Settlement clears way for José Andrés restaurant to cook with gas in Palo Alto

The city of Palo Alto has found a way to allow celebrity chef José Andrés to use natural gas in a new building because development plans were underway before the city’s electrification ordinance was finalized. However, that won’t help other restaurateurs looking to do the same thing. The city is moving ahead with enforcing its ordinance, which is the same type of gas ban that violates federal law, according to a recent decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of the CRA in a case against the city of Berkeley. If you are impacted by a ban on natural gas in your area, the CRA would like to hear from you. Please contact our Vice President of Public Affairs Sharokina Shams at sshams@calrest.org.

Read more

Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo: Register Today

It is not too early to register for the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, which is being held in Anaheim this year. Each year, the show gives thousands of attendees access to education, legal resources and connections to producers of innovative products and services meant to make operations easier and more profitable.

Early bird pricing is available for a limited time and CRA members receive one complimentary show admission for each $100 in membership dues paid.

Learn more

Best of the Valley brings out the Valley’s best restaurants

The CRA Fresno chapter’s Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards honored restaurants in many dining categories and gave special honors to the LaRocca family, whose members have made some of the best Italian restaurants in Fresno possible. See the complete list of winners here.

Learn more: Instagram

Learn more: Facebook

Learn, network and repeat at this workers comp conference

If you want to connect with industry peers on the subject of workers’ compensation, this annual conference put on by the California Coalition on Workers’ Compensation is the place to do it. Wait, there is a group called the ‘Coalition on Workers Compensation?’ Yes, there is, and attendees of the event are pros in human resources, health and safety, and risk management.

Learn more

FDA voluntary sodium reduction compliance about a year away

The FDA has issued its final guidance for voluntary sodium reduction targets in the food industry, which includes restaurants. Average sodium intake in the U.S. is 3,400 mg per day while dietary guidelines recommend that people limit their consumption of sodium to just 2,300 mg per day.

Read more

Key small business tax bill introduced, would help most restaurants

Under the “Main Street Tax Certainty Act,” nine of 10 restaurants would see a permanent 20% tax break for qualified income. The law would make the 20% deduction of qualified business income permanent for pass-through businesses. The bill’s author says pass-through businesses represent 98% of all businesses in the country and employ about half of American workers. The U.S. Senator who introduced the bill, which would apply nationwide if it passes, is from Montana.

Read more

News You Need to Know: Bills we oppose, bills we support this year

In this edition of the News You Need to Know, hear about key bills that face votes in the coming days. Sabrina breaks them down into two categories – the ones opposed by the CRA, and the ones we support. Each and every one of these bills will impact California restaurants. CRA members, for our handy, updated “Hot Bills” list that you can print out and refer back to, click here.

Remember to click ‘Log in CRA Content’ at the top right of our website to access that document.

Watch now

Meet our 2023 Restaurants Care Champions!

These are the companies investing in Restaurants Care’s mission to care for the people at the heart of California’s restaurant community. Their support will power grants to 366 independent restaurants and over 100 food and beverage workers this year. Thank you to the many volunteers, advocates, donors, and Champions who are working to expand this critical safety net!

Learn more

Healthy Hospitality Mental Health Resource: Active Minds

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, Active Minds has developed a best practices resource for managers on creating a culture of wellness in the workplace to support the hospitality industry.

The guide will provide specific recommendations for employers, actionable strategies/solutions, and address common questions.

Download PDF

Looking for more resources? Check out the Healthy Hospitality Mental Health Resources page.

New BMI/NRG study confirms consumers eat, drink & spend more when listening to music

According to a recent study by BMI and NRG (National Research Group), bars and restaurants that feature live music have customers who eat, drink and spend more when listening to music they enjoy, resulting in higher revenues for many business owners.

Did you know? CRA members can save up to 20% off their music licensing fees. Learn more.

Download Infographic

View study