Food truck | KRG Hospitality

December 1, 2022by krghospitality krghospitality No Comments

KRG Hospitality Adds to Team

KRG Hospitality Enters New Era of Growth with Addition to Team

by David Klemt

Kim Richardson joins the KRG Hospitality team, representing Philadelphia and the Northeastern US region via the agency’s new license program.

PHILADELPHIA, PA—KRG Hospitality today announces an exciting new addition to the consulting agency’s team. Following several years of success, KRG is now entering a new phase of growth.

Kim Richardson, who has more than 23 years of experience in the hotel and restaurant industry, will represent KRG at the agency’s Philadelphia office. Further, Richardson will be KRG’s representative for the Northeastern region of the United States, serving Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

As the newest member of the KRG team, Richardson is excited to bring all her hospitality industry knowledge and experience to the Philadelphia area. From Five Diamond Hotels to brick-and-mortar restaurants, she has had her hands in the Philadelphia hospitality scene since moving to the city in 2003. With an admiration for the industry since a very young age, she has a passion for all things hospitality. Most importantly, Richardson brings with her a passion and eagerness to help grow the industry and lead others to success.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than understanding a client’s dream, perfecting it, and bringing that vision to life,” says Richardson.

This exciting new addition to the KRG team represents the launch of the agency’s new licensed consultant program. KRG operates in several key markets—Toronto, Las Vegas, Calgary, Vancouver, Philadelphia, Nashville, Orlando, and the Caribbean—and is planning to add more partners as regional representatives throughout 2023.

“As we move forward from the pandemic era, we look forward to positioning the brand for continued and further success,” says KRG Hospitality president Doug Radkey. “Creating a licensed consultant program provides us the opportunity to reach a wider audience, provide additional value and support for our clients, and help push this exciting industry forward.”

About KRG Hospitality

KRG Hospitality is a storied and respected agency with proven success over the past decade, delivering exceptional and award-winning concepts throughout a variety of markets found within Canada, the United States, and abroad since 2009. Specializing in startups, KRG is known for originality and innovation, rejecting cookie-cutter approaches to client projects. The agency provides clients with a clear framework tailored to their specific projects, helping to realize their vision for a scalable, sustainable, profitable, memorable, and consistent business. Learn more at KRGHospitality.com. Connect with KRG Hospitality and the Bar Hacks podcast on social: KRG Twitter, Bar Hacks Twitter, KRG Media Twitter, KRG LinkedIn.

Image: KRG Hospitality

Cheesy chicken sandwich on paper wrapper

November 30, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

The NRA’s 2023 Culinary Trend Forecast

The National Restaurant Association’s 2023 Culinary Trend Forecast

by David Klemt

Ahead of the beginning of a new year, the National Restaurant Association unveils their culinary trend predictions for 2023.

The report is the result of a collaboration between the NRA, Technomic, and the American Culinary Federation (ACF).

For those unfamiliar, Technomic is at the forefront of foodservice trend tracking, industry research, and analysis. Likewise, the ACF is a premier industry organization. Tracing its founding to 1929, the ACF promotes “the professional image of American chefs worldwide through education of culinarians at all levels.”

To predict what will be “hot” next year, the NRA, Technomic, and ACF sent the 17th annual What’s Hot survey to thought leaders and chefs. In direct partnership with the Technomic Menu Research & Insights Division, the NRA predicted the top menu trends from 110 items spanning 11 categories.

Now, this isn’t a full dive into the report in its entirety. Rather, we strongly encourage our readers to download a copy of What’s Hot 2023 Culinary Forecast for themselves and their teams.

What readers will find below are the top 10 trends for 2023. Additionally, we’ll share the top three macro trends for next year, as forecast by the NRA and their partners.

More than Food

Somewhat surprisingly, the NRA’s top-ten list of culinary trends isn’t just a list of food items. Instead, this forecast paints a picture of where restaurants are heading in 2023.

While there are some specific cuisine predictions, the NRA’s top culinary predictions show us, in part, how consumers want to experience the restaurants they visit.

