At Your Service, Fall 2020

AT YOUR

Official Magazine of North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association

SERVICE Inside Count On Me NC NCRLA leads the charge to restart hospitality

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PLUS NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund

Fall Legislative Update The fight for hospitality heats up

The Road Back Fall 2020, Vol. 9, Issue 3 NCRLA.org

Feel better. Be well.

Take care of your team.

UnitedHealthcare offers exclusive members-only pricing and benefits, including: • Medical coverage • Dental and vision insurance • Disability, life and critical illness insurance

Contact your broker today or visit us at restauranthealthcare.org for more information.

Benefits and programs may not be available in all states or for all group sizes. Components subject to change.

These plans have exclusions and limitations. Contact your UnitedHealthcare broker or the company for more details.

Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates. Health Plan coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina, Inc. ©2020 United HealthCare Services, Inc.

Contents 10

NCRLA EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STEVE THANHAUSER, CHAIR Angus Barn, Ltd. PATRICK AIELLO Ecolab

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JIM BELEY The Umstead Hotel & Spa TOM PASHLEY Pinehurst Resort ANDY CLARK US Foods DAN FREELAND Concord Hospitality Enterprises PHIL FRIEDMAN Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina TIM GOSS Firehouse Subs JOEL GRIFFIN Griffin Stafford Hospitality, LLC

13 Features 11

13

NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund Donor Spotlight

Fall Legislative Update

Count On Me NC is Putting Restaurants Back to Work

Latest news from the North Carolina General Assembly

How NCRLA’s public safety initiative is helping restart hospitality in NC

In Every Issue 6

The Road Back Letter from NCRLA Chair Steve Thanhauser and President & CEO Lynn Minges

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

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Benefits of Membership How NCRLA gives your business a competitive advantage 4

At Your Service | Fall 2020

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

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BURNEY JENNINGS Biscuitville Fresh Southern RUSS JONES Davidson & Jones

10 Recognizing those who gave $1.3 Million+ for hospitality workers

DORIS HUEBNER F & D Huebner, LLC

À la Carte A sampler of hospitality-related news stories

SCOTT MAITLAND Top of the Hill Restaurant, Brewery & Distillery AMBER MOSHAKOS LM Restaurants AKSHAT PATEL, EX-OFFICIO Comfort Inn – Choice Hotels NISHITH “NISH” PATEL Beacon IMG, Inc. SHAUNAK PATEL Parks Hospitality Group VINAY PATEL SREE Hotels, LLC GONZA SALAMANCA Gonza Tacos Y Tequila TOM SASSER Burke Hospitality BILLY SEWELL Platinum Corral, LLC JASON SMITH 18 Restaurant Group CHARLES THOMPSON The Inn on Biltmore Estate LANCE TRENARY Golden Corral Corporation

Thank You to Our Corporate Sponsors

Corporate Sponsors 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

PLATINUM

TITANIUM

SILVER

GOLD

View our Corporate Sponsorship opportunities at NCRLA.org

t e G iced! t o N

Place your brand in NCRLA’s At Your Service, In the Mix, View from Jones Street, and more.

Be seen by foodservice establishments and lodging properties across the state, as well as a vast network of suppliers, purveyors, educators, and hospitality leaders.

Contact Margo Metzger at mmetzger@ncrla.org to learn more.

Fall 2020 | At Your Service

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The Road Back It has been over six months since North Carolina first declared a state of emergency, closed businesses, and restricted non-essential travel in response to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. For those of us in the hospitality industry, it seems like a lifetime.

Although we had never faced such a catastrophic event, NCRLA immediately put up a fight.

We quickly won several victories, including keeping North Carolina’s restaurants open for take-out and delivery, and securing financial aid for hospitality businesses devastated by the shutdown. Through the NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund, NCRLA raised approximately $1.3 million to support displaced members of North Carolina’s hospitality family.

