As the New Year gets
underway, we have much to be grateful for in Louisiana. Our industry employs
nearly 200,000 people and that number is projected to grow by nearly 25,000 by
2022. With the increase of visitors to our state and the support of our residents,
the Louisiana restaurant industry is projected to achieve 2014 sales in excess
of $7 billion for the first time. This is astonishing given that in 2004, our
industry’s annual economic impact was just $4.2 billion. That’s a 40 percent
increase in just nine years.
The National
Restaurant Association recently released its 2014 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast with
locally sourced meats and seafood topping the list. The Louisiana Restaurant Association's work
with fisheries issues and the Share the Gulf
Coalition align closely with these initiatives. Other trends
include locally grown produce, environmental sustainability, healthful kids’
meals and gluten-free cuisine.
To assist you in
these areas, the NRA has three programs that you might consider—ServSafe Allergens, Kids LiveWell and Conserve.
ServSafe Allergens is a 90-minute online training course to provide your
management or chefs in how to serve the 15 million guests with food allergies
safely. Kids LiveWell is a program focused on offering healthy options for kids
when dining in your restaurant. It meets specific caloric, portion and fat
contents. If you agree to participate in Kids LiveWell, your restaurant can be
listed on the Kids LiveWell website that provides a resource to consumers
seeking healthier options. Conserve is a free online resource to initiate and
inspire actions that improve a company’s bottom line, but also are good for
people and the planet. Be sure to visit the NRA’s Manage My Restaurant portal
for more insightful tips to effective and efficient restaurant operations.
In addition, the LRA
offers ServSafe Manager (the
DHH mandated eight-hour training course in food safety and sanitation)
and ServSafe Alcohol
Online (the ATC mandatory two hour training course is available
online for the first time in Louisiana). Visit the LRA website here to learn
more about ServSafe.
The LRA Self
Insurer’s Fund for Workers’ Compensation is pleased to return
more than $2 million in surplus dividends in April 2014. They will be
distributed to eligible members during the April LRA Chapter events. If you aren’t
participating in the LRA SIF for your workers’ compensation needs, please allow
us to quote your business. We can quote your workers’ comp directly through one
of our LRA regional sales representatives or through your agent.
Finally, we know that
as you operate your restaurant that employee issues create unique challenges.
The LRA retains the firm of Fisher &
Phillips to provide guidance and assist with any questions,
concerns or problems you may be facing. Please call the LRA office and we will
connect you with an attorney who can guide you through any employee questions.
Utilizing this resource in advance usually produces good dividends in the form
of a happy, engaged workforce.
We are here to help
you become more successful and profitable in 2014 and beyond.
Happy New Year,
Stan Harris
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