GRA Weekly
April 11, 2021
This week's newsletter is brought to you by the UGA Small Business Development Center
NEW RRF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Quick Background
On March 11, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 created the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund to provide grants for restaurants sustaining financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is administering the program, and will be issuing the necessary federal rules, regulations, and applications before grant funds are distributed.

On April 9, 2021, our partners at the National Restaurant Association issued new guidance in the form of the detailed FAQs linked below. Make sure you download this today and start preparing so you’re ready to apply as soon as the RRF opens up.

Grant Process Information and Links

This comprehensive document will answer your most common questions about eligibility, how to apply, documentation needed, and how much you might receive.

Request for Transcript of Tax Return, or Form 4506-T, is required to apply for an RRF grant application.

An eligible business may receive a tax-free federal grant equal to the amount of its pandemic-related revenue loss, calculated by subtracting its 2020 gross receipts from its 2019 gross receipts.

Frequently updated with resources you need to know about the RRF grant process.
THIRD EXECUTIVE ORDER IN EFFECT
On Thursday, April 8, Governor Brian P. Kemp's third Executive Order went into effect. More details on all three Executive Orders, Restaurant & Dining Sections are below:

  • Effective from April 8, 2021 at 12:00AM until April 30, 2021 at 11:59PM
  • Removes the gatherings ban
  • Reduces any remaining distance requirements (i.e. distance between parties at restaurants, bars)
  • Eliminates the ability of law enforcement to close an organization for failure to comply with the Executive Order provisions
  • NEW Entrance sign language (as of April 8, 2021)
TAX RELIEF FOR BUSINESS MEAL DEDUCTIONS
Treasury, IRS Provide Guidance On Tax Relief For Deductions For Food Or Beverages From Restaurants - Businesses Can Temporarily Deduct 100% Beginning Jan. 1, 2021
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today issued Notice 2021-25 providing guidance under the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act of 2020. The Act added a temporary exception to the 50% limit on the amount that businesses may deduct for food or beverages. The temporary exception allows a 100% deduction for food or beverages from restaurants.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2022, businesses can claim 100% of their food or beverage expenses paid to restaurants as long as the business owner (or an employee of the business) is present when food or beverages are provided and the expense is not lavish or extravagant under the circumstances.

Where Can Businesses Get Food And Beverages And Claim 100%?
Under the temporary provision, restaurants include businesses that prepare and sell food or beverages to retail customers for immediate on-premises and/or off-premises consumption. However, restaurants do not include businesses that primarily sell pre-packaged goods not for immediate consumption, such as grocery stores and convenience stores.

Additionally, an employer may not treat certain employer-operated eating facilities as restaurants, even if these facilities are operated by a third party under contract with the employer.
SIPPIN' LOCAL | VOTE TODAY!
Get into the spirit and head to the polls to vote on your favorite local wineries, distilleries and breweries across the state!

The top ten vote getters in each category will be listed in the May/June issue of JAMES Magazine, and the winners of each category will be featured in a spotlight story! If you don't see your favorite spot listed, please add them using the "Other" space and we will put them on the list. The poll will close on April 12th, so make sure to come back every day to vote for your favorites!

NEW CAMPAIGN FOR EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT
Restaurants Advance Campaign Supports Employee Development
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation today launched “Restaurants Advance,” a national fundraising campaign to help current and future restaurant workers access the education and training they need to put their job or career back on track. Constellation Brands, a leading beverage alcohol company, has committed $1.75M to support the Foundation and Restaurants Advance as the industry continues to rebuild and reopen after COVID-19.

The campaign comprises:
  • Restaurants Advance Futures – programs to attract, empower and advance diverse talent pursuing a future in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry.
  • Restaurants Advance Communities – helping employers and communities create opportunities through first job skills training, apprenticeships, and professional development.
  • Restaurants Advance Entrepreneurship – putting people from all backgrounds on a pathway to restaurant ownership and/or an executive level leadership position

FOODSERVICE INNOVATION AWARDS
National Restaurant Association and SmartBrief Announce Recipients of Inaugural Foodservice Innovation Awards
The honorees represent innovative new or updated products and services that exemplify adaptability and resilience in three categories: sustainability, technology, and safety and health.

