When North Carolina’s hospitality industry unites, our collective voice grows stronger. Together, we drive meaningful changes: protecting, promoting, and advancing restaurants, lodging establishments, bars, and suppliers. NCRLA is your ally, working to make our industry stronger and more resilient.
Access to Critical Information
NCRLA members get weekly updates in our In the Mix and View from Jones Street newsletters, plus a weekly Restaurant Activity Report. You also have access to our Legislative Agenda and Bill Tracker, our Guide to Hospitality Law, and research from our national partners.
Advocacy
NCRLA is the leading advocate for the hospitality and tourism industries in North Carolina. We support our members’ interests through lobbying at the local, state, and federal levels, focusing on tourism funding, taxation, alcohol beverage control, and workforce issues.
Employee Benefits
Providing benefits for your employees can help you recruit new talent and retain your employees. NCRLA has solutions for employers of all sizes, including a comprehensive suite of noninsurance benefits designed to add significant value to your compensation package.
Member Savings
NCRLA offers access to a wide array of discount and preferred partner programs to help our members achieve operational efficiencies and save money.
Networking
NCRLA offers several opportunities for members to network, including major industry events, receptions, membership meetings, and a golf tournament, as well as Political Action Committee (PAC) and Foundation fundraisers.
NCRLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
JASON SMITH, CHAIR 18 Restaurant Group
SHERI ERHART, VICE CHAIR CMC Hotels
VINAY PATEL, TREASURER SREE Hotels, LLC
TAD DOLBIER, SECRETARY Tar Heel Capital Corporation
LANCE TRENARY, NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION LIAISON Golden Corral Corporation
AMBER MOSHAKOS, NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION LIAISON LM Restaurants
TOM PASHLEY, IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Pinehurst Resort
LYNN MINGES, PRESIDENT & CEO FRANK GRAY, GENERAL COUNSEL
BOARD MEMBERS: JEFF CHANDLER Chandler Foods, Inc.
ANDY CLARK US Foods
SABRINA BENGEL Bengel Hospitality
BURNEY JENNINGS
Biscuitville Fresh Southern
CHEETIE KUMAR Ajja
JULIA MCGOVERN Poppyseed Market
SEAN POTTER Built on Hospitality
GONZA SALAMANCA Gonza Tacos Y Tequila
STEVE THANHAUSER Angus Barn
DEAN WENDEL
Concord Hospitality
PETE BYERS Summit Hospitality
BRENDA DURDEN South Asheville Hotel Associates
JAMES L GRATTON Charlotte Marriott SouthPark
KELLY HARRILL Koury Corporation/Koury Hospitality
RUSS JONES
LODEN Hospitality
DAVID MARS The Umstead Hotel and
PAUL NISWONGER First Carolina Management Hotels
NISHITH “NISH” PATEL Beacon IMG, Inc.
PINKESH PATEL
Welcome New NCRLA Members
Together, we can protect and advance the hospitality industry.
Allied
Allied Eco-Grip Floor, Charlotte
Archer Data Systems Inc., Carrboro
Billy Barton Accountant, LLC, Clayton
FL Hospitality Service, LLC, Pittsboro
Gordon Food Service, Kannapolis
KBS, Oceanside, CA
Kitchen Guard, Asheville/Greenville
PMT Solutions, Raleigh
Renue Systems of NC, Knightdale
Tarheel Linen, Durham
Traction Pros, Greensboro
Lodging
Atlantis Lodge, Atlantic Beach
Restaurants
Alpaca Chicken–Apex
Alpaca Chicken–Brier Creek
Alpaca Chicken–Capital Blvd.
Alpaca Chicken–Chapel Hill
Alpaca Chicken–Durham 9th St.
Alpaca Chicken–Davidson Ave.
Alpaca Chicken–South Square
Alpaca Chicken–Fayetteville
Alpaca Chicken–White Oak
Alpaca Chicken–Hillsborough St.