Southeast Asian cuisines (examples: Vietnamese, Singaporean)
Zero waste/Sustainability/Upcycled foods
Globally inspired salads
Sriracha variations
Menu streamlining
Flatbread sandwiches/Healthier wraps
Comfort fare
Charcuterie boards
Fried chicken sandwiches and Chicken sandwiches “3.0” (example: fusion of flavors)
Experiences/Local culture and community

As we can see, operators and consumers expect tighter, more concept-specific menus. Also, comfort foods; shareable (and “Instagrammable”) items like charcuterie boards; and items that show local and global influences may be hot in 2023.

One can consider, then, streamlining their menu to include their top sellers along with local and/or global flavors authentic to their brand.

Below, readers will see that three of the trends above make up the NRA’s top-three 2023 macro trends:

Menu streamlining
Comfort fare
Experiences/Local culture and community

Operator and Consumer Behavioral Shifts

Looking at the macro trends, it’s reasonable to believe the past few years will influence 2023 heavily.

Operators are dealing with inflation, higher costs for everything, labor shortages. Further, according to Datassential, more than a third of American operators are experiencing low traffic and sales levels.

We can expect these issues to follow us into 2023, at least for Q1 and Q2. Therefore, the NRA’s macro trends forecast makes sense. Streamlining menus often leads to streamlining the back and front of house. In turn, doing so can lower costs and boost staff retention.

On the consumer side, it appears comfort foods, chicken sandwiches, and experiences are driving visits and online orders. These are, as we all know, behavioral shifts we can trace back to the start of the pandemic.

We always suggest proceeding with caution, logic, and data when considering embracing trends. Missing out on trends can be just as costly as latching onto a trend too late.

That said, the macro trends certainly seem reasonable. Only time will tell, but the NRA’s 2023 forecast certainly contains several items operators and their teams should give serious consideration.

Image: Arabi Ishaque on Unsplash

November 29, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

169 Grants May be the End of the RRF

169 Grants May be the End of the RRF

by David Klemt

UPDATE: According to some sources, the report of $180 million in “leftover” RRF money are inaccurate. The disbursement of $83 million represents the final release of RRF funds.

The $83 million in grants going out this week to 169 recipients may be the end of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund in its entirety.

Unfortunately, it’s possible last week’s awards represent the final grants. This, despite the Government Accountability Office (GAO) finding $180 million in funds in July.

As far as the sources of these funds, that topic remains a bit vague.

However, the story is that more than $150 million are the result of clawbacks. More than a third, if reporting is accurate, is the result of recipients or financial institutions returning grants. Reports indicate another $24 million come from the SBA setting aside $24 million for litigation.

Per the National Restaurant Association months ago, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 does not include a provision for a litigation fund. Therefore, the NRA called for the SBA to disburse that money to RRF applicants.

What we do know is that last week’s RRF grant recipients should be receiving their funds this week. According to the SBA, 169 recipients were awarded a portion of $83 million in RRF money.

Again, that’s money the GAO found back in July. It’s also less than half of the reported $180 million the government agency found this summer.

Given the fact that the SBA announced a disbursement of just 46 percent of the “leftover” funds, many believed another round was in the works. Sadly, that may not be the case. It’s possible—and increasingly likely, regrettably—that the rest of the $180 million in funds won’t go to grant applicants.

Now, I want to be clear on one important point: I’m relieved for the 169 grant recipients. I truly hope the funds arrive in time to help them and their teams.

While I’ll feel disappointment if a second round of the $180 million never materializes, I’m happy for those who received a portion of the $83 million awarded last week.

Frustration

So, where does the industry go from here? The failure of Congress to replenish the RRF left a reported 150,166 applicants with zero assistance. According to Nation’s Restaurant News, it would have taken $41 billion to award each applicant a grant. Obviously, $180 million was never going to serve to help that many applicants.

Frustratingly, the answer to the question above appears to be: Move forward on our own. And that unsatisfactory answer has flooded with me opinions.

One opinion? Our industry, it seems, is always left to fend for itself. Despite the millions of people hospitality employs, lawmakers and politicians don’t seem willing to assist us—and therefore their constituents—in meaningful ways.

