At Your Service, Winter 2024

AT YOUR

Official Magazine of North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association

SERVICE PLUS Free Hospitality Training

Legislative Wrap-Up and Forecast Hottest Food and Drink Trends of 2024

Hospitality News from Your Community Winter 2024, Vol. 13, Issue 1 NCRLA.org

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Contents

NCRLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: BURNEY JENNINGS, CHAIR Biscuitville Fresh Southern

15

9

TOM PASHLEY, VICE CHAIR Pinehurst Resort JASON SMITH, TREASURER 18 Restaurant Group SHERI ERHART, SECRETARY CMC Hotels

21

Features 15

Manteo to Murphy Highlights

NCRLA 2023 Legislative Recap

Behind the scenes at NCRLA’s annual PAC fundraiser

Cover Story: Key Federal Serving Careers Issues for 2024 Reaches Millions The hospitality issues

Exclusive annual legislative report for members

Inside NCRLA’s ground-breaking worker recruitment campaign

to watch this year

19

BOARD MEMBERS: PATRICK AIELLO Ecolab ANDY CLARK US Foods PHIL FRIEDMAN Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina TIM GOSS Firehouse Subs JIM GRATTON Charlotte Marriott SouthPark

21

23

25

26

Top Culinary Trends of 2024

Community Matters in Charlotte

Reassess Your Tech Stack

Free Hospitality Training for Members

NCRLA partners with Community Matters Café

AMBER MOSHAKOS, IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR LM Restaurants FRANK GRAY, GENERAL COUNSEL

11

Seven signs that you should update your operations

LANCE TRENARY, NRA LIAISON Golden Corral Corporation

LYNN MINGES, NCRLA PRESIDENT & CEO

9

Tap into this year’s hottest dishes and drinks

JIM BELEY, TRAVEL & TOURISM BOARD LIAISON The Umstead Hotel & Spa

Unlock your team’s potential

KELLY HARRILL Koury Hospitality Group DORIS HUEBNER F & D Huebner, LLC RUSS JONES Davidson & Jones CHEETIE KUMAR Ajja SCOTT MAITLAND Top of the Hill Restaurant, Brewery & Distillery NISHITH “NISH” PATEL Beacon IMG, Inc. PINKESH PATEL AAHOA Liaison

In Every Issue 5

Welcome New Members Welcome to our latest members from across North Carolina

6

Letter from NCRLA Chair and NCRLA President & CEO What a Year!

7

Upcoming NCRLA Events Mark your calendar and plan to join us 4

At Your Service | Winter 2024

27

NCRLA Providers and Partners Give your business a competitive advantage

29

Member Moments Recognizing leaders from across North Carolina’s hospitality industry

30

À la Carte A sampler of hospitality-related news stories

SHAUNAK PATEL Parks Hospitality Group VINAY PATEL SREE Hotels, LLC GONZA SALAMANCA Gonza Tacos Y Tequila IAN SAUER Summit Hospitality Group, LTD BILLY SEWELL Platinum Corral, LLC DOUG STAFFORD Griffin Stafford Hospitality, LLC STEVE THANHAUSER Angus Barn Ltd.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CO-CHAIRS: VINAY PATEL SREE Hotels, LLC

JASON SMITH 18 Restaurant Group

Welcome New NCRLA Members Together, we can protect and advance the hospitality industry.

Allied Genpak, Charlotte Uber Eats, San Francisco, CA Paychex, Rochester, NY Provi, Chicago, IL Lodging ABC Investments & Management -Comfort Suites—Concord - Comfort Suites Airport— Charlotte - Home2Suites by Hilton Northlake—Charlotte Ajja, Raleigh

- Hilton Garden Inn—Statesville - Home2Suites by Hilton Winston-Salem

- Springhill Suites Winston-Salem Delta Hotels by Marriott RaleighDurham at RTP The Grand Regal, White Lake The White Doe Inn, Manteo Restaurants Ajja, Raleigh 5 Walnut Wine Bar, Asheville Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, Raleigh Gate City Billiards Club, Greensboro The Rural Seed Restaurant, Columbus

Go to NCRLA.org/membership to learn more about NCRLA and to download a membership application.

Thank You to Our Corporate Partners

Corporate Partners support the endeavors of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association in a variety of ways, including event sponsorships, advertising, and more. NCRLA thanks those who help make the association strong.

DIAMOND

TITANIUM

GOLD

PLATINUM

SILVER

View our Corporate Partnership opportunities at NCRLA.org Winter 2024 | At Your Service

5

At Your Service Volume 13, Issue 1 An official publication of the NC Restaurant & Lodging Association © 2024

T U O B A H S I D LET’S ITY HOSPITAL S e r v i ng

Careers

STAFF President & Chief Executive Officer LYNN D. MINGES

.com

Vice President of Communications & Business Development CHRIS MACKEY Vice President of Government Affairs ISABEL VILLA-GARCIA

What a Year!

Vice President of Finance and Operations SHELLY EUBANKS

It is hard to believe that we are already turning the calendar ahead to 2024.

This past year, together, we shared so much success.

In this issue, you will see that NCRLA’s Serving Careers marketing and employee recruitment campaign got off to a fast start. Within the first three weeks of October, the Serving Careers website, television and radio ads, and social media generated more than 7 million impressions (paid and earned), and 69,698 clicks to apply on Indeed job postings with a 36% apply start rate.

We also impacted legislation and kept a watchful eye on hundreds of bills filed during North Carolina’s 2023 legislative long session. By the numbers, lawmakers introduced 1,659 bills this session, including 107 that directly impacted the hospitality industry. On the pages ahead, you will see a wrap-up of the top pieces of legislation from this session and what our priorities are as we head into the new year and a pivotal election cycle.

We are thankful for

each member who helped us serve as the voice of more than 22,000 restaurants and hotels across the state.

Speaking of the ballot box, NCRLA continues to be better positioned than ever before thanks to our successful fundraising efforts for the NCRLA PAC, the NCRLA Advocacy Fund, and the National Restaurant Association PAC. Our Manteo to Murphy PAC fundraiser members and sponsors helped us raise more than $240,000 which will give us the ability to support candidates in 2024 at the local, state, and national levels who champion our industry.

We continue to cultivate relationships and provide valuable resources to help members run their businesses. In fact, NCRLA’s membership has increased each year, growing 60% since 2017.

We are thankful for each member who helped us serve as the voice of more than 22,000 restaurants and hotels across the state. As you read this issue, please celebrate our collective accomplishments with us and know that we will help you continue fighting for a stronger industry.