Alpaca Chicken–Holly Springs
Alpaca Chicken–Knightdale
Alpaca Chicken–Mebane
Alpaca Chicken–Morrisville
Alpaca Chicken–Sanford
Alpaca Chicken–Southport
Alpaca Chicken–Wake Forest
Alpaca Chicken–Wilmington
Beach Bum’s Pizzeria, Surf City
Beaufort Olive Oil Company–Emerald Isle
Beaufort Olive Oil Company–Beaufort
Beaufort Olive Oil Company–Morehead City
Circa 81 Tapas and Cocktaileria, Atlantic Beach
Cypress Hall, New Bern
Dank Burrito, Greenville
Dank Burrito, Fayetteville
Dank Burrito, Morehead City
Dank Burrito, Raleigh
Dive Bar, Concord
81 Hospitality Group, Morehead City
Gaffer’s, Emerald Isle
Prime Bistro & Wine Bar, Atlantic Beach
Saltbox Seafood Joint, Durham
Social Q Smokehouse, Atlantic Beach
The Craft House, Surf City
Circa 81 Tapas and Cocktaileria, Atlantic Beach, Photo: @circa81nc
Alpaca Chicken, Photo: @alpaca_chicken
Cypress Hall, New Bern, Photo: cypresshallrestaurant.com
Beach Bum’s Pizzeria, Surf City, Photo: beachbumsgrillbars.com
Membership Has Its Privileges
As we head into the heart of summer, we're reminded of the joy that comes with long, sunny days and time spent with friends and family. It’s also a time to reflect on the tremendous progress we’ve made together over the first half of the year.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. It is truly our privilege to have you as a member of NCRLA.
Your engagement has helped fuel a season of accomplishments. This spring, we hosted several key events that reinforced the power of our united hospitality community. Thank you to those who joined us at our annual meeting, the Stars of the Industry celebration, and most recently at the Public Affairs Conference in Washington, DC.
There, more than 600 industry leaders, including a strong North Carolina delegation, met with more than 350 congressional offices. Our delegation had productive conversations with NC’s own representatives, including Sen. Ted Budd, Sen. Thom Tillis, Congressman Richard Hudson, and others. Together, we championed critical issues like swipe fee reform, fair tax policy, and other top priorities for hospitality businesses.
Your engagement has helped fuel a season of accomplishments.”
You’ll see in the following pages that NCRLA also hosted a private dinner for our delegation—joined by several members of Congress. These direct engagements are powerful moments that help shape legislation in support of our industry.
Back in North Carolina, many of you joined us for our Rally in Raleigh legislative reception, where we hosted more than 100 members of the General Assembly. This event gave us the opportunity to thank lawmakers for their continued support and to advocate on behalf of NC’s restaurants and hotels.
Your membership makes all of this possible. And we are committed to giving back by delivering value throughout the year. From influential advocacy to signature events like Chef Showdown and the Future of Hospitality Golf Tournament, to workforce development programs and operational resources—your NCRLA membership brings with it real, lasting impact.
Because membership has its privileges. And it is our privilege to work for you.
Wishing you a joyful, restful summer. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Vice President of Communications & Business Development
CHRIS MACKEY
Vice President of Government Affairs
ISABEL VILLA-GARCIA
Vice President of Finance and Operations
SHELLY EUBANKS
Director of Membership
NATALIE COX
Director of the NCRLA Foundation
COURTNEY HAMM
Digital Communications Manager NATE ROBERTS
Executive Assistant DANA TOBIN
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.
Lynn Minges NCRLA President & CEO
Jason Smith NCRLA Board Chair
UPCOMING EVENTS
Network with hospitality industry leaders at one of NCRLA’s upcoming events. Learn more at NCRLA.org
July 15
NCRLA Foundation Board of Trustees Meeting
Virtual
August 4
NCRLA Chef Showdown Grand Finale Bay 7 at the American Tobacco Campus
Durham
August 18
Future of Hospitality Golf Classic
Prestonwood Country Club
Cary
October 27
NCRLA Board Meeting
TBD
October 27
Manteo to Murphy PAC Fundraiser
The Pavilion at the Angus Barn
Raleigh
Offer your customers what they want...