Another opinion? Perhaps we need to build a more powerful lobby to have our voices heard. Such an effort began in earnest to support the RRF. However, too many elected officials were comfortable refusing to replenish the fund.

A third opinion was shaped by Eileen Wayner, CEO of Tales of the Cocktail. As a guest on the Bar Hacks podcast she addressed the perception of operators and hospitality workers as being adaptable and resilient.

While those characteristics can be admirable, Wayner expressed something I think we all feel: Sometimes, we’re tired of being resilient. Sometimes, we’re tired of being expected to adapt. There are times our industry needs help.

When you’re constantly seen as resilient, people believe you don’t need assistance. What we’ve seen with the RRF and its failed replenishment is that too many people with the power to help can write us off. “They’re resilient,” they say. “They’ll figure it out. They’ll be fine.”

Well, we’re not all “fine.” We needed help, and we deserved it.

Image: CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

November 11, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Why is the SBA Sitting on RRF Funds?

Why is the SBA Sitting on Tens of Millions in RRF Funds?

by David Klemt

Three months after the revelation that the SBA is sitting on $180 million in RRF funds, we’re wondering why they still aren’t disbursing the money.

Oh, and a handful of American lawmakers have the same question. In fact, two members of the House and two senators are requesting a plan from the SBA.

The patience of Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) appears to be at its end. So, too, the willingness for Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Roger Wicker (R-MS) to simply wait and see.

So, the bipartisan lawmakers are playing hardball, sending a strongly-worded letter to the Small Business Administration.

$180 Million in Available Funds

As it turns out, there are are tens of millions of dollars in unallocated Restaurant Revitalization Funds. Months ago, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigated the RRF situation.

Back in July, the fruits of the investigation came to light: of the $28.6 billion in the RRF, $180 million have not been disbursed. Further, it was reported in August that the SBA was working the Department of Justice to “formulate a plan on how to distribute” the money.

It’s now November and…there’s no news. Well, there’s news, but it’s that four bipartisan lawmakers are demanding answers and action from the SBA.

Look, $180 million is a far cry from the $40 billion our industry needed and deserved to have approved to replenish the RRF. Indeed, if every dollar of this “found” money is distributed to RRF applicants, just 0.44 percent would receive a grant.

However, nearly $200 million in funds can still help some operators. There’s simply no excuse for the SBA failing to disburse the funds six months after the GAO made their discovery.

Clearly, several lawmakers agree with this assessment.

Lawmakers Seek Action from the SBA

Earlier this week, Reps. Blumenauer and Fitzpatrick, and Sens. Sinema and Wicker, sent a letter to the SBA. Not only are they seeking action from the SBA, they’re seeking a plan by next week.

“We request the SBA provide Congress with a detailed plan and timeline to distribute unobligated RRF funding as well as detailed information regarding the agency’s progress in retrieving misallocated funds and distributing those funds to eligible applicants no later than Monday, November 14, 2022,” reads the letter.

Further, the lawmakers make their position clear: “It is inexcusable for the Small Business Administration to not dispense every single available dollar to help as many of our nation’s still struggling main street businesses.”

According to reports, the lawmakers who penned the letter are working with the Independent Restaurant Coalition and National Restaurant Association. Reporting states that the IRC and NRA endorse the letter sent by the lawmakers this week.

As of the publication of this article, the SBA has issued no response. Unfortunately, that’s not exactly surprising. After all, they’ve been silent on this topic for months.

Image: Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

November 9, 2022by krghospitality krghospitality No Comments

2023: Year of the POS Systems?

2023: Year of the POS Systems?

by David Klemt

Image from SpotOn press release

According to SpotOn, the industry could be in for a tech revolution next year as independent operators pursue more powerful POS solutions.

The results of a survey conducted by the cloud-based POS platform are rather revealing. In an effort to better understand where the industry is heading, SpotOn surveyed 300 independent and small-chain restaurant operators.

Both full-service and limited-service (LSR) concept operators participated in this SpotOn survey. Intended to identify the challenges operators face currently, the results reveal much more.

Below, the picture these survey results paint for the industry.