We look forward to seeing you soon at our upcoming Stars of the Industry or at the NCRLA Annual Meeting in February!

Lynn Minges NCRLA President & CEO 6

At Your Service | Winter 2024

Burney Jennings NCRLA Board Chair

Director of Membership NATALIE COX Executive Assistant JENNA DAUGHERTY Digital Communications Manager NATE ROBERTS Communications, Development & Events Coordinator INEZ NICHOLSON NCRLA Foundation & Workforce Development Coordinator KATIE PARKER Food Safety and Lodging Regulations Specialist CAROLYN K. GRIFFIN Editor SHANNON FARLOW Designer TRACIE EUBANK BUSINESS OFFICE 222 North Person Street, Suite 210 Raleigh, NC 27601 Phone: (919) 844-0098 Website: NCRLA.org For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, contact Chris Mackey, Vice President of Communications & Business Development, at cmackey@ncrla.org.

Published by Farlow+Co, LLC

/NCRLA @NCRLA Or search North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association

UPCOMING EVENTS Network with hospitality industry leaders at one of NCRLA’s upcoming events.

Learn more at NCRLA.org

February 12 NCRLA Annual Meeting 10:30 – 11:30 am Sheraton Imperial Durham, NC

March 5 NCRLA Foundation Board of Trustees Meeting 10 – 11:30 am Virtual

February 12 NCRLA Board of Directors Meeting 12:30 – 2:30 pm Sheraton Imperial Durham, NC

March 14 – 16 NC ProStart Invitational NC Central University Durham, NC

February 12 NCRLA Stars of the Industry 5:30 – 8 pm Sheraton Imperial Durham, NC

April 15 – 17 NRA Public Affairs Conference Washington, DC

May 18 – 21 National Restaurant Association Show Chicago, IL May 21 NCRLA Board of Directors Meeting City Club Raleigh Raleigh, NC May 21 Rally in Raleigh The Merrimon-Wynne House Raleigh, NC

April 26 – 28 National ProStart Invitational Baltimore, Maryland

Offer your customers what they want...

local

Provide a menu that promotes N.C. products & supports N.C. Agriculture.

HOW

• Enhance the “locally sourced in N.C.” message on your menu.

• Identify N.C. ingredients on your menu.

• Feature & promote seasonal N.C. products.

• Align purchasing decisions with N.C. product availability.

WHO CAN

HELP

For inspiration & resources contact Chad Blackwelder Food Service Marketing Specialist N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Office 919-707-3150 • Cell 919-971-4352 • chad.blackwelder@ncagr.gov

Winter 2024 | At Your Service

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Contact Kevin Osterman to request a free quote Email kosterman@employers.com Or scan here *Subject to EMPLOYERS underwriting guidelines. Association/Chamber membership does not guarantee insurance coverage. Discount offer varies by state. Some states do not apply.

Copyright © 2023 EMPLOYERS. EMPLOYERS ® is a registered trademarks of EIG Services, Inc. Employers Holdings, Inc. is a holding company with subsidiaries that are specialty providers of workers’ compensation insurance and services focused on select, small businesses engaged in low-to-medium hazard industries. The Company operates throughout the United States, with the exception of four states that are served exclusively by their state funds. Insurance is offered through Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Compensation Insurance Company, Employers Preferred Insurance Company, and Employers Assurance Company, all rated A- (Excellent) by the A.M. Best Company. Not all companies do business in all jurisdictions. See employers.com for coverage availability.

GOLD SPONSORS

Bob Luddy, CaptiveAire Systems • Burney Jennings, Biscuitville, Inc. • Helen Laughery • Dave Gronewoller, GC Partners • McLane Company

SILVER LEVEL

Billy Sewell, Platinum Corral • Anthony Kearey, Mason Jar Group • Tommy Haddock, Bojangles • Sheri Erhart, CMC Hotels • Suzanne Landis, Oliver’s on the Cape Fear • Pepsi Bottling Ventures • LM Restaurants

BRONZE LEVEL

Manteo to Murphy Event Blows the Top Off the Angus Barn Pavilion North Carolina’s hospitality industry is again better positioned for the coming election year thanks to our successful 2023 Manteo to Murphy PAC fundraiser. The annual event, generously hosted by Van Eure and Steve Thanhauser from the Angus Barn and Lance Trenary from Golden Corral, raised more than $240,000 for the NCRLA PAC, the NCRLA Advocacy Fund, and the National Restaurant Association PAC. North Carolina Central University’s famous Sound Machine Marching Band kicked off the evening with a bang! Throughout the night, 300 of the hospitality industry’s key leaders and sponsors enthusiastically bid on amazing silent auction items, including exclusive beach and mountain getaways, a 14-karat gold bracelet, and tickets to Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC, and Carolina Hurricanes games. The evening ended with an exciting live auction, hosted by professional auctioneer Justin Swisher.

The event featured 16 of North Carolina's top chefs, including NCRLA Chef of the Year Adé Carrena and Pastry Chef of the Year Emily Parker, who prepared tasting-sized portions of their favorite dishes for guests to try. This was the first Manteo to Murphy event that did not feature the Angus Barn’s iconic Iron Chef, Walter Royal, who sadly passed away earlier in the year. His chef coat was prominently displayed in his memory.

A big thank you to all our sponsors, attendees, and to those who donated to the event’s live and silent auctions.

Tim Goss, Firehouse Subs • Doug Stafford, Griffin Stafford Hospitality • Patrick Stevens, Stevens Food Group • The Pickled Onion • Vinay Patel, SREE Hotels • Ecolab • Mitchell Casteel, A Fine Catered Affair • Authorized Commercial Equipment Service

Gizmo Brew Works and Brüeprint supplied the local beer. Summit Hospitality provided hotel rooms for all the chefs traveling from outside the Triangle.

Thank you to all of the chefs for making the night deliciously unforgettable!

Winter 2024 | At Your Service

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Connecting your restaurant to the Carolinas.

Scan to sign your restaurant up today!

2023 NCRLA Legislative Session in Review NCRLA’s Government Affairs Committee worked tirelessly to present to the Board a very robust legislative agenda for the 2023–2024 biennium. That agenda was approved, and the legislative team achieved great success working with policymakers. Here, you can find our full report with the status of every bill we are tracking on behalf of the industry.

NCRLA PRIORITIES

· Restaurant Health

Inspection Changes The Regulatory Reform Act of 2023 included two major provisions for the restaurant industry pushed by NCRLA. The first reduced the number of days that local health inspectors must reinspect a restaurant from 15 to 10 days. The second reduced the number of graded inspections for a Category IV restaurant to three instead of four. Four inspections will still be done, but one inspection will be for educational purposes and not for a grade. This will allow for more open dialogue between restaurants and their health department and for real questions

to be asked during the inspection process. The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) must now go through the rulemaking process to implement the changes.