Provide a menu that promotes N.C. products & supports N.C. Agriculture.
• 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. 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
Benefit and GolfClassic
NCRLA Foundation’s Annual Future of Hospitality Golf Classic
Monday, August 18, 2025 | Prestonwood Country Club in Cary
Grab your golf clubs and get ready for the NCRLA Foundation’s annual Future of Hospitality Golf Classic!
Or visit NCRLA/org/event/2025-future-of-hospitality-golf-tournament.
Test your skills against other hospitality professionals.
Compete in a variety of contests and raffles. Enjoy food and beverages throughout the course.
Proceeds help provide scholarships and education programs to prepare North Carolina’s next generation of hospitality professionals.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contribute a raffle item, or become a food vendor, contact Courtney Hamm at chamm@ncrla.org.
THE HEAT IS N
2025 NCRLA CHEF SHOWDOWN FIRES UP THE COMPETITION
Get ready for North Carolina’s largest and most thrilling culinary and mixology competition! NCRLA’s ninth annual NCRLA Chef Showdown, presented by Got To Be NC Agriculture, is officially underway and it’s shaping up to be the most exciting showdown to date.
The competition started this year in April and continues through the summer, with a total of 72 competitors from across the state going head-to-head in a sizzling series of preliminary and semifinal competitions.
On the culinary side, chefs and pastry chefs each compete in one of the preliminary rounds, crafting dishes that spotlight North Carolina’s rich bounty of local ingredients. Then, the highest-scoring chefs and the top-scoring pastry chefs advance to compete in one of two semifinal regional rounds of culinary competition.
Individual panels of expert judges, all North Carolina chefs and pastry chefs themselves, evaluate competitors on presentation, technique, taste, creativity, and the best use of local flavors. Previous Chef Showdown champions will sit at the Judges’ Table for the two semifinal rounds of culinary competition.
On the cocktail side, North Carolina mixologists have partnered with local distilleries to make up 17 separate mixology teams this year. Having completed the preliminary mixology rounds in April, 10 of the original 17 advanced as semifinalists. We are looking forward to two spirited semifinal rounds of mixology competitions coming up in July. Each
mixologist will create a competition cocktail featuring the spirits of their partner distillery and a competition mocktail, celebrating creativity without the kick.
Twenty-six competitors, who rise to the challenge and advance through the semifinals, earn their place in the spotlight as finalists at the Chef Showdown Grand Finale at Bay 7 in Durham, where they each will vie for the 2025 top titles, which include:
• NCRLA Chef of the Year
• NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year
• NCRLA Distillery of the Year
• NCRLA Mixologist of the Year
• NCRLA Mocktail of the Year
At the Grand Finale, guests get in on the action, sampling bite-sized portions of sweet and savory creations, sipping competition cocktails and mocktails. Guests also get to cast their votes to determine The People’s Choice Honors this year, powered by Sysco.
Additionally, there will be four 2025 Undeniably Dairy Awards presented in each category for the best use of local cow’s milk dairy products in a savory dish, dessert, cocktail, and mocktail.
And for the first time ever, our Grand Finale will feature a NC Wine Bar where guests may sample award-winning local wines, ciders, and meades.
The Grand Finale is open to the public and is expected to sell out!
Call your foodie friends, save the date, and get your tickets now. Don’t wait, this hot ticket is the best evening of eating and drinking locally you’ll experience all year. Tickets are on sale now at NCChefShowdown.com.
Meantime, follow along with all the fun, action, and accolades at @ncrlachefshowdown and @ncrla on Instagram and Facebook.