Leading the charge to reopen restaurant dining rooms, NCRLA developed and implemented a nationally recognized hospitality training program. Count On Me NC prepares restaurant owners, operators, and employees to safely operate during COVID-19.

Our ground-breaking effort factored heavily in Governor Cooper’s decision to reopen North Carolina’s restaurant dining rooms on May 22.

Today, even though we still face the threat of COVID-19 and several state-mandated NCRLA continues our restrictions remain in place, NCRLA continues to fight. We have been working day and night outreach and meetings with with policy makers at all levels of government to members of congress to ensure that North Carolina’s hospitality industry is heard. ensure that they are aware At the top of our priorities list is reopening of the dire challenges North meeting and event venues for larger gatherings.

Carolina’s restaurant and The NCRLA team collaborated with national hotel brands and several of our state’s hotel and event lodging industry still faces... venue partners to develop proposed guidance that we subsequently presented to Governor Cooper and his team. We are continuing to push the governor to allow hotels and event venues to open meeting spaces with appropriate social distancing and safety protocols in place. We also continue to push for bars to be allowed to reopen safely. Thanks to your help, we have generated more than 1,300 emails to Gov. Cooper designed to help reopen North Carolina hospitality businesses.

At the federal level, NCRLA continues our outreach and meetings with members of congress to ensure that they are aware of the dire challenges North Carolina’s restaurant and lodging industry still faces along with the continuing need for relief and support. We have joined forces with our partners at the National Restaurant Association, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, AAHOA, and the US Travel Association to push congress for increased assistance. We are actively urging them to pass measures to help the short- and long-term survival of the restaurant and lodging industry, including a dedicated recovery fund, a second round of PPP, long-term loan programs, targeted tax relief, and important administrative reforms that can provide relief.

While it is always important for the hospitality industry to participate in the political process, this year’s election may very well determine how much support restaurants and hotels will continue to receive from state and federal lawmakers. There are several ways you can make a significant difference. First, encourage your employees to register to vote. Educate your employees about candidates in your district and where they stand on issues that relate to hospitality. Finally, don’t forget to open and read the news alerts from NCRLA. We’ll be sharing important details on the candidates and the issues — and providing ways for you to take action. At the end of the day, our actions will help determine hospitality’s future.

Lynn Minges NCRLA President & CEO 6

At Your Service | Fall 2020

Steve Thanhauser NCRLA Board Chair

At Your Service Volume 9, Issue 3 An official publication of the NC Restaurant & Lodging Association © 2020 STAFF President & CEO LYNN D. MINGES Chief Operating Officer/ Membership Development/ Health and Safety Regulations/ ALYSSA BARKLEY, IOM Director of Government Affairs ISABEL VILLA-GARCIA Director of Communications MARGO METZGER Database Manager & Membership Coordinator NATALIE COX Special Events & Projects Manager LAURA HAYDEN General Counsel & Lobbyist FRANK GRAY 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 Director of Communications MARGO METZGER at mmetzger@ NCRLA.org.

Published by Farlow+Co, LLC

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

SAVE THE DATE! OUR Y T NO NARY I ORD

Manteo to Murphy PAC Fundraiser

Monday, October 19 5:00-6:30 PM

Register at ncrla.org/events Zoom link to virtual event shared with ticket purchase

Door Prizes Include:

VIP Pinehurst Weekend with Golf & Spa Tiny House Getaway at River & Twine Angus Barn Wine and Gift Basket Virtual Cooking Experience with Chef Jason Smith Beaufort Hotel Package 100,000 American Airlines Miles More to come!

Under North Carolina law, we are required to report the name, mailing address, employer and job title of any individual who contributes more than $50 to the NRA or NCRLA Political Action Committee in any election cycle. The law requires that contributions to the PAC be made by individuals, not by corporations. Personal, partnership and sole proprietorship donations to the Restaurant PAC are permitted.

Corporate donations are prohibited by federal law. Contributions to the Restaurant PAC are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are used for political purposes and are voluntary.