· Hotel Guest Tenancy Clarification

One of the first bills passed this session was NCRLA’s SB 53: Hotel Safety Issues.

This bill clearly delineates that a hotel guest does not have tenancy rights under the Landlord Tenant Act until after 90 days of occupancy. Previous legislation did not address this issue. Widely differing opinions by advocates and local law enforcement left many hotels across the state unable to remove guests for nonpayment or misbehavior. Governor

Cooper vetoed the legislation in the last legislative session but allowed the bill to become law without his signature this year.

· ABC Reform

In 2023, 11 bills reforming the state’s alcohol beverage control system were introduced and every one of NCRLA’s legislative priorities was included in at least one of these bills. Toward the end of the legislative session, SB 527: ABC Omnibus 2023 was introduced combining many of those provisions and others into one ABC Omnibus bill for 2023.

NCRLA-pushed items in the bill included: cocktails to go, allowing mixed beverage permittees to purchase Winter 2024 | At Your Service

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2023 LEGISLATIVE LONG SESSION BY THE NUMBERS:

1,659 149

bills were introduced this session

became law

19 of 19

vetoed bills were overridden

Of the 1,659 bills that were introduced this session, 107 directly impacted NC restaurants, hotels, and bars. Bills filed but not passed during the 2023 session are still eligible for passage in the 2024 session.

alcohol at any ABC store in their county, transparency on the purchasers of allocated spirits, changes to the advertising laws, allowing ABC to charge a fine instead of revoking a permit for failure to pay the renewal, and streamlining other permitting processes.

The bill passed the House ABC and Finance Committees. It awaits a hearing in the House Rules Committee and then would only need a final vote in the Senate. NCRLA will continue to lobby and educate members during the interim to push for passage during the 2024 session.

· Workforce Development

The 2023 state budget included up to $400,000 in funding for NCRLA’s Foundation to provide ProStart for hospitality career and technical education in North Carolina’s high schools.

· Short-Term Rentals

Senator Tim Moffitt (R-Henderson) introduced SB 667: Regulation of ShortTerm Rentals. The bill severely limits how a local municipality can regulate a shortterm rental. Senator Moffitt did not move the bill this session. He began stakeholder meetings that he intends to continue in the interim to address the issue in the short session.

12 At Your Service | Winter 2024

· Meals Taxes

No new meals taxes were introduced this session. Charlotte advocated for an extension of their expiring 1% meals tax to help fund hospitality investments, including the renovation to the Panthers stadium. The meals tax extension pushed out the expiration date from 2031 until 2060. This was included and became law as part of the SB 154 Omnibus Occupancy Tax Bill.

· Occupancy Taxes

This session, 16 bills were introduced changing or implementing new occupancy taxes The House and Senate agreed to bundle these bills into one SB 154 Omnibus Occupancy Tax Bill as long as every provision complied with the House guidelines. NCRLA pushed two non-compliant bills and a push by Alamance County into compliance for inclusion.

As part of Charlotte’s hospitality tax requests, there was a drive to extend the expiration date of the extra 2% occupancy tax that is used for the NASCAR Hall of Fame out until 2060.

NCRLA, alongside industry partners, pushed back on the extension of this out of compliance (and highest in the state) tax for Charlotte, and the provision was pulled from consideration for 2023.

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) wanted changes to the Umstead Act which could have allowed certain hotels at state parks. NCRLA worked with NCDNCR to negotiate language that would address their concerns without opening harmful competition. The final bill can be found at NCLEG.gov/BillLookUp/2023/H168.

We Supported and Passed

· Preemption on Local Gas Bans: HB 130 Energy Choice/Solar Decommissioning Requirements prevents local municipalities from banning new or existing gas lines to be used for commercial and residential purposes.

· Sports Wagering: HB 347- Sports

Wagering/Horse Racing Wagering passed with bipartisan support legalizing mobile and online sports betting as well as betting on horse racing in North Carolina. This allows our professional sports teams to remain competitive.

· Medicaid Expansion: HB 76 Access to Healthcare Options passed the

· School Calendar

We once again saw a plethora of bills filed addressing the school calendar issue. These bills were filed as both local and statewide bills. One bill made it all the way through the House and headed to the Senate where it never made it to the floor for a vote. Senate leadership continues to be fully committed to protecting the current school calendar law.

However, recent polling of legislators done by The Charlotte Observer found that 110 out of 170 legislators support returning authority to local school boards to set their own calendar.

OTHER ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE

Fixed Before Introduction

Once again, NCRLA was able to push back efforts by the NC Department of Revenue (NCDOR) to require franchisors to report the sales of their franchisees directly to NCDOR.

NCRLA is prioritizing ·restaurant health inspection

changes which will allow more communication and real questions to be asked during the inspection process.

NCRLA thanks the members of the Board of Directors and the members of the Government Affairs Committee for their work this Session. Any success the Association enjoys is directly related to those who reach out and engage with their legislators on these issues.

legislature, but was contingent upon the state budget becoming law, and became law upon passage of the budget.

We Stopped

· Requiring Cash Bill: HB 20 Cash

Commitment Act would require businesses to accept cash. NCRLA was able to negotiate a provision for hotels to be able to require a credit card for guests to check in, but restaurants and bars would still be required to accept cash under the bill. The bill passed the House, but did not move in the Senate.

We Supported and Still Pending

· Third-Party Delivery Bill: HB 599

Unfair Advertising/Food Delivery Platforms would require third-party food delivery platforms to receive written authorization from food service establishments before they are able to post the restaurant on their platform.

The restaurant could also revoke the authorization at any time. It also gives the restaurant a private right of action against the delivery service for

violations. This bill went through the House and NCRLA will continue to push for this to pass through the Senate in the upcoming short session.

Other Bills of Note

· Bar Definition: HB 125 made changes

to the definition of a bar and changes to when a bar would be inspected given the nature of food and beverages served.

Pending Bills

· Credit Card Fees: HB 209 Consumer

Credit Card Protection Act would prohibit businesses from imposing an extra charge for payment with credit or debit cards. A business could still have a lower price if a consumer chose to pay in cash.

This bill did not move this session.

Budget Provisions

Reiterated specifically in state statute that local municipalities are not able to address labor laws including wages.

Clearly preempted the ability of local municipalities to prohibit the use or charge a fee for plastic bags, single-use plastics, and Styrofoam.