CHEF SHOWDOWN 2025 NCRLA INSIDE THE
55 Chefs
(44 Savory Chefs + 11 Pastry Chefs) Total Competitors
17 Mixologist and Local Distillery Pairs
11 ROUNDS OF COMPETITION
CULINA RY MIXOLO GY
FIVE PRELIMINARY ROUNDS:
• Sandhills Community College: Southern Pines, NC
• Central Piedmont Community College Culinary School: Charlotte, NC
• Carteret Community College: Morehead City, NC
• Wake Tech Community College School of Baking and Pastry Arts: Raleigh, NC
• AB Tech Community College: Asheville, NC
TWO SEMIFINAL REGIONALS:
• Central Piedmont Community College Culinary School: Charlotte, NC
• Wake Tech Community College School of Baking and Pastry Arts: Raleigh, NC
FINALISTS WILL COMPETE AT THE GRAND FINALE.
First and second place Chef of the Year and Pastry Chef of the Year will join the prestigious 2025–2026 Got To Be NC team of culinary ambassadors.
TWO PRELIMINARY ROUNDS:
• Piccione Vineyards: Ronda, NC
• End of Days Distillery: Wilmington, NC
TWO SEMIFINAL REGIONALS:
• Chemist Spirits: Asheville, NC
• Native Fine Diner: Greenville, NC
FINALISTS WILL COMPETE AT THE GRAND FINALE.
First and second place teams will join the esteemed 2025–2026 Got To Be NC team of beverage ambassadors.
GRAND FINALE: AUGUST 4, 2025 | 6–8:30 PM
BAY 7 AT THE AMERICAN TOBACCO CAMPUS IN DURHAM
NCRLA Brings Industry Voice to Raleigh During Day of Action
On Tuesday, June 3, NCRLA hosted a full day of industry engagement and advocacy in downtown Raleigh, culminating in our annual Rally in Raleigh legislative reception.
The day began with NCRLA’s Board of Directors meeting, where industry leaders from across the state gathered to discuss key priorities, share updates, and align on strategies to strengthen North Carolina’s hospitality sector. Board members received timely updates on legislative activity, workforce initiatives, and industry insights—setting the tone for a productive day.
That evening, hospitality professionals joined state lawmakers at the historic Merrimon-Wynne House for Rally in Raleigh. The reception provided a valuable opportunity for direct, face-to-
face conversations with elected officials about the policies and challenges shaping the hospitality industry. In a relaxed setting, attendees shared their stories, built relationships, and advocated for a stronger, more resilient business climate.
We’re grateful to everyone who participated in this important day of advocacy and relationship building. NCRLA remains committed to championing policies that support and grow North Carolina’s hospitality industry.
Thank you to our generous event sponsors:
and
The Merrimon-Wynne House, ALSCO Linens, Rocky Top Catering,
Kitchen Guard.
Leading with Purpose:
Lynn Minges Bids Farewell After 13 Years at NCRLA Helm
After more than a decade at the forefront of North Carolina’s hospitality industry, Lynn Minges, President & CEO of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA), is preparing to retire at the end of 2025. Her 13-year tenure leaves behind a legacy of innovation, resilience, and tireless advocacy that transformed one of North Carolina’s largest trade associations into a powerful and unifying force for good.
“Lynn has been an extraordinary leader for the North Carolina hospitality industry during a time of both challenge and opportunity,” says NCRLA Board Chair Jason Smith. “She has unified our industry, expanded our impact, heightened our effectiveness, and navigated significant public policy challenges. The organization is well-positioned to continue to fulfill its mission to advance and protect the industry.”
CHAMPION FOR AN INDUSTRY IN FLUX
When Minges took the reins in 2012, she brought more than two decades of executive leadership experience from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, where she spearheaded initiatives in tourism, film, and sports development. At NCRLA, she wasted no time in building bridges across sectors, guiding restaurateurs, hoteliers, and suppliers through times of unprecedented change and growth.
Her ability to unify the hospitality industry, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, may be her most defining achievement. “The sight of empty dining rooms and hotel lobbies is something I’ll never forget,” Minges recalls. “But what I’ll also never forget is how quickly our industry adapted.”
Under her leadership, NCRLA launched Count on Me NC, a public health initiative that became a national model for rebuilding consumer trust and promoting best practices for safe operations. Thousands of businesses took part, reinforcing North Carolina’s reputation as a state that puts safety, service, and innovation first.