Legacy vs. Innovation

This isn’t the first time I’ve stated the following: Our industry hasn’t been the fastest to implement new technology.

However, we did appear to turn that around in 2021. Now, heading into 2023, our industry may be pursuing cutting-edge tech solutions even more fervently. Today’s guest expects more tech, and your team likely wants access to more modern tech that makes their jobs easier.

Per SpotOn’s survey, 81 percent of independent operators still use so-called “legacy” POS systems. These are “traditional” systems from companies that have been around for quite some time.

It’s not difficult to understand why the vast majority of independent operators continue using legacy systems:

Investing in a new platform requires expenditures of money and time.
Introducing a new POS platform requires staff training.
Staff need to grow adept at using the new system.
It can be daunting to research the available platforms and implementing change.

So, independent and small-chain operators have a choice to make: Stick with the familiar or invest in the future. Change can not only be intimidating, it can be expensive.

However, it seems that most operators are ready to throw comfort to the wayside and embrace innovation.

State-of-the-art Benefits

Should the SpotOn survey prove to be accurate snapshot of the industry, 75 percent of operators will implement new tech next year. According to SpotOn, this is largely in response to growing labor challenges, such as scheduling and retention.

The restaurant, bar, nightclub, and food truck platform found that operators are spending as much as 20 hours per week on administrative tasks. State-of-the-art POS systems can slash those hours by:

streamlining operations;
making scheduling simpler;
calculating tips and payout for payroll; and
managing overtime, an increasingly common task.

More modern POS platforms can automate labor management tasks, saving operators time, money, and frustration. Automation and streamlining give operators something invaluable: time.

In particular, innovative and helpful tech solutions provide an operator with time to focus on growing their business. When weighing whether to keep a familiar but less feature-rich POS system or invest in a modern platform that seamlessly integrates many solutions, ask yourself a couple important questions:

What’s my time worth?
What am I focusing on every day?
Am I growing my business or stagnating?
Is my current POS system helping or hindering my team?
Does my POS system streamline and automate any tasks?

Image: SpotOn

October 28, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Credit Card Competition Act, Take Two

Credit Card Competition Act, Take Two

by David Klemt

As we approach Election Day on November 8, it’s important to keep in mind that the Credit Card Competition Act of 2022 is still in play.

In fact, reports predict that another attempt to pass the bipartisan bill will take place in November. If reports are accurate, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) will try to include the bill in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Now, that sentence and strategy may have you scratching your head. What, you may be asking yourself, do credit card fees have to do with defense spending?

Well, not much, truthfully. But you’re probably well aware that politicians will try to amend bills in bids to pass legislation they want. The common term for such a provision is “rider.”

It’s not difficult to understand why the Credit Card Competition Act has gone nowhere when we view Sens. Durbin and Marshall’s rider tactic.

Earlier this month, the senators attempted to include their bill within the NDAA. The reason is simple: the bill specifies the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) budget and expenditures each year. In other words, this is a “must-pass” bill.

However, Sens. Durbin and Marshall aren’t the only senators sponsoring bills. And they’re certainly not the only senators attempting to attach riders to the NDAA.

“It’s a bold strategy, Cotton.”

I will say, at least Sen. Durbin’s effort to attach the Credit Card Competition Act rider to the NDAA is somewhat related to the DoD.

You see, he and Sen. Marshall tried to tack on two amendments to push their bill through. The first amendment theorizes that veterans are being hurt by credit card fees. According to the senators, when military veterans make purchases at a military commissary, they are sometimes subjected to surcharges related to merchant interchange fees.

The second amendment brings the US Treasury Department and US Defense Department into the mix. This effort directs the departments to research just how much veterans are paying (annually, one would assume) in surcharges, and which companies these fees benefit. Then, the departments are to issue this report to Congress.

So, hey, points for attempting to make including the Credit Card Competition Act of 2022 relate to the NDAA for FY 2022. Of course, other senators are attempting to include their own riders. Should reporting prove accurate, some 900 amendments have been proposed. Supposedly, a few dozen might just make it.

This strategy didn’t work this month because the NDAA vote isn’t taking place in October. Instead, the plan is for the vote to take place sometime mid-November, when the US Senate reconvenes.