You may decline to contribute without reprisal. Proposed contribution amounts are merely suggestions, and you may contribute more or less or not at all. The National Restaurant Association will not favor or disadvantage anyone by reason of the amount contributed or the decision not to contribute. Federal law requires political committees to report the name, address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year.

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

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

Allied Coastal Beverage Company, Farmville

• InTown Suites Extended Stay Charlotte — University

Restaurants

Lumberton Visitors Bureau, Lumberton

• InTown Suites Extended Stay Garner

Truffletopia, Pittsboro

• InTown Suites Extended Stay Greensboro — Lanada, Greensboro

COUP2012, LLC Jimmy John’s, Greenville

SmartFinancials.net, Cincinnati Spectrum Enterprise, Charlotte Western Business Solutions, Asheville Lodging InTown Suites Management, LLC, Atlanta, GA • InTown Suites Extended Stay Charlotte — Albemarle • InTown Suites Extended Stay Charlotte — East Independence • InTown Suites Extended Stay Charlotte — North Tryon • InTown Suites Extended Stay Charlotte — Pressley Rd

• InTown Suites Extended Stay Greensboro — Americhase, Greensboro • InTown Suites Extended Stay Greenville • InTown Suites Extended Stay High Point • InTown Suites Extended Stay Kannapolis • InTown Suites Extended Stay Matthews — East Independence • InTown Suites Extended Stay Matthews — Indian Trail • InTown Suites Extended Stay Raleigh

Ashten’s Restaurant, Southern Pines Farmhouse Café, Wendell Green River BBQ, Saluda Inlet View Bar & Grill, Shallotte Local Roots & Provisions, Lincolnton Pinetop Sport Club, Greensboro The Redneck BBQ Lab, Benson The Scorpio, Charlotte The Merrimon-Wynne House, Raleigh Toonez Chophouse, Marion Tra’Li Irish Pub, Raleigh Treat, Morganton

• Uptown Suites Extended Stay Charlotte — Concord

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At Your Service | Fall 2020

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THANK YOU

for Helping Hospitality Workers!

In March, NCRLA established the NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund to provide immediate financial assistance to the tens of thousands of cooks, servers, dishwashers, housekeepers, and others who have had to live paycheck-to-paycheck due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the dedication and support of the donors below, we have raised approximately $1.3 million to support North Carolina’s hospitality workers.

Thrive/Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC

Brewery Bhavana

Brooks Bell and Jesse Lipson

Burney Jennings

Coastal Credit Union Foundation

Kellie Falk

Truist

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Grant

Duke Energy Foundation

Theresa Phillips

Interfaith Food Shuttle

Committee to Elect Dan Forest

Bank of America

Sandra Hoskins

Russ Jones, Seby Jones Foundation

Elizabeth Turner

Healy Distributing

Wicked Weed

Emily Ballard: Porch Project

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Austin Chappell

EMPLOYERS

CityPlat

TSYS

James and Mary Leatherberry Foundation

Asheville Strong

Grubb Management

NC Spirits Association

Gabrielle Bratton

Sunday Supper

Horn & Heel

Investors Management/Child Trust (Lance Trenary)

Duncan Stephenson

Charles Purvis

George Smedes Poyner Foundation

Diane Satriano

Stephanie Cornell

The Hunter and Erica Heniser Charitable Fund of the Ayco Charitable Foundation Red Hat Noreen Allen Tara Baird Lisa Salzman Maggie Handest Raleigh Wine Shop Rush Hour Karting Steve Thanhauser Michael Forno James McManus Associa Cares, Inc. Abbey Wood Kelly Soderberg Triangle Community Foundation Kate Brandon Sutton and James E. Sutton Cambridge & Associates Southern Plated