Lynn
been an extraordinary leader for the North Carolina hospitality industry during a time of both challenge and opportunity.”
One of her proudest accomplishments? Securing a $500 million Business Recovery Grant Program, targeted specifically at restaurants and hotels that experienced significant financial loss. “We were the only state to deliver this level of targeted support,” Minges says. “It showed the true power of advocacy in action.”
POLICY REFORMER AND ADVOCATE
Throughout her tenure, Minges has helped modernize North Carolina’s often-archaic alcohol laws—a longstanding thorn in the side of many in the industry. Landmark legislation spearheaded during her leadership includes:
• The Brunch Bill (2017): Legalizing Sunday morning alcohol sales statewide.
• Social Districts (2021): Revitalizing downtowns by allowing open-container zones.
• Expanded ABC Access (2024): Allowing businesses to purchase liquor from any ABC store in their county.
Under Lynn's leadership, NCRLA launched Count on Me NC, a public health initiative that became a national model for rebuilding consumer trust and promoting best practices for safe operations.
Voice for Progress
FOR REVIVAL BLUEPRINT
OF THE NORTH CAROLINA HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
ASurvivalandRecoveryPlanforNCRestaurantsandHotels
During the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home orders along with government-mandated capacity restrictions and regulations — coupled with declining consumer confidence — reduced sales revenues and increased the cost of business operations. Under Lynn's leadership, the award-winning Blueprint for Revival was created for the purpose of promoting programs and legislation to help restaurants, hotels, and taverns survive and recover.
And yet, she’s not done. Minges remains a vocal advocate for full ABC modernization, including a centralized liquor inventory system and streamlined permit applications. “We’re working with laws written 80 years ago,” she says. “The system needs a complete overhaul.”
While full privatization of the state-run ABC system may remain out of reach, she’s hopeful that incremental reforms will ease operational burdens and foster a fairer, more transparent system. “Progress is possible. But it requires persistent and united advocacy,” she says.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR LYNN?
As she looks toward her next chapter, Minges remains fully engaged in her leadership role through the end of the year and is actively involved in supporting the search for her successor and a smooth transition for the association.
“I am deeply grateful to our members, partners, and the entire NCRLA team for their support and collaboration,” Minges
says. “While I’ll miss the daily interactions, I know the future of hospitality in North Carolina is bright.”
As for retirement? She smiles. “I’m looking forward to spending time with my family, traveling at my own pace, and enjoying more time at the coast.”
PARTING WORDS OF WISDOM
To North Carolina’s restaurateurs and hoteliers still battling daily challenges, Minges offers this: “Be flexible. Stay creative. Embrace technology. And remember—you are vital to your community.”
And to the hospitality workforce she has championed for over a decade: “Thank you for your resilience, your heart, and your service. You are what makes this industry so special.”
As North Carolina prepares to turn the page, it does so with deep appreciation for a leader whose vision, grit, and grace helped write one of the hospitality industry’s most transformative chapters.
SETTING THE TABLE FOR SUCCESS
Ecolab solutions work together to elevate your operation
Clean, Healthy Spaces
Efficient Operations
Actionable Insights
Ecolab is proud to support the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association
Serving Careers Nears Final Stretch with One Last Hiring Boost
Since launching NCRLA’s workforce recruitment campaign at the end of 2023, the $5 million campaign continues to generate impressive results. The campaign includes a robust ServingCareers.com website and job portal powered by Indeed. We originally supported the efforts with a $2 million media spend, including streaming tv and radio, social media, bus and billboard ads, and in-person recruiting events.
As we have been winding down this project, NCRLA identified a remaining balance of $100,000 for marketing that was yet to be spent. We worked with the Department of Revenue to use the balance on an additional boost with Indeed to coincide with the summer hiring season. Million
The results were incredible. In April, we generated an additional:
12.5
880,923 306,849 Clicks on website and social media Application Starts Impressions
Photography by Stephanie Ascari
Asheville and Cary High Schools Represent NC at
NATIONAL PROSTART INVITATIONAL
North Carolina’s rising hospitality stars from Asheville and Cary took the national stage in Baltimore at the National ProStart Invitational.