Winter 2024 | At Your Service

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NCRLA'S

Serving Careers Campaign

To help the hospitality industry with ongoing labor shortages, NCRLA launched our comprehensive Serving Careers marketing recruitment campaign in October generating millions of impressions.

During the first month, the campaign generated more than 15 million impressions (paid and earned), with 209,341 clicks to apply on Indeed job postings with a 36% apply start rate. The Indeed benchmark for application starts is 20%, so we are way ahead! »

These visits can range from $100 - $1000, with HealthiestYou you pay $0 for each visit!

Winter 2024 | At Your Service

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16 At Your Service | Winter 2024

Serving Careers by the Numbers (At time of publication)

More than

13,800,000 IMPRESSIONS

through paid media

58,762 CLICKS

to the Serving Careers site

ServingCareers.com

Why It Matters

The campaign features a dedicated website, ServingCareers.com, that connects job seekers to pre-filtered job postings, powered by Indeed. From now through May 2024, the Serving Careers website will be supported by a comprehensive multi-channel marketing campaign that includes digital advertising, billboards and bus ads, radio, streaming TV, and in-person promotions at community events and job recruitment fairs across the state.

Since 2018, the hospitality industry’s needs have continued to grow. According to Lightcast, the global leader in labor market analytics, restaurant and hotel employers posted 102,165 jobs in 2022.

Serving Careers's target audience is largely entryand mid-level candidates.

Our research uncovered their needs, attitudes, and behaviors, which informs our messaging and communications mix.

People are at the center of every word and every visual in our campaign.

We talked to servers, line cooks, chefs, hotel desk staff, housekeepers, hotel managers, and more to capture their experiences and weave them into mustconsume content on the channels.

Over

68,000 WEBSITE VISITS

to ServingCareers.com Over

180,000

social media impressions

Active Job postings

38,000 VIDEO VIEWS AND 2,000 CLICKS About

1.5 MILLION READERS

through 18 published stories covering the objective of the campaign.

Share the Campaign Follow Serving Careers: @servingcareers Instagram.com/servingcareers Facebook.com/servingcareers TikTok.com/@servingcareers

120,000 100,000

93,056

80,000 60,000

65,539

102,165

71,665

51,273

40,000 20,000 0

2018

2019

Events, Community Outreach, Job Fairs NCRLA’s Serving Careers Employment Team is out recruiting hospitality employees at job fairs across the state through May 2024. Potential employees will be able to stop by the Serving Careers booth to get information about job opportunities in the hospitality industry. If you are interested in attending any of the events, email rharvey@ rlfcommunications.com.

2020

2021

2022

For Employers NCRLA's website now boasts an Employer Toolkit for businesses filled with resources and best practices related to recruitment.

The toolkit is designed to keep business owners and recruiting experts informed about industry trends and opportunities.

The recruitment landing page is built specifically for businesses, and it includes articles on recruitment, retention, interview tips, and onboarding practices.

Winter 2024 | At Your Service

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Responsible alcohol delivery helps North Carolina stores reach customers, grow their business and keep employees on the job.

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Federal Issues in 2024 NCRLA is constantly working alongside our federal partners at the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association to protect North Carolina hospitality businesses. These new federal rules and proposed legislation could affect your bottom line in 2024 and beyond.

REGULATORY ISSUES NLRB Would Drastically Expand Joint Employer Liability Legal liability and labor organizing issues will be shared among separate companies per a new federal “joint employer” rule set to take effect on Feb. 26. Under the rule, "indirect" control by one company over a worker employed by a different company can trigger joint employer status. This has implications for any hospitality business’s third-party contracts with onsite service providers (such as a janitor or linens service) and franchiseefranchisor relationships. NCRLA is working with our federal partners to restore a workable standard and we are considering legislative and legal actions.

Fed Votes to Issue Proposal Lowering Debit Card Swipe Fees In a move that could save restaurant operators and other merchants billions annually, the Federal Reserve voted in favor of issuing a proposed rule to

lower the debit fee cap for the first time since 2011. If the proposal advances, the current debit interchange rate could be cut by around 33% and would be updated on a biennial basis in accordance with Fed data. NCRLA is working with our federal partners to support the change while the financial institutions will lobby hard against this proposal.

FTC Seeks Overhaul of Restaurant and Hotel Pricing Restaurant and hotel pricing would no longer be able to include fees or other surcharges under a new rule from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Branded as “junk fees”, the FTC wants to ban mandatory service fees, living wage fees as well as credit card transaction fees, local taxes, resort fees, and other charges that may appear on a customer’s receipt.

Department of Labor Proposes New Overtime Pay for Employees In August, the US Department of Labor (DOL) announced a Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking (NPRM) about employer obligations related to overtime pay.

If enacted, the new rules would put significant new burdens on restaurants and hotels and other businesses to offer overtime pay (time-and-a-half) to a much larger portion of their employees. The proposed rule increases the minimum salary threshold for an individual to be eligible for overtime pay to $55,068, up from the current $35,568—a nearly 55% increase. The proposal also implements automatic increases to the threshold every three years. NCRLA along with our federal partners at the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association are working together to help mitigate harm to North Carolina’s hospitality businesses.

Homeland Security Doubles Available H-2B Visas In November, the Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Department of Labor, released a temporary final rule (TFR) that will make available an additional 64,716 H-2B visas, which is the maximum permitted for Fiscal Year 2024. This release nearly doubles the congressionally mandated cap of 66,000 and brings the total number of available H-2B visas for FY24 to 130,716. NCRLA along with our partners at AHLA and the National Restaurant Association have been aggressively lobbying the Biden administration and Congress to expand the number of visas available through the H-2B visa program and provide meaningful cap relief for seasonal businesses.

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES Tip Credit vs. Minimum Wage: Competing Ideas Put Wage Rules on Center Stage After Congressional Democrats debuted a plan boosting the minimum wage Winter 2024 | At Your Service

19

Swipe fees cost US businesses over $160 billion in 2022 when debit cards are included. A lack of competition between the major credit card processing networks is why swipe fees continue to skyrocket.

to $17/hour and eliminating the tip credit, Senate Republicans floated a new proposal to raise the minimum wage to $11/hour and index future wage increases to inflation. While the Republican plan preserves the tip credit, it includes mandatory e-verify requirements. NCRLA and the National Restaurant Association will continue to lead the effort to preserve the tip credit.