Brad Bankos: East Cut Sandwich

Whole Foods

Better Place Fund of Triangle Community Foundation

Whitley Law Firm

Republic National Distributing

Parker Bryan Family Law

Heaven Hill, Inc

Cecile Noel c/o The Noel Foundation

Pacific Western

Brown Forman

NC Alcoholic Beverage Control Law Enforcement Officers Association

Raleigh Art Gal: Elizabeth Altenau

Tri-Arc

UDM Systems

Long Beverage

Raleigh Denim Person Street Pharmacy 10 At Your Service | Fall 2020

Biscuitville/Springer Mountain Farms

Fall Legislative Update NCRLA Meets with US Department of Commerce

NCRLA leaders and members from the Charlotte area met with US Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on June 4 at The Ballantyne Hotel. Congressman Richard Hudson also attended the session.

Secretary Ross requested the meeting in order to better understand the state of the hospitality industry. The in-depth discussion covered PPP, CMBS loans, the NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund, unemployment, and liability protections.

Secretary Ross expressed optimism about the economic recovery of North Carolina and the US.

Liability Relief Bill Signed by Governor Cooper

NCRLA has been fighting for further liability protections for businesses as they reopen to the public during COVID-19.

One of the first pieces of legislation was

a liability protection bill that covered restaurants, hotels, and other essential businesses, but only through the time of the state of emergency. NCRLA worked to extend these provisions for an additional six months after the state of emergency is lifted. NC House Bill 118: COVID-19 Liability Safe Harbor also extends immunity protections beyond essential businesses to protect all businesses, nonprofits, and individuals from unwarranted and excessive COVID-19 litigation. A business must provide reasonable notice to customers what steps they are taking to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Immunity does not apply if the business is guilty of gross negligence or willful misconduct. NCRLA worked with a coalition of business groups to develop this legislation and build support for the bill. NCRLA thanks Senator Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus/Union) for his leadership as primary sponsor of this legislation.

Meals Tax Collection Delivery Bill Becomes Law

Third-party delivery services such as UberEats are now required to collect and remit sales and any local meals taxes in North Carolina. Prior to this law, most services were collecting sales taxes, but refusing to remit. House Bill 1080: Revenue Laws Recommendations passed and was signed by Governor Cooper. This bill contains many revenue law changes, including one that was pushed by NCRLA.

Workers Compensation Amendment Attempt Fails

Rep. Darren Jackson, NC House Democratic Leader, sought to amend SB 805 to include a pandemic infection as an occupational condition for which a workers compensation claim could be filed by infected employees. The amendment would have also provided $75 million in federal COVID funds to Fall 2020 | At Your Service

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to relay the impact that the restrictions had on the ability of businesses to survive. Fortunately, we were able to stop Asheville’s restriction before it began and we succeeded in convincing Charlotte to roll back their restrictions to align with the state mandate. We continue to work to push Orange County to align with the state.

Governor Cooper Signs Next COVID-19 Relief Package

the Industrial Commission to pay claims filed by employees. House Speaker Tim Moore ruled the amendment out of order. The legislation was referred to the Appropriations Committee for consideration, but ultimately failed to gain traction. NCRLA advocated against the amendment due to the immense burden this would place on businesses having to prove that contraction was not done at the place of business.

VisitNC Receives $15 Million in Marketing Funds and $1.5 Million in Tourism Grants

The NC General Assembly included an additional $1.45 billion in federal COVID-19 funding in HB 1023. Of these funds, another $10 million was provided to VisitNC for tourism marketing. A new program of $1.5 million for tourism grants was allocated to EDPNC to promote areas of the state that are the most dependent on travel and tourism. NCRLA fought for this funding in order to increase tourism to and within North Carolina.

NCRLA Lobbies for RESTAURANTS Act

NCRLA joined the National Restaurant Association and the Independent Restaurant Coalition in advocating for dedicated federal funding for restaurants that have been devastated by COVID-19 closures. Congress has yet to pass a third COVID-19 relief package. NCRLA will continue to fight for dedicated funding at 12 At Your Service | Fall 2020

both the federal and state levels to help the hospitality industry.

