:00PM - 7:00PM

GRA Exclusive Webinar: Tips on Tipping, Part II
Georgia Restaurant Association
Thursday, February 23 | 2:00PM

How to Make a Data-Driven Business Plan Using Census Bureau Data
U.S. Census Bureau
Thursday, February 23 | 2:00PM - 3:30PM

2023 Public Affairs Conference
National Restaurant Association
June 19 - 21, 2023 | JW Marriott, Washington, DC
HERE'S WHAT WE'RE READING