Credit Card Competition Act Could Save Money for Consumers and Businesses Swipe fees cost US businesses over $160 billion in 2022 when debit cards are included. A lack of competition between the major credit card processing networks is why swipe fees continue to skyrocket. The bipartisan, bicameral Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), S. 1838/H.R. 3881, would require at least two competing processing networks to be enabled on every credit card. By enhancing competition in the market, this legislation would drive down swipe fees, improve security and service, and save businesses—including restaurants—and consumers an estimated $15 billion a year. Opponents argue the Credit Card 20 At Your Service | Winter 2024

Competition Act is designed solely to benefit behemoth retailers, and that lower interchange fees may mean less money for funding credit card rewards programs. Either way, the legislation is unlikely to pass this session, which means that businesses will have to find a way to deal with increasing costs.

COMING SOON Bipartisan Efforts to Strengthen Child Labor Penalties Youth employment is under greater scrutiny on Capitol Hill and at DOL. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have introduced multiple bills that would strengthen penalties for violations of child labor laws and DOL has pledged to step up enforcement. NCRLA will continue to monitor these efforts and share resources on this issue.

App and Digital Menu Privacy Laws for Children Lose Steam in Congress Both the Kids Online Safety Act (S. 1409) and the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act (S. 1418) in the Senate appear to have lost some momentum due to a recent lawsuit

preventing California’s new kids’ online privacy law from going into effect.

NCRLA is watching as both federal bills expand online protections for those under 18 years old, but they may hamper a business's advertising and marketing practices.

CULINARY FORECAST

Grilled/Cooked Cheeses

TOP 10 TRENDS

TO P OV E R A L L

WHAT'S 2024 HOT

The influence of social media has officially hit the kitchen. That’s the finding of the new outlook report from our partners at the National Restaurant Association. The 2024 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast identified incorporating social media trends into everything from menus to marketing as the year’s top macro trend.

Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram provide restaurants inspiration via food fads along with the opportunity to create viral moments that can drive traffic and boost name recognition.

Based on insights from more than 1,500 culinary professionals, the What’s Hot Culinary Forecast highlights major trends across a range of categories, from ingredients to beverages. Here are the top picks and emerging trends poised to shape the culinary world in 2024.

World stage soups and stews (birria, chicken tom kha, laksa, salmorejo, upscale ramen) Global chicken wings International BBQ Incorporating social media trends (TikTok) Grilled/cooked cheeses (provoleta, queso fundido, raclette, halloumi, juustoleipa) Wagyu beef Stuffed vegetables (chiles en nogada, stuffed peppers, stuffed cabbage rolls) Regional menus Streamlined menus Hot honey breakfast sandwiches

Winter 2024 | At Your Service

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HOT DISHES

HOT FLAVORS

NON-ALCOHOL

World stage soups and stews (birria, chicken tom kha, laksa, salmorejo, upscale ramen)

Nashville hot

Nitro cold brew

Everything bagel spice

Energy drinks

Agave syrup

Functional waters

Global chicken wings

Turmeric ginger

International BBQ

Hibiscus

HOT INGREDIENTS Wagyu beef Root vegetables Birria A social media darling, chefs are using the spicy, sweet, smokey stew birria to elevate tacos, sandwiches, nachos, poutines, pasta, and more.

Expect to see more birria on menus in many creative applications.

EMERGING Calamansi, Philippine lime Cannabis-infused dishes Cucamelon citrusy cucumber

F L AV O R S & C O N D I M E N T S

DISHES & INGREDIENTS

Stuffed vegetables (chiles en nogada, stuffed peppers, stuffed cabbage rolls)

Chefs are looking to regional standouts for inspiration and finding ways to make them their own. Nashville hot is one such standout, a natural flavor to emerge after fried/chicken sandwiches 3.0 topped the 2023 What’s Hot list. Agave syrup is another to emerge from a 2023 top trend, alternative sweeteners—it’s sweeter than sugar but easier on the glycemic index. And hibiscus, with its tart-sweet, cranberryish flavor, is a versatile ingredient in salads, beer, cocktails, and desserts.

HOT CONDIMENTS Chili crisp Tajin Chipotle ketchup Much like sriracha, expect to see tajin proliferate in kitchens. A kick on everything from mango to meat, tajin is traditionally made from salt, dehydrated lime juice, chili peppers, and garlic.

EMERGING Tkemali, a tangy, sour Georgian plum sauce

ALCOHOL

B E V E R AG E S

Grilled/cooked cheeses (provoleta, queso fundido, raclette, halloumi, juustoleipa)

Comfort foods reign, and nothing says comfort like a bowl of soup or stew. Soups and stews check all the boxes: They’re a safe way for customers to experience new ingredients and flavors; they present an economical way to diversify the menu; recipes are super-sharable with viral potential, as SoupTok attests; and they travel well. Soups and stews track as “healthy,” too.

The common denominator in non-alcohol beverages is the demand for products that boost energy, but those promising health benefits in addition to energy are quickly gaining market share.

Energy drinks and functional waters are an easy way for consumers to sample intriguing flavors such as dragonfruit, elderflower, and hibiscus, as well as flavor mashups.

Botanical cocktails Hard coffees Low-alcohol cocktails Consumers are looking for more when they indulge in spirits: More flavor, more unusual flavors, more energy, and more options with less alcohol. Botanical ingredients are popular, elegantly scenting and flavoring spirits with recognizable natural elements (spices, herbs, flowers, berries, seeds, calyxes) that also lend perceived health benefits to cocktails. Health plays a part in the popularity of low- and zero-alcohol versions of cocktails, beers, spirits, and wine, as well.

Pandan, powdered Asian leaf with hints of rose, almond and vanilla

EMERGING

Golden Berry, with hints of pineapple, mango; resembles a tomatillo

CBD drinks

Zero-proof spirits Tepache, brewed with pineapple peels Sotol cocktails Pickle cocktails Low-sulfite, low-alcohol wine

Cucamelon

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Pickle Cocktails

HOT TRENDS Incorporating social media trends Regional menus Streamlined menus Restaurants as entertainment

M AC R O T R E N D S

Inventory optimization TikTok’s impact on food trends and restaurant menus can’t be overstated. Through social media, consumers discover flavors, ingredients, prep methods, and menu hacks. Restaurant dishes become viral sensations and vice versa—in the right culinary hands, viral “food fads” can successfully translate to menus and limited time offers (LTOs).

Social platforms are intrinsic to restaurant marketing today, capturing attention and generating buzz.

Social Media Regional Menus

EMERGING Artificial intelligence (AI) integration Augmented reality (AR) Monthly restaurant subscriptions While technologies such as AI and AR may not seem to have a role in the restaurant, keep your eye on these emerging trends—just as in other industries, the future of the kitchen is poised to be high-tech.