NCRLA Won Protections Against Face Covering Requirements for Businesses

When Governor Cooper enacted a statewide face-covering mandate in June, businesses were considered responsible for ensuring that their customers complied with this mandate. NCRLA quickly pushed Gov. Cooper’s office to amend this requirement, explaining the negative impact that it would have on restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. Thanks to NCRLA’s efforts, Gov. Cooper’s office released a sign that could be placed on the doors of businesses to ensure compliance with the requirement and lift the enforcement burden on businesses.

NCRLA Pushes Back Stricter Alcohol Sales Laws in Charlotte and Asheville

While Governor Cooper limited alcohol sales statewide to 11:00 pm, local governments across North Carolina considered even earlier cutoffs. Charlotte passed a 10:00 pm cutoff time and did not allow the use of bar seating. Asheville proposed cutting off alcohol sales at 9:00 pm and Orange County limited sales until 10:00 pm. These restrictions are not only cumbersome, but have an enormously detrimental impact on the already limited sales of restaurants. NCRLA worked with these local governments

The legislature returned at the end of August for a two-day session to vote on HB 1105 Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 that spent the remainder of the federal CARES Act funding. This bill allocated nearly $1 billion and includes $440 million to provide $335 grants to parents for extra expenses due to schooling their children at home. The remainder of the funds were spent primarily on medical and education needs. The bill included an additional second round of funding for a $60.5 million grant program to support small businesses and nonprofits impacted

by COVID-19. This Job Retention Grant Program, designed to help businesses with 20 or fewer employees, includes

a requirement that businesses and nonprofits must have retained 90 percent of their workforce during COVID-19.

Despite efforts by NCRLA to get this worker retention provision removed, the bill passed on September 3. NCRLA explained to lawmakers that those businesses most adversely impacted — including restaurants, small inns, bars, and others — that were forced to close or scale back operations during COVID-19 were unable to retain workers and are unfairly excluded from the grant program.

COUNT ON ME NC UPDATE: Inside NCRLA’s Nationally Recognized Training Program

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When Governor Roy Cooper announced his plans for a phased reopening of North Carolina on April 23, the NCRLA team had already been hard at work for weeks developing Count On Me NC, a COVID-19 training program. Our goal was to safely open restaurants, hotels, and other public-facing businesses while reassuring guests that they would be protected by the most stringent safety protocols available. We launched the innovative public health initiative on May 18 — heavily influencing Gov. Cooper’s decision to reopen North Carolina’s restaurant dining rooms just four days later. Since then, more than 13,000 restaurants and other businesses have safely reopened with help from Count On Me NC. A BROAD COALITION

In order to develop the most effective and universally endorsed reopening program possible, NCRLA joined forces with several hospitality industry leaders, academic partners, and state officials. The coalition included the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), NC State Extension, and Visit North Carolina, among others.

NCRLA worked closely with experts from the NCDHHS Food Protection and Facilities Branch, Visit NC and NC State Extension Safe Plates Program to create training materials and establish a rigorous content development and review process that ensures the program’s guidelines are consistent with all scientifically accepted standards.

COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING

Count On Me NC is a voluntary, evidence-based COVID-19 training program. It provides specific guidance to restaurants, hotels, attractions, and other businesses for protecting employees and guests from the COVID-19 coronavirus.

We developed five customized training modules, including Owner/Operator/Manager, Front of House (FOH), Back of House (BOH), Cleaning Staff, and General Business. The training modules offer a consistent approach to safety and sanitation based on state and national guidelines. To provide the most comprehensive coverage possible, we recently launched a Spanish version of each of the Count On Me NC training modules.

