CEO UPDATE to the Board of Directors
Stan Harris, LRA President & CEO
September 11, 2025
Dear LRA Directors,
Now that summer has come to an end and we are well into September, it’s a good time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished since we last met and to look ahead at what’s on the horizon. From the success of our Showcase and progress on the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan to ongoing advocacy and membership initiatives, we continue to manage a wide array of efforts that support restaurants and hospitality businesses across Louisiana. At the same time, important developments nationally remind us of the broader landscape in which we operate.
LRA Showcase
We opened August with another successful LRA Showcase on August 2–3. This year’s event surpassed 2024, achieving higher revenue from both exhibits and attendee registration.
I want to thank Showcase Chair Paul Hutson once again, his committee, Pam St. Pierre, Wendy Waren and their teams for their hard work and dedication. Special thanks to Kristie Goff and Mary Therio on the members services team.
• Looking ahead, please note that the 2026 Showcase will be held one week earlier than usual, on July 25–26, with committee meetings scheduled for Friday, July 24.
Strategic Planning
Later in the month, on August 19–20, the committee met to begin shaping the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, which we will present at the November Board meeting. The group emphasized advocacy, expertise and innovation as the key themes, which is already informing our communications and membership plans for the fall and beyond.
Board Nominations
As we approach the last quarter of 2025, we are seeking nominees for the LRA Board of Directors, the LRAEF Board of Directors, and the LRA Self Insurer’s Fund ( for participating companies). We have shared a video appeal through our last two Snapshot e-newsletters to support recruitment, and we continue to prioritize developing a diverse, engaged leadership team to represent our members statewide.
Watch the Video
If you have any recommendations for a fellow member, you think would be interested in serving at one of these levels, please let me know.
Membership and Communications
While our membership numbers remain comparable to last year and slightly ahead of financial forecast, we are still working to regain members who closed or sold their businesses following Covid.
At the chapter level, we have several meetings approaching, and the focus will center on advocacy, policy and other matters of interest. Pam and Wendy will share the EAT (Educate, Advocate, Train) elements outlined in their 2025 Membership Engagement strategy. Will plans to discuss how the LRA achieves positive outcomes for restaurants and the industry through lobbying, PAC involvement and member engagement.
• A companion piece will further illustrate the LRA’s advocacy in the areas of: Labor and Workforce; Operations and Compliance; Sales and Revenue Support; Food and Beverage Integrity; and Responsible Business Practices.
• We will also be underscoring the importance of their relationships with legislators and city council members.
We do have several inactive chapters, and in the Southwest area, our team has made progress in gaining new members and reengaging existing ones. They are working to harness that momentum by hosting a member gathering next week.
If successful, we plan to replicate this effort in Northeast and Northwest Louisiana.
We have a strong lineup of advocacy-focused chapter meetings and fundraising events benefiting the LRA Hospitality PAC and the LRAEF this fall:
Chapter Meetings
September 22 – Acadiana, Prejean’s in Broussard
September 25 – Bayou, Big Mike’s BBQ
October 15 – GNO, Upstairs at Felipe’s
October 21 – GBR, location TBD
October 6 – Acadiana Golf Tournament, Wetlands Golf Course
This has become a great event in its third year. A great day of golf, food and fun. Tee time is 12:30 p.m. Foursomes are still available!
October
26
– GBR Oktoberfest, Live Oak at Cedar Lodge
Now in its 4th year, and a move to Live Oak at Cedar Lodge on Jefferson Highway, this event continues to grow. You can grab a great beer, hear lively music and tour the stables to admire the beautiful Arabian horses. Tickets are on sale now! 3-6 p.m.
October
28
– GNO Golf Tournament, Bayou Oaks
This long-time staple event is always in high demand and is now SOLD OUT!
Fall Board Meeting
We look forward to our final Board meeting of the year, November 2–4, in New Orleans. Chair Mark Latter will host the kickoff event at Tujague’s Restaurant (427 Decatur St.) on Sunday evening. Monday will feature committee meetings and the LRAEF Board at the Hyatt Centric French Quarter (800 Iberville St.), and that evening, a board cocktail hour and dinner on Galatoire’s main floor. This is always something to look forward to.
On Tuesday, the Executive Committee will meet, and then the LRA Board meeting will begin at 10 a.m., also at the Hyatt Centric. Bridget will be providing event times, locations and reservation/confirmation information.
Although the meeting overlaps with the Travel South Michelin Guide announcement in Greenville, SC, we had already finalized plans and commitments for these dates. We extend our best wishes to the member restaurants expected to be considered for recognition.
ACADIANA
LRA SCRAMBLE
NATIONAL ITEMS:
NRA Fall Board Meeting
Next week, we will travel to Washington, D.C., for the NRA and NRAEF Fall Board meetings. The agenda is expected to focus heavily on policy, particularly as the Supreme Court prepares to consider the President’s authority to impose tariffs.
American Franchise Act
Yesterday, you might have seen that a bi-partisan group of Congress introduced the American Franchise Act that would permanently codify the role of the parties and protect the integrity of the franchise business model. This is a critical piece of legislation. It will provide clarity that a “joint employer” determination can only be made if the franchisor possesses and exercises substantial direct and immediate control over essential employment terms such as hiring, termination, setting wage levels or disciplinary action. This will help define that while franchisors establish brand standards, franchisees remain independent employers.
NRA Membership Update
At the end of last week, you learned that McDonald’s was terminating its membership with the National Restaurant Association. While this is disappointing, it is not surprising. We still have several smaller McDonald’s operators in the ranks of our LRA members.
The corporate stance is they believe the NRA’s support of no tax on tips provides a distinct advantage to full-service operators. The CEO of McDonald’s went on to note that going forward, the tipped wage should be eliminated because the disparity between minimum wage and tipped wage is another unfair advantage. The NRA’s position is these are two different business models and the primary benefit related to no tax on tips is directly enjoyed by the server, not the restaurant.
Departures of chain members have happened in the past. In my first few years, we lost a large longtime LRA member with whom I had a lifelong personal relationship. It was disappointing, but it related solely to our efforts to protect the tip credit. I could not make them understand that we were also working with equal energy to defeat the “Fight for $15” movement that was seeking a $15 minimum wage, that could have a detrimental effect on their business. I believe the tent of the NRA is big enough to equitably represent the needs of full service, casual and quick service restaurants with legislators, Congress and regulators. The history of the success of the NRA and the SRA partners is there for anyone to review.
Thank you for your continued membership and for the leadership you provide to the LRA. Your volunteer service not only strengthens our organization but also supports the restaurant and hospitality industry across Louisiana. We are grateful for the time, energy, and commitment you dedicate to advancing our industry and serving your communities.