NCRLA Charlotte Members Support Community Matters Café Charlotte-area NCRLA members gathered in October to celebrate and support the work of Community Matters Café, a life skills and rehabilitation program of the Charlotte Rescue Mission. The restaurant setting is designed to help students and former substance abusers practice and implement the life skills needed to transition back into daily life and reintegrate into the workforce and society. Students are taught customer service, culinary, and food safety skills which makes them ideal candidates for many jobs currently available in the industry. NCRLA is partnering with Community Matters Café to offer free industry-related training and credentials to help bolster the program. Support for this initiative was provided by the National Restaurant Association through its Kitchen Cabinet initiative.

Winter 2024 | At Your Service

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“SpotOn’s restaurant POS solution stands out as great value for money spent. The SpotOn team is dedicated to helping restaurants build just the right system for their needs.”

©2017-2023 and TM, NerdWallet, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Scan for 50% off the restaurant POS named “best overall” by NerdWallet

7 SIGNS

It’s Time to Reassess Your Restaurant Tech Stack

In the fast-paced world of the restaurant industry, staying ahead of technological trends is crucial for success. From online ordering to mobile apps for staff management, technology has become integral to daily operations. However, there comes a point when reassessing your restaurant's tech stack becomes necessary. Here are seven signs that it might be time for a technology tune-up.

in the kitchen due to technology, it's time for action. Explore solutions like handheld devices or kitchen display systems to streamline operations. Additionally, if the technology becomes a hindrance rather than an aid, consider a more straightforward and streamlined approach.

Instinct Versus Data

Managing costs is always a top priority. If you’re drowning in fees associated with technology solutions, it's a red flag.

Whether it's convoluted contracts, junk fees, or overlapping platforms, excessive spending on underutilized software can be detrimental to your bottom line. Evaluate your tech expenses and consider more cost-effective solutions or optimizing existing partnerships to streamline costs.

While intuition is essential in decision-making, relying solely on instinct can limit your restaurant's potential. Access to accurate, real-time data is crucial for making informed decisions on staffing, menu planning, and overall operations.

If your current tech setup hampers your ability to gather and analyze data effectively, it's time for an upgrade.

Look for technology solutions that provide insightful reports, enabling you to make data-driven decisions that contribute to the success of your restaurant.

Lengthy Staff Training

Prolonged Simple Tasks

Excessive Fees

If your team is spending too much time learning tech or facing challenges with the technology aspect, it's time to reassess.

Prioritize user-friendly systems during the selection process for technologies like POS systems or scheduling apps. Whether it's formal training processes or informal walk-throughs for new hires, aim for simplicity to minimize training time and enhance day-to-day operations.

In the hectic world of the restaurant industry, even routine tasks can become time-consuming. If simple tasks are taking longer than necessary, it's an indication that your current technology may not be optimized for efficiency.

Explore tech solutions that can streamline these processes, freeing up time for your team to focus on delivering an exceptional guest experience.

Profit Margin Pressure

Team Inefficiencies

Your team, from servers to kitchen staff, provides invaluable insights into the daily operations of your restaurant. If they encounter inefficiencies in the ordering process or bottlenecks

Restaura nt tech

In the ever-evolving landscape of the restaurant industry, regularly reassessing your tech stack is a strategic move for growth and sustainability. Choose technology that aligns with your operational needs, enhances customer experience, and positively impacts your financial health.

To help your reassessment journey, explore SpotOn’s FREE Tech Assessment Checklist.

Accord ing to th e Natio Associa nal Resta tion’s Sta urant te of th Industry e Resta Report, urant 40% of planned restaur to inves ants t in mor (FOH) an e frontd back of-hous -of-hou e in 2023 se (BOH . ) tech

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The guest experience is at the heart of the restaurant industry, and technology plays a significant role in shaping it. If your current tech setup doesn't align with their expectations, it's a signal to reassess. Tailor your front-of-house tech strategy based on the feedback you receive. Whether it's online reviews, conversations with regulars, or surveys, use the information to fine-tune your technology offerings to meet customer needs.

Restau tech asrant checkli sessment st

But is yo ur tech stack ac efficienc tually im y and he proving lping yo Use this ur botto compreh m line? ensive workshe et to: 1. Evalu ate the tech yo u have 2. Ident ify the tec h you ne 3. Find ed the right tech pr ovider for you

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Guest Feedback Misalignment

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ent ch ecklist

Maintaining healthy profit margins is crucial for the sustainability of your restaurant. If your current tech platforms are eating into profitability with commissions and offering minimal benefits, it's time to reassess. Seek technology that actively contributes to boosting profits, whether through faster table turns, increased order sizes, or effective cost management. Consider the overall role that technology plays in your profit margins and ensure it is a net positive rather than a drain.

From seamless and efficient point-of-sale systems to integrated management solutions built for the fast-growing enterprise, SpotOn builds technology that “works the way you work,” and backs it up with a 24/7 team of experts who make sure it always does—with fairness, flexibility, and a personal touch.

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NCRLA OFFERS

FREE Training FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES Restaurant and hotel operators consistently rank employee recruitment and retention as a top challenge. One of the best ways to attract new employees and retain them is to provide training. NCRLA offers 60+ best-in-class training and certification programs in association with our partners at the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel Lodging Association. Do your employees need to learn the fundamentals of customer service? Could they benefit from professional executive-level certifications in management, finance, maintenance, security, or event reputation management? Then this is your chance to offer these benefits for FREE! 26 At Your Service | Winter 2024

Visit NCRLA.training for the complete list of courses!

TOP REQUESTED COURSES • Front-of-the-House Service & Communication • Guest Service Gold Tourism Online Program and Certification • Basic Business Operations • TripAdvisor Reputation Management for Frontline Staff • Fundamentals of Restaurant Management & Culinary Arts • Fundamentals of Financial Management • Sexual Harassment Prevention for Restaurants, Employee • ServeSuccess Certified Restaurant Supervisor (CRS) Exam

MEMBER SAVINGS PROGRAM

NCRLA Preferred Providers & Partners NCRLA partners with a number of businesses to provide discounts and resources to support members.

DELIVERY & TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS DoorDash: Is a technology company that connects people with the best in their cities. They do this by empowering local businesses and in turn, generate new ways for people to earn, work, and live. They started by facilitating door-to-door delivery, but they see this as just the beginning of connecting people with possibility—easier evenings, happier days, bigger savings accounts, wider nets, and stronger communities.

Duke Energy: Looking for energy efficiency upgrades but not sure how to pay for them?

Duke Energy’s SmartPath™ can help.

Get started today. Call 866.380.9580 or email smartpath@duke-energy.com to see if you qualify.