SPREADING THE WORD

Since the initial launch, NCRLA and our partners have been heavily promoting Count On Me NC to all of North Carolina’s restaurants, hotels, and other public-facing businesses. Businesses that complete the training are listed on the CountOnMeNC.org website and receive a printable certificate to display. They can use the Count On Me NC logo 14 At Your Service | Fall 2020

in their marketing efforts, and they have access to a variety of promotional materials, including videos. Customized merchandise, such as face masks and floor decals, is available for purchase.

We have also supported Count On Me NC with a consumer marketing and public relations campaign to help customers recognize that participating establishments are committed to the highest levels of sanitation and guest safety during COVID-19. Our partners at Visit NC launched a $10 million multi-channel consumer media effort that includes television, radio, social media, and print advertising. The campaign is scheduled to run through the end of the year.

A companion public relations component encourages consumers to join the effort to keep everyone safe with a Guest Pledge. The campaign directs consumers to look for certificates and Count On Me NC logos for assurance that a business has completed the voluntary, no-cost training.

LEADING THE CHARGE

To date, approximately 14,500 individuals in North Carolina have received Count On Me NC training. More than 60,000 courses have been completed with 13,000 businesses participating. The consumer marketing campaign has generated an astonishing 1.5 billion media impressions.

Across the country, hospitality associations and industry leaders have taken note of North Carolina’s success and followed NCRLA’s lead. Together, we will continue working hard to put our state’s and our nation’s hospitality businesses back to work.

BY T H E N U M B E R S

14,500

individuals have taken the trainings

59,000

COURSES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED

13,000

unique participating businesses

1.5 billion media impressions Supported by $10 million consumer ad campaign

50 webinars promoting the trainings

$10 million marketing campaign launched by our partner Visit NC Fall 2020 | At Your Service

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WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COVERAGE AS VAST AS THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS EMPLOYERS is committed to helping the owners and operators of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) manage their risks and keep their businesses running smoothly.

As the trusted and preferred workers’ compensation carrier by the NCRLA, we offer operator members long terms savings through proven services such as efficient claim handling, fraud prevention, and loss control support.*

A few more program benefits: • Cash Flow Assistance — we offer flexible payment plans and low minimum premiums to help your clients manage their cash flow more effectively.

• Efficient Claim Handling — our 24/7 multi-lingual claims reporting center executes prompt service to injured workers while our Claim Adjusters help control costs by working with physicians to evaluate care. ° Injured Employee Hotline — a hotline that is available to policyholders 24/7 and is staffed by registered nurses specially trained to provide medical guidance over the phone for new work-related injuries or illnesses. ® ° InsurCard — reloadable debit card for workers’ compensation benefit payments. Injured employees can get a cash disbursement at a bank teller, transfer money to their own bank account, and use the card at ATMs or at merchants wherever debit Mastercard® is accepted.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Alyssa Barkley with the NCRLA at 919-844-7883 or abarkley@ncrla.org.

For more information on North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association membership, visit their website at www.ncrla.org. *Subject to EMPLOYERS underwriting guidelines. NCRLA membership does not guarantee insurance coverage.

Copyright © 2020 EMPLOYERS. EMPLOYERS® and America’s small business insurance specialist® are 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.

Significant savings on services your business uses every day.

COMPLIMENTARY NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP Receive benefits offered through the National Restaurant Association, including industry trends, services, and more. Call 800-424-5156 or visit Restaurant.org/Membership/Tools-Solutions.

FOOD SAFETY & ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING Nationally recognized and accredited foodservice sanitation, alcohol server, and allergen training for managers and employees.

20% discount on all ServSafe products.

Call 919-844-0098 or visit NCRLA.org/servsafe-certification-courses.

DISASTER RELIEF INCENTIVES AND FEDERAL HIRING INCENTIVES Did your business lose revenue, products, or experience inadequate shift coverage because of Hurricane Florence? Then you may be eligible to earn up to $2,400 for each employee retained. Synergipartners.com/ncrla

WORKER'S COMPENSATION EMPLOYERS is the Provider of Choice for NCRLA. They offer low minimum premiums for all NCRLA members, including flexible and affordable payment plans.