Following their win at the North Carolina ProStart Invitational, held at North Carolina Central University in Durham, the two high school teams joined more than 400 students from 96 teams across 48 states to showcase their skills.
Asheville High School’s management team impressed the national judges with Tempest, their original restaurant concept inspired by their experiences following Hurricane Helene.
Cary High School’s culinary students wowed judges with a
three-course menu featuring curry shrimp and grits, seared chicken with balsamic glaze, and tiramisu panna cotta.
Aiesha Truesdale from CE Jordan High School was recognized alongside Team North Carolina in Baltimore as North Carolina’s 2025 Educator of Excellence.
NCRLA President & CEO Lynn Minges, Foundation Director Courtney Hamm, Golden Corral CEO Lance Trenary, and Golden Corral Sr. VP of Communications & Strategy Shelley Wolford were among the many industry leaders cheering them on, along with dedicated mentors and ProStart educators.
We’re proud to support these future leaders through ProStart. Learn more at NCRLA.org/prostart.
Lodging establishments must also maintain training logs, display awareness signage, and establish written procedures for reporting suspected trafficking to local authorities or the National Human Trafficking Hotline.”
NC HOSPITALITY LAW UPDATE
New Human Trafficking Training Requirement Takes Effect for NC Lodging Industry in July 2025
Beginning July 1, 2025, lodging establishments, vacation rentals, and accommodation facilitators across North Carolina must comply with new state laws requiring human trafficking awareness training for employees and contractors. The mandate—established under NC General Statutes 130A-511 and 42A-39—aims to bolster frontline prevention and reporting efforts in industries where traffickers often exploit hospitality settings. The law requires covered personnel providing housekeeping, maintenance, food service, or check-in/check-out services to complete an approved training course within 60 days of hire (for new staff) or by June 30, 2027 (for current staff). Training must be repeated every two years and is available free of charge through the following providers:
• BEST (Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking)
*NCRLA Member Benefit
• PACT (Protect All Children from Trafficking)
• Unbound Now—Human Trafficking Foundations
• Marriot International (For information on accessing Marriott’s human trafficking awareness training, contact Abbe Horswill at abbe.horswill@marriott.com)
Lodging establishments must also maintain training logs, display awareness signage, and establish written procedures for reporting suspected trafficking to local authorities or the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Accommodation facilitators like Airbnb and VRBO must collect training certifications from hosts and confirm compliance with the North Carolina Department of Labor upon request.
Noncompliance may result in fines ranging from $500 to $2,000, with falsified records subject to further penalties under the state’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. For questions about training compliance, contact dol.humantraffickingcompliance@labor.nc.gov.
NCRLA encourages all members to get ahead of the mandate by accessing free training from BEST—Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking. BEST’s training is widely recognized as a national standard for hospitality and is proven to increase victim identification and reduce exploitation.
MEMBER SAVINGS PROGRAM
NCRLA Preferred Providers & Partners
Take advantage of these membership perks from NCRLA's partners.
Delivery & Technology Solutions
DoorDash is a technology company that connects people with the best in their cities.
Affordable electronic invoice payments and data solutions built for retailers who sell alcohol.
Cloud-based platform empowers your active team with voice technology, safety, and data.
Credit Card, Payroll, and Point-of-Sale
Credit card and payroll processing.
Streamline operations, accelerate growth, and provide guests with a first-class experience, in-house or online.
Cloud-based restaurant management platform that integrates point-of-sale, online ordering, payroll, and team management into one system.
Certifications & Training
Certifications & Training
Elevate your restaurant's success with exclusive savings on insights, tools, and training for NCRLA members.
NCRLA members receive 20% off ServSafe trainings and certifications.
Foodservice & Beverage
Butterball Foodservice offers chefs superior turkey products and exceptional customer service.
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.
AHLEI provides a range of resources, including online learning, professional certification, and educational materials for the hospitality industry.