Fintech: Offers industry-leading technology solutions for beverage alcohol management from grain to glass.

Heartland Payment Systems: As an endorsed partner of NCRLA and the National Restaurant Association, Heartland offers a complete suite of services, including credit card processing, payroll services, tip and check management, and gift marketing. With Heartland, restaurants and hotels can reduce expenses, enhance and improve operations, and increase profitability.

Relay: Connecting your team means more than two-way talk. Relay is creating technology that focuses on innovative, durable, and adaptive ways for hospitality teams to communicate safely and efficiently.

SpotOn: From seamless and efficient point-of-sale systems to integrated management solutions built for the fast-growing enterprise, SpotOn builds technology that “works the way you work,” and backs it up with a 24/7 team of experts who make sure it always does—with fairness, flexibility, and a personal touch.

Uber Eats: Unlock a new revenue stream, connect with more partners, and grow your business on your terms with Uber Eats. Attract new customers, boost your sales, and operate with ease with their easy-to-use tools, customer insights, and analytics.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT North Carolina ProStart: NCRLA supports culinary and hospitality training programs at the high school level. Mentorships and job placements are available.

Qwick: As the leading staffing platform solely dedicated to serving the hospitality industry, Qwick gives businesses the flexibility to fill shifts in real time with qualified staff, while empowering freelancers to work when and where they want.

FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY TRAINING American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute: Founded in 1953 to provide working hospitality professionals with education and training. AHLEI continues to meet the needs of the industry with a variety of hospitality solutions, including online learning, professional certification, and resources for high schools, colleges, and workforce agencies.

Human Trafficking Training: Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) provides consultation and training to hundreds of hotels focused on reducing human trafficking and mitigating the reputational, legal, and financial risks associated with it. NCRLA members can receive the training for free.

ServSafe Food Safety Training: NCRLA members get a 20% discount on ServSafe food handler, manager, and allergen training.

FOODSERVICE AND BEVERAGE Got To Be NC: Representing all aspects of North Carolina agriculture, agri-business, and the state’s growing food industry, Got To Be NC is a proud partner of NCRLA to connect chefs and restaurants to local products to continue to diversify, innovate, and strengthen NC’s food and agriculture businesses.

Pepsi: Born in the Carolinas, NCRLA is proud to partner with Pepsi to not only quench your thirst, but to make a positive impact in the NC community.

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TAX CREDIT SPECIALISTS

Shelton Vineyards: Founded in 1999, Shelton Vineyards was envisioned as a new agricultural resource for an area once dependent on tobacco farming. Discover all the “Rieslings” why NCRLA partners with Shelton Vineyards.

Addesso Capital: NCRLA has engaged Adesso Capital as our partner offering Employee Retention Credit filing services to our members. Adesso Capital provides concierge financial services to small and mid-sized businesses. When the pandemic drove business into a downturn, Adesso assembled a team of tax experts to help businesses maximize the federal COVID relief available to them. Adesso has helped hundreds of businesses secure tens of millions of dollars in ERC funds.

LIQUOR LIABILITY

US Foods: As one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, US Foods provides customers with innovative food offerings, culinary equipment, and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology, and business solutions to help increase your bottom line.

HOTEL PERFORMANCE DATA STR: The global leader in hotel data and performance benchmarking. As an NCRLA member, you are entitled to special discounts on many STR products and services, and access to the monthly STR report.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION Cerity: A subsidiary of Employers, offers digital, direct-to-customer workers’ compensation insurance policies. They offer a fast, digital, and mobile-friendly experience that can provide instant quotes, flexible and affordable payment plans, efficient claims management, and loss control services, all at your fingertips.

Employers: To help keep restaurants and hotels working safely, eligible NCRLA members can receive a five percent association credit on their workers’ compensation insurance through Employers.

LEGAL SOLUTIONS ATTORNEY SERVICES

Blanchard, Miller, Lewis & Isley, P.A.: North Carolina’s liquor industry is dynamic and evolving rapidly, but it is also highly regulated. These attorneys have extensive experience representing breweries and hospitality industry clients before the NC Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, as well as in litigation involving alcoholic beverage laws and regulations.

Cranfill Sumner: These attorneys help keep your business running smoothly and safely, protect your interests, and give you peace of mind. They assist retailers, hoteliers, and those working with them in matters related to Hospitality Law, Professional Liability, Employment Law, and more.

CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENTS Class Action Capital: Many hotels do not have the time, resources, or relevant data available to file a settlement claim, and Class Action Capital will work with you to submit a fully comprehensive claim recovery, while minimizing the use of your employees’ time, internal resources, and the risk of errors when managing claims yourself.

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Hospitality Insurance Group: When your business serves or sells liquor, it’s always best to play it safe. That’s why NCRLA partnered with HIG to provide the best liquor liability coverage possible to protect establishments in what is known to be a high-risk industry.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Largemouth: Words matter! Largemouth has been helping clients in the hospitality industry navigate the maze of communication channels to take their stories to the next level. They help you with PR strategy and messaging, media relations, social communications, corporate communications, issues management, and brand activations.

MUSIC LICENSING BMI: Broadcast Music, Inc. is the bridge between songwriters and the businesses and organizations that want to play their music publicly. Save up to 20% on annual fees. Call 800-925-8451 or visit BMI.com.

PRODUCT SUPPLIERS Ecolab: Around the world, businesses in foodservice, food processing, and hospitality choose Ecolab products and services to keep their environment clean and safe, operate efficiently, and achieve sustainability goals.

HEALTH & WELLNESS United Healthcare: Offers “members-only” pricing and healthcare solutions that include affordable virtual doctor visits through Teladoc, individual and family plans that don’t require employer participation, and discounts on home health lab testing services and prescriptions.

Insurance People: An exclusive health insurance offering, Insurance People is an independent NC-based agency that provides a comprehensive suite of insurance solutions to protect you from the unexpected.

Marsh McLennan: Marsh McLennan proudly offers a comprehensive suite of non-insurance benefits, designed to add significant value to your compensation package. This program is ideal for employees of all statuses, including part-time contractors, retirees, seasonal workers, and full-time employees. With benefits such as the Consumerism Card, available for just $10/month, employees gain access to a wide range of services.

Member Moments

Proudly Recognizing North Carolina’s Hospitality Leaders

North Carolina BBQ Stars Shine on Southern Living's Top 50 List

Prime Barbecue

US Foods Awards Scholarships to North Carolina Culinary Students US Foods has announced its 2023 class of US Foods Scholars, including two students from North Carolina: Victoria Dunn and Amber Quinn, both baking and pastry arts students at Wake Technical College in Raleigh. Each scholar will receive a $20,000 scholarship to support their continued education and development opportunities with US Foods culinary professionals. The US Foods Scholars program was launched in 2017 to provide financial support and hands-on learning to students pursuing careers in the culinary and hospitality industries.