Employers.com/employers-advantage/partnerships/north-carolinarestaurant-and-lodging-association

BUSINESS DISCOUNTS WITH AHLA NCRLA members who elect to join American Hotel and Lodging Association receive exclusive discounts on staffing solutions through Hcareers, STR reports, music licensing, and more. Call 202-289-3100 or visit AHLA.com to access research, statistics, and cost-saving solutions.

STR Exclusive discounts on various customizable regional reports and industry profiles, including the STR Report.

Call 615-824-8664 or visit STR.com.

CREDIT & DEBIT CARD PROCESSING/ PAYROLL SERVICES Benefit from payment processing solutions, loyalty programs, fair pricing, and more. Plus, enjoy superior service that’s available 24/7 with the most reliable data security solution in the country.

Call 888-963-3600 or visit HeartlandPaymentSystems.com.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT/TRAINING Workforce development and training solutions to help meet your needs.

Mentorships and job placements are available. Call 919-844-0098 or visit NCRLA.org/foundation/prostart.

CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Class Action Capital specializes in the early identification of class action settlement opportunities for restaurant and hotels. Learn more at 914-200-0020 or ClassActionCapital.com/ncrla.

HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS Get easy access to healthcare coverage and other valuable resources and tools. Receive an exclusive 5% discount on group health plans. Call 301-865-7058 or visit UHCTogether.com/forms/NCRLA/form41146.gsp.

STAFFING SOLUTIONS Receive a 20% discount on the AHLA Career Center, powered by Hcareers, the nation’s leading hospitality job board. Visit AHLA.com and click “Career Development.”

LIQUOR LIABILITY INSURANCE Restaurants, bars, and taverns, receive 20% off your liquor liability insurance with Hospitality Insurance Group (HIG). Keep your local insurance agent or use one of theirs. Visit HMIC.com and click on the contact tab, or call 508-366-1140.

STREAMLINED ALCOHOL PAYMENTS Simplify alcohol purchase payments, ensure compliance, and track purchase data securely with Fintech. 50% off setup fees and ongoing preferred pricing. Visit go.fintech.com/NorthCarolinaRLA.

MUSIC LICENSING 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 888-689-5264 or visit BMI.com.

REBATES ON RESTAURANT SUPPLIES Leverage Dining Alliance's buying power to negotiate chain-like supplier contracts and get rebates on items you already buy. With $9.5 Billion in buying power, 350+ manufacturer contracts, and 165K+ rebated line items, join the largest restaurant GPO in the US. Contact us at info@NCRLA.org to learn more.

222 NORTH PERSON ST, SUITE 210 | RALEIGH, NC 27601 | 919.844.0098 | NCRLA.ORG

Member Moments Proudly Recognizing North Carolina’s Hospitality Leaders

Charlotte Chef Luca Annunziata Wins Food Network’s “Chopped” Luca Annunziata, Executive Chef of forchetta in Charlotte, won an episode of Food Network’s Chopped, which aired on June 30.

Chef Luca has been the recipient of many awards, including the Zagat Platinum Award for Excellence as well as Passion8’s “Top 25 Best Restaurants in Charlotte” from Charlotte Magazine. His Polpettine di Agnello and Fagottini won Taste of Charlotte Awards for Caffe Siena and forchetta.

AAHOA Recognizes Former NCRLA Chair Vinay Patel

Former NCRLA Chair Vinay Patel was honored by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association during the 2020 Virtual Convention and Trade Show.

AAHOA recognized selected members for their achievements and contributions to the hospitality industry in 2019.

Patel received the Political Forum Award for Advocacy for his extensive involvement in helping advance AAHOA’s mission and the interests of its members by participating in the legislative process through political involvement and government affairs.

The Angus Barn is Honored by Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator magazine recently released its list of 2020 Restaurant Award winners, honoring the best wine service in the industry. Several NC restaurants were recognized this year, but only one took