The GRA congratulates Coca-Cola and the Coca-Cola Freestyle Equipment Innovation Center, for their innovative technology solution: Coca-Cola Freestyle Contactless Pour

IMPORTANT LIFE LESSON
‘Blessed to still be here’: Restaurant manager recovering after road-rage shooting on I-20
AJC - The manager of a popular Atlanta barbecue restaurant could be out of commission for up to a month after being shot during a road-rage encounter on I-20 over the weekend. Jason Phillips considers himself lucky to be alive after his car was peppered with bullets in the eastbound lanes near the Downtown Connector. The assistant general manager for Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q said he was on his way to work about 3 p.m. Saturday when a man driving a white Nissan Maxima cut him off. “Like anybody would, I flipped him off,” Phillips said. “He got up beside me again and his window was down. I looked over and I noticed he was pointing a gun at me.” Read More.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jason and his family! If you are interested in supporting Jason's recovery, you can donate to Jason's GoFundMe account.
2021 PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE
Have you registered yet for the 2021 Virtual National Restaurant Association Public Affairs Conference?
For 35 years, this event has brought together the leaders of our industry for a dialogue with national policymakers and thought-leaders on our public policy priorities. And while we can’t meet in person this year, there has never been a more critical time for our industry to come together with one voice to advocate for our industry. GRA members can receive a discount by using this discount code: PAFCMEMBER

MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY
NRAEF and Optum Develop Brief Mental Health Survey for our Industry’s Workers
Optum Health and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation are committed to supporting the hospitality industry, its workforce and improving the quality of life for those we serve. Help us understand the what support employers are looking for to support the mental health needs of workers in our industry by filling out a brief questionnaire. The questionnaire should take around 10 minutes. All questions are optional. All responses are completely anonymous and your participation will have no impact or affiliation with any other ways you support the EF or work with Optum Health. Our goal is to provide the best possible support to restaurant employees and employers. Your insights will inform strategies, tools, and resources developed to address our industry’s existing and emerging mental health needs.

RESTAURANT RESET WEBINAR SERIES
The Restaurant Reset Series, presented by the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, is designed to train restaurant owners and operators in the areas they need for their business to be successful.

Over seven sessions, topics include: financing, marketing, customer retention, alternative lending, finding and retaining employees and expanding food services. Taught by a team of restaurant experts – you will leave with a better understanding of steps needed to ensure your venture is a success.

US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Worker.gov: Spanish version now available!
Worker.gov is a website created by the U.S. Department of Labor to provide information about worker's rights and common workplace concerns.You can now visit Worker.gov in English or in Spanish. By sharing this website with your stakeholder networks, you will help to make Spanish-speaking workers and job seekers more aware of laws governing their wages, safety, equality, right to join with coworkers, and fair treatment as veterans or service members and retirees.
UPCOMING SERVSAFE CLASSES
UPCOMING WEBINARS + EVENTS
Restaurant Reset Part 3: Owners Roundtable
UGA Small Business Development Center
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 | 10:00AM - 11:00AM

2021 Public Affairs Conference (Virtual)
National Restaurant Association
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Register. *Use member code PAFCMEMBER for a discounted rate

Recipe for Compliance: A Webinar for Restaurant Industry Employers
U.S. Department of Labor Hour & Wage Division
Thursday, April 22, 2021 | 9:30AM - 11:30AM

The Future of Tipping Under the Biden Administration
The Restaurant Law Center
Thursday, April 22, 2021 | 3:00PM - 4:00PM

Restaurant Industry Update with GRA President + CEO, Karen Bremer, presented by Society Insurance
Georgia Restaurant Association
Friday, April 23, 2021 | 9:30AM - 10:00AM

Restaurant Reset Part 4: Finding Capital
UGA Small Business Development Center
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 | 10:00AM - 11:00AM
HERE'S WHAT WE'RE READING
HELPFUL RESOURCES LINKS