BEST provides free prevention training for NCRLA members to disrupt human trafficking.
Workforce development and training for the hospitality leaders of tomorrow.
Pepsi Bottling Ventures is the largest independent Pepsi-Cola bottler in the nation, operating 12 production and distribution sites in NC. As NCRLA’s Born in the Carolina’s partner, they can help fill your beverage needs.
Shelton Vineyards remains one of the largest vineyards on the East Coast, serving as a new agricultural resource for an area once dependent on tobacco farming.
Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing, and distributing food products to restaurants, lodging establishments, and other customers who prepare meals away from home.
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.
MEMBER SAVINGS PROGRAM
Tax Credits & Lending Solutions
Adesso Capital is NCRLA's partner for lending solutions, Tip Tax Credit eligibility, and FFCRA tax credits for self-employed individuals.
Workers' Compensation
EMPLOYERS is the workers' compensation provider for NCRLA, offering a 5% discount on workers' compensation insurance and services through our network of independent insurance agents.
Legal Solutions
Specializing in Alcohol Legal Issues.
Experts in North Carolina retail, restaurant, and hospitality law.
Entertainment & Music Licensing
BMI makes it simple to use music in your bar, restaurant, or brewery. Save up to 20% on annual fees.
As North Carolina's amusement industry leader, Capital Games is at the forefront of the exciting Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) market.
Lucky Lincoln Gaming, LLC is a licensed Video Gaming Terminal Operator.
NCRLA members save up to 20% on your liquor liability policy with Hospitality Insurance and 5% on your Business Owner Policy.
Cleaning & Sanitation Suppliers
Provides cleaning and sanitation products and services to businesses in foodservice, food processing, and hospitality.
Cleaner, safer commercial kitchens are their mission.
Health & Wellness Benefits
Insurance People of NC will assess your situation and develop a comprehensive, cost-effective solution that fits your needs.
24/7 accessible health benefits for all hospitality employees regardless of fullor part-time status.
Marsh McLennan proudly offers a comprehensive suite of noninsurance benefits, designed to add significant value to your compensation package.
Tailor-made health plans for your business.
Marketing & Communications
Helping clients in the hospitality industry take their stories to the next level.
Hotel Performance Data
Global data benchmarking, analytics, & marketplace insights.
Member Moments
Proudly Recognizing North Carolina’s Hospitality Leaders
Trailborn Surf & Sound Open in Wrightsville Beach
Just in time for summer, one of the best-known hotels on the coast is back open with a new name and fresh approach. After hosting a ribbon-cutting in January, the former Blockade Runner Resort officially opened as the Trailborn Surf & Sound. The renovations include a new onsite restaurant called La Duna, which features Italian and Mediterranean fare. The redesigned Blockade Surf Bar adds a sense of nostalgia and history to the iconic spot. This is Trailborn’s fourth hotel and their first beachfront property.
New NCRLA Member Alpaca Chicken Expanding Across North Carolina
Chicken enthusiasts have been getting their fill of Peruvian chicken, as the family-owned Alpaca Chicken is looking to become a statewide phenomenon. Alpaca Chicken is currently in the midst of a considerable expansion throughout North Carolina, as the company has added or announced the addition of new locations in Mebane, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, Miami Boulevard in Durham, Wilson, and Southport over the past several months.
A Burnsville Landmark Begins a New Chapter
After years of meticulous restoration, the historic NuWray Hotel, North Carolina’s oldest continuously operating inn, has officially reopened, ushering in a new era for this cherished Burnsville landmark.
Originally constructed in 1833, a year before the town of Burnsville was founded, the NuWray Hotel has stood as a witness to nearly two centuries of history, including surviving the Civil War. Its most recent chapter began in 2021, when James and Amanda Keith purchased the property with a vision to return it to its former glory while preserving its deep-rooted heritage.
During the renovation, a remarkable discovery was made–a hidden, windowless room containing two vintage trunks filled with original family documents including wills, life insurance papers, diaries, and stock certificates. These treasures shed more light on the hotel's rich past.