Victoria Dunn

Amber Quinn

Southern Living has unveiled its 2023 list of the Top 50 BBQ Joints in the South, with a total of eight North Carolina restaurants recognized. NCRLA members are celebrated on the list, with Lexington Barbecue in Lexington ranking seventh and Prime Barbecue in Knightdale securing spot #50.

Chef Showdown Star Launches Program to Combat Food Insecurity in Chatham County Sera Cuni, 2023 NCRLA Chef Showdown recipient of the Undeniably Dairy Award for Best Savory Dish and chef and owner of Cafe Root Cellar in Pittsboro and Root Cellar Cafe & Catering in Chapel Hill, launched FeedWell Fridges, a community fridge program aimed at providing fresh and affordable food options to residents facing food insecurity.

The program's first fridge, located in Siler City, is stocked daily with food from local restaurants and fresh produce from local farmers and grocery stores. Cuni envisions expanding the program throughout Chatham County by establishing a 501c3 nonprofit to raise funds.

Tryon Distributing Raised Nearly $30,000 for Hospitality Workers Relief Fund

Tryon Distributing, one of North Carolina’s top craft beer and wine distributors, hosted their third annual Tryon Charity Golf Classic, raising almost $28,890 to support the NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund. “We wanted to choose a cause that supported the people and efforts in our own industry this year,” said Ed Johnson, President of Tryon Distributing. Run through the NCRLA Foundation, the NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund provides financial relief for hospitality workers experiencing extraordinary hardship and adversity.

QUICK BITES Amber Moshakos Joins National Restaurant Association Board of Directors The National Restaurant Association recently added Amber Moshakos, President of LM Restaurants to its board of directors. She joins Lance Trenary, President & CEO of Golden Corral, and Lynn Minges, NCRLA’s President and CEO, on the board. Trenary is currently serving as Immediate Past Chair.

Sheri Erhart Featured in Women of Western Wake Magazine Sheri Erhart, Executive Vice President of CMC Hotels was featured in Women of Western Wake magazine, highlighting her contributions to the hospitality industry.

Steve Griffin Appointed to UNCW Board of Trustees Steve Griffin, President of Insurance People, was recently appointed to the UNCW Board of Trustees. Vinay Patel, Principal and Head of External Affairs for SREE Hotels has served on the UNC Board of Trustees since 2021.

Chef Jason Smith Appointed to NC Commission on Public Health Chef Jason Smith, Proprietor of 18 Restaurant Group, was appointed to the NC Commission on Public Health. He was also recently recognized by the International Fresh Produce Association for his produce innovation, creativity, and use of fresh fruit and vegetables on his menus.

Restaurant Owner Leonardo “Leo” Williams Elected as Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams, a member of NCRLA and owner of Zweli's Kitchen and Ekhaya, was elected as the new mayor of Durham.

We look forward to hearing more about his plans to address crime and building a city-wide apprenticeship program.

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À La Carte

A sampler of hospitality news stories Charlotte, NC

North Carolina Metros Soar in Population Rankings for 2100 North Carolina's urban areas are poised for significant growth, with Charlotte-ConcordGastonia and Raleigh-Cary making their mark in the list of the estimated top 25 most populous US cities for 2100. A study by relocation technology firm moveBuddha, using US Census Bureau data and current migration trends, projects CharlotteConcord-Gastonia at No. 13 and Raleigh-Cary at No. 20 in the rankings. Charlotte saw a 19.29% population growth rate from 2010 to 2020, with an estimated 11.01 million people by 2100. RaleighCary experienced a 24.88% growth rate and is expected to reach 8.4 million people by the end of the century.

Charlotte Considered Drive-Thru Ban McDonald's Celebrates "1 in 8" Americans Who Have Worked at its Restaurants From astronauts and teachers to award-winning playwrights and executives, McDonald's has served as a springboard for countless individuals to launch their careers and pursue their dreams. One in eight Americans have had the unique experience of working at a McDonald's restaurant, a testament to the company's vast reach and impact on communities across the country. To honor this remarkable community, McDonald's is launching the "1 in 8" initiative, a platform that will connect former and current crew members, provide exclusive programming, and offer mentorship opportunities.

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country and North Carolina has recently made modifications to its human trafficking laws to strengthen victims’ rights. When hospitality employees learn the signs of human trafficking, they can become advocates for helping human trafficking victims. NCRLA’s ongoing partnership with Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) provides Inhospitable to Human Trafficking training to our lodging and restaurant members. This partnership and resource help North Carolina become a leader in preventing the exploitation of vulnerable people. To take advantage of this free member benefit, Inhospitable to Human Trafficking training is available for hospitality employees online. Visit NCRLA.org/training-education/best to learn more.

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This year, there was an effort by Charlotte city staff to limit new drive-thru’s in densifying Charlotte neighborhoods. The rationale behind these bans was to reduce car dependency and promote pedestrian-friendly environments that align with environmental goals. Despite this proposal, the ban was not implemented after facing opposition and extensive public engagement. Similar discussions are emerging in Raleigh, indicating the potential for this issue to recur in other urban areas. NCRLA successfully opposed the drivethru ban proposal in Charlotte, but it remains important to monitor and engage in discussions on this topic in various cities.

THE ECOLAB SCIENCE CERTIFIED™ PROGRAM Partnering to help people feel confident that establishments are taking steps to provide a higher level of cleanliness

What is the Ecolab Science Certified™ program?

A comprehensive, science-based public health and food safety program that combines science-backed products, procedures and training with periodic auditing to help deliver a higher level of cleanliness.

Together, we can help you meet employee, staff, guest and customer expectations and advance cleaner, safer practices.

Health and safety remains important to restaurant guests • 86% say a business’s commitment to public health and safety factors into their decision to patronize that location • 71% of patrons are concerned that businesses will reduce their health and safety practices in the future Source: “Consumer Sentiment Study;” March 15th, 2022 (paid for by Ecolab)

Learn more at Ecolab.com/ScienceCertified or Scan Here © 2023 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved.

4 STEPS TO DRIVING CONSUMER CONFIDENCE CREATE CLEAN Through science-based products, programs and procedures

CHECK CLEAN Through annual audits to support compliance, health and safety

SEE CLEAN Through on-site signage and digital media

BELIEVE CLEAN Through a national consumer awareness and education media campaign