Happy New Year

From LRA President/CEO Stan Harris

Today marks the beginning of my third year as the President/CEO of the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA). It’s remarkable how quickly the time goes and how much is and needs to be accomplished each and every day on behalf of our economically important industry. We’ve made some necessary steps to streamline the operations of both the LRA and the Self Insurer’s Fund for Workers’ Compensation (LRA SIF) in an effort to remain competitive and a viable resource for the restaurant industry.

Let the LRA SIF quote your workers' comp
coverage today! With competitive rates, free safety services
and local claims handling, give us the
chance to earn your business.

As 2013 progresses, restaurant owners are no doubt sighing in relief that the fiscal cliff has, thankfully, been avoided. When I was running restaurants, this time of year was spent making sure I had my insurance coverage in order given many policies renew at the first of the year. For the LRA SIF, this is the busiest time of the year given the number of annual policies that renew Jan. 1. If you are in need of a quote for your workers’ comp coverage, please give us a call today.

Visit the National Restaurant Association's Healthcare
Knowledge Center at healthcare.restaurant.org for what you
need to know as an operator.

There are so many things on the horizon for the restaurant industry this year. Advocacy on your behalf at the federal and state level is more important than ever with the myriad of issues still needing resolution or negotiation. Businesses will be forced to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which still leaves many questions unanswered. The LRA is already working on issues that will impact our industry as the Louisiana Legislative Fiscal Session (April 8-June 6) will almost exclusively focus on attempting to solve the state’s financial deficit. Restoring tourism funding will again be a major issue for our industry.

The LRA represents Louisiana's restaurant industry on the
Super Bowl XLVII Hospitality Subcommittee!

But on the bright side, the Louisiana restaurant industry is projected to reach $6.8 billion in annual sales this year, up slightly from 2012. With Super Bowl XLVII and its accompanying hoopla estimated to deliver a $431 million economic impact, sandwiched in between two weeks of Mardi Gras, that will be a nice boost for the Greater New Orleans hospitality industry. These events will place New Orleans on the international stage and further our efforts to attract more visitors to Louisiana.

Here’s to a prosperous, healthy and balanced year to all of us!