Now fully restored, the NuWray Hotel blends historic charm with modern comfort, ensuring its legacy continues for generations to come. The final part of the transformation is the grand reopening of the NuWray Restaurant, now offering guests a taste of tradition in a beautifully reimagined setting.
Lexington Barbecue Named Best in North Carolina by Southern Living
A North Carolina barbecue institution is getting national recognition. Southern Living recently named Lexington Barbecue the best barbecue restaurant in the state, praising its iconic take on the Piedmont style. Founded by Wayne Monk in 1962 and now operated by his son Rick, the family-run restaurant has been serving pork shoulders smoked over oak and hickory for more than 60 years. The honor came from a reader poll highlighting top barbecue spots across the South. “It’s an essential example of the classic Piedmont North Carolina style,” wrote Southern Living barbecue editor Robert Moss, pointing to Lexington Barbecue’s signature tangy tomato-vinegar “dip,” red-tinged slaw, and crisp hushpuppies. The recognition is a proud moment for the Lexington community and a reminder of the deep roots of North Carolina’s barbecue heritage.
Grand Bohemian Hotel
Leading the Comeback in Biltmore Village
After extensive flooding from Hurricane Helene, the Grand Bohemian Asheville Lodge has reopened. The property is located in the heart of Biltmore Village, across from the entrance of the Biltmore Estate. It is the first major reopening in Biltmore Village since the storm brought devastating flooding along the Swannanoa River. Other restaurants and retailers in the area are planning to reopen soon, including the district’s Corner Kitchen, which is slated for July.
Pinehurst Resort Announces the Addition of Pinehurst Course No. 11
During an appearance on the Golf Channel’s Gary Williams’s “5 Clubs,” Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley announced that Pinehurst Course No. 11 is on the way. Set to be constructed at the Pinehurst Sandmines location in Aberdeen, this is the same area where Course No. 10 debuted in 2024. Renowned course designers Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, who famously restored Pinehurst No. 2 to Donald Ross’s original classical design, will lead the development of this latest addition. Construction is slated to begin later this year, with the course expected to open in fall 2027.
Photo: Pinehurst Resort
Did You Know?
Hospitality Industry News Bites
Millennials and Gen Z Choose Restaurants with Social Media
Less than a decade ago, consumers relied on Yelp and Google reviews to dictate their dining choices. Now, social media has become more influential with younger generations for restaurant recommendations. Public relations agency Belle Communication built a new communications tool, called Brilli, to tap into social media influencers and their engaged audiences to arm food and beverage brands with real-time consumer insights to help with trend forecasting, marketing strategies, and product development. Brilli surveyed 1,141 millennial and Gen Z followers of three food-focused social media content creators. According to the survey results, 73% of respondents said they visited a restaurant in the last three months because of a social media review they saw.
Brilli, a new communications tool from Belle Communications, taps into social media influencers and their audiences to arm food and beverage brands with real-time consumer insights.
NC Breaks Tourism Spending Record, Continues to Be #5 Most Visited State
Despite Hurricane Helene’s impact on western North Carolina last year, the overall North Carolina tourism economy held strong. Travelers spent more than $36.7 billion on trips to and within the state in 2024. The previous record of $35.6 billion was set in 2023. With nearly 40 million visitors from across the United States, North Carolina ranks No. 5 behind California, Florida, Texas, and New York in domestic visitation. The past four years have seen tight competition with Pennsylvania and Tennessee for fifth place. In addition to 2024’s record spending by domestic travelers, North Carolina also saw gains in the international market. With more than 900,000 international travelers, spending rose 16.5% to nearly $1.2 billion.
Digital Marketing Remains Top Priority for Restaurants
Digital marketing is at the top of restaurants’ tech wish list for a second straight year. That’s according to the newly published 2025 Restaurant Technology Outlook Report from Restaurant Business and Nation’s Restaurant News. The focus on digital marketing reflects the growth of things like loyalty programs and digital campaigns designed to get customers to visit more often.
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