To learn more about the Credit Card Act of 2022, click here. If it’s a bill you support, let your elected officials know. Should you oppose the bill, let that be known to lawmakers as well.

Image: CardMapr.nl on Unsplash

October 26, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

F&B in Canada: Top Menu Items

F&B in Canada: Top Menu Items

by David Klemt

Those wondering what food and beverage menu items are performing best among consumers throughout Canada need wonder no more.

And why is that? Well, Restaurants Canada has the answers, revealing the top ten food and top ten beverage items.

Further, the organization compares each item’s performance. In this instance, Restaurants Canada analyses the percentage of orders that contained each food or beverage item from January to April 2022 in comparison to 2019.

These insights (and many more) are available in Restaurants Canada’s 2022 Foodservice Facts report. In fact, you can find our reviews of several of the restaurant advocacy group’s report topics via the links below:

For your own copy of this year’s Foodservice Facts report, click here.

Top 10 Canadian Drink Menu Trends

As you’ll see below, coffee is outperforming nearly every other beverage category. Specifically, Hot coffee is at the top, while Iced or frozen coffee is ranked third.

Unsurprisingly, Carbonated soft drinks / Pop / Soda split the two coffee categories. According to Restaurants Canada, the Carbonated soft drink category can credit its performance in large part to QSRs.

Milk: 1.8% (2019) to 1.8% (2022)
Iced tea: 2.9% (2019) to 1.6% (2022)
Milkshakes / Smoothies: 2.1% (2019) to 2.0% (2022)
Fruit juice: 3.8% (2019) to 3.0% (2022)
Hot tea: 5.5% (2019) to 4.5% (2022)
Alcohol beverages: 5.1% (2019) to 5.7% (2022)
Water: 6.6% (2019) to 5.0% (2022)
Iced or frozen coffee: 5.3% (2019) to 7.5% (2022)
Carbonated soft drinks / Pop / Soda: 19.7% (2019) to 20.2% (2022)
Hot coffee: 40.9% (2019) to 41.9% (2022)

Compellingly, Alcohol beverage performance in restaurants fluctuated by age group between 2021 and 2022. Alcohol order shares in restaurants, per Restaurants Canada:

Legal drinking Age (LDA) to 34: 46% (2021) to 43% (2022)
35 to 49: 17% (2021) to 21% (2022)
50-plus: 37% (2021) to 36% (2022)

Alcohol order shares in bars, according to Restaurants Canada:

LDA to 34: 35% (2021) to 35% (2022)
35 to 49: 17% (2021) to 19% (2022)
50-plus: 49% (2021) to 47% (2022)

Overall, the 35 to 49 age group appears to be consuming less alcohol in bars and restaurants in comparison to the LDA to 34 and 50-plus cohorts.

Top 10 Canadian Food Menu Trends

As Restaurants Canada notes, the Sandwich / Sub category has grown in 2022. Interestingly, the category just below it in growth, Chicken, is partially responsible for boosting Sandwich / Sub performance.

As far as entrees or “main attractions,” the Burger category remains at the top, beating out Breakfast, Sandwich / Sub, Chicken, and Pizza menu items.

Cake / Squares / Muffins: 3.7% (2019) to 3.3% (2022)
Salad: 4.3% (2019) to 3.8% (2022)
Donuts / Beignets: 3.0% (2019) to 3.8% (2022)
Breads: 4.3% (2019) to 3.4% (2022)
Pizza / Panzerotti / Calzone: 4.1% (2019) to 4.3% (2022)
Chicken: 7.6% (2019) to 8.5% (2022)
Sandwich / Sub: 8.0% (2019) to 8.5% (2022)
Breakfast: 10.8% (2019) to 11.4% (2022)
Burger: 9.0% (2019) to 10.9% (2022)
French fries / Potato / Sweet potato / Onion rings: 15.0% (2019) to 16.1% (2022)

Image: Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

United States Capitol Building and Capitol Grounds

August 19, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Members of Congress Send Letter to SBA

Members of Congress Send Letter to SBA Regarding $180 Million

by David Klemt

More than 70 members of Congress are urging the Small Business Administration to act quickly to fund eligible RRF applicants.

This news comes on the heels of the findings of the Government Accountability Office’s investigation into the RRF. As you may recall, the GAO discovered $180 million in unobligated funds.

In response, 73 representatives and senators sent the SBA a letter. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) are leading the effort to quickly and fairly distribute the $180 million.

At the start, members of Congress ask that the SBA take immediately action. Also, that the SBA give priority consideration to RRF applicants who didn’t receive funds even though they were awarded grants.

By the way, that’s about 7,000 applicants.

Unfortunately, the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 doesn’t include funds to replenish the RRF. And while $180 million is nowhere near the $42-43 billion our industry needs and deserves, it’s something. In fact, it’s a reason to keep pushing Congress to do the right and responsible thing.

Interestingly, the letter sent to the SBA also urges the clawing back of funds for various reasons. One social media user, in response to the letter, suggested auditing the recipients. Presumably, this would also lead to a clawback and, in turn, the further awarding of grants.

Key Segments of the Letter

“Last month, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report titled Restaurant Revitalization Fund: Opportunities Exist to Improve Oversight that stated that as of as of June 2022, $180 million of RRF funding was unobligated. As you know, about 177,000 restaurants that applied to the program did not receive awards. While we understand the remainder of the funding will not reach every business that applied, it is imperative that the SBA distribute every dollar to help as many struggling restaurants as is feasible.

“In addition to these actions, we are also urging that SBA take action to recover funds that have been awarded to ineligible applicants, were found to be accepted fraudulently, or could otherwise be returned. For example, the aforementioned GAO report states that SBA does not require recipients to report their operating status, despite the statute requiring that businesses that permanently close to return the unused funds to SBA. SBA has itself identified potentially ineligible recipients, such as clubs and hotels that failed to meet statutory eligibility criteria. Money recovered from fraudulent and ineligible businesses can subsequently be used to help
fund the many businesses who were unable to receive grants. We urge you to take action on this matter and provide us with detailed information on the amount of funding that may be recovered as well as SBA’s progress in doing so.”

Image: Francine Sreca from Pixabay

June 13, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

After RRF Failure, What’s Next for Us?

After RRF Failure, What’s Next for Us?

by David Klemt

After the US Senate failed to even debate the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, instead opting to let it die, what’s next?

Obviously, trusting our elected officials to do the right thing isn’t a viable option. After all, the Senate slow-walked the RRF’s death march. It took six weeks after the House voted “yes” on RRF for senators to filibuster the bill to death.

Last Thursday, the National Restaurant Association addressed moving forward. Sean Kennedy, executive vice president of public affairs, released a 90-second video in which he spoke about the RRF and where we are now.

Reconciliation?

One of the first options Kennedy proposes in his video is a reconciliation bill. That, however, is highly unlikely to come to fruition.

So, what’s a reconciliation bill? Simply put, it has to do with the Senate’s supermajority requirement.

In order for a bill to advance to a vote, 60 percent of the Senate must support ending a filibuster. On that topic, a filibuster is a procedural tool that prolongs a debate. The filibuster is used to delay or prevent a vote on a bill, resolution, etc.

Now, a budget reconciliation bill circumvents the supermajority requirement. A simple majority—51 senators for the US Senate—is all it takes to override a filibuster in this instance.

Technically, from what I’ve come to understand, the Senate can pass a maximum of three budget reconciliation bills in a year. Most often, it passes a single such bill per year.

Obviously, Kennedy feels that this would be a longshot to cross our fingers and hope the RRF is funded via these means.

Staying Ready

As they say—yes, “they”—if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. According to Kennedy, the NRA is prepared to act in any way they can should replenishing the RRF or similar aide once again become an option.

“We’re gonna continue to closely monitor the situation and we certainly can activate if there any signs of movement,” he says. “We’re not seeing them yet.”

The “yet” there is perhaps a bit hopeful. And as we like to say, hope isn’t a strategy. However, optimism is far healthier than pessimism and hopelessness.

Additionally, Kennedy and the NRA are grateful to the bipartisan group of representatives and senators who have shown their support for our industry and replenishing the RRF.

“We’re incredibly appreciative of the works of our champions in Congress,” says Kennedy.

In particular, he acknowledges Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and senators Ben Carden (D-MD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). In the House, Kennedy thanks Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

What’s Next?

As Kennedy says, much of what he discussed with people at the 2022 NRA Show centered around this very topic. Just what are we supposed to do moving forward?

Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer, no simple solution we can point to and implement.

Instead, we have several issues we must navigate to keep restaurant and bar doors open:

What can we do to more effectively recruit and retain staff?
How can we best address increases in food costs and problems with availability?
Is there a way to address rising credit card transaction fees?

Of course, that’s but a handful of what we must address and solve. And at least when it comes to the first question, we know some of the elements for the solution:

Treat staff with respect.
Value diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Improve pay and offer benefits.
Develop a healthy company culture and workplace.

On the topic of state and local policymakers, expecting help is a dicey proposition.

Unless they engage with the owners, operators, and industry professionals in their states, counties, cites, and towns, they’ll hurt these businesses. The only effective and helpful way forward is for them to engage with us and not simply introduce and pass legislation that hurts. Possible, of course, but a big ask as we’ve seen proven time and time again.

Image: Minator Yang on Unsplash

U.S. Capitol Building exterior, cloudy blue skies

May 23, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Breakdown: How Senators Voted on RRF

Breakdown: How Senators Voted on RRF

by David Klemt

After a year of waiting, we now know the fate of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund: a 52 to 43 vote that saw RRF replenishment fail on the Senate floor.

Last Thursday, the US Senate voted to debate the Small Business COVID Relief Act of 2022 (S.4008). A filibuster put an end to this effort to replenish the RRF.

To be blunt, this is a disgrace. Eligible RRF applicants have been awaiting needed and deserved grants for a year. We were left out of Build Back Better, we were left out of the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill passed in March.

A contributing factor to why this is so disappointing is the passing of S.3811. Of particular note, 32 of the senators who voted against $40 billion for American restaurants and bars voted in favor of $40 billion for supplemental aid for Ukraine.

Now, I’m not saying that Ukraine doesn’t deserve our support. Likewise, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have voted to provide the war-torn country $40 billion in aid.

However, I am saying that I find it indefensible that dozens of our senators would send that kind of money overseas, then turn around and deny relief for American businesses.

In one moment we have senators saying America needs to come first. They then proceed to turn their backs on hard-working Americans.

Nay Votes

Unfortunately, 43 senators—all Republican—voted against the Small Business COVID Relief Act of 2022. Therefore, they voted against replenishing the RRF.

However, that doesn’t mean all Republican senators voted against the bill. Indeed, four Republicans voted with their Democrat and Independent peers.

Barrasso (R-WY)
Blackburn (R-TN)
Boozman (R-AR)
Braun (R-IN)
Burr (R-NC)
Capito (R-WV)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Cotton (R-AR)
Cramer (R-ND)
Crapo (R-ID)
Cruz (R-TX)
Daines (R-MT)
Fischer (R-NE)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hagerty (R-TN)
Hawley (R-MO)
Hoeven (R-ND)
Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Johnson (R-WI)
Kennedy (R-LA)
Lankford (R-OK)
Lee (R-UT)
Lummis (R-WY)
McConnell (R-KY)
Moran (R-KS)
Paul (R-KY)
Portman (R-OH)
Risch (R-ID)
Romney (R-UT)
Rounds (R-SD)
Rubio (R-FL)
Sasse (R-NE)
Scott (R-FL)
Scott (R-SC)
Shelby (R-AL)
Sullivan (R-AK)
Thune (R-SD)
Tillis (R-NC)
Toomey (R-PA)
Tuberville (R-AL)
Young (R-IN)

Yea Votes

It’s important to remember that the Small Business COVID Relief Act of 2022 was a bipartisan effort. Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced the bill, which included $40 billion for the RRF and $8 billion for other businesses.

Four Republican senators and two Independents voted in the affirmative with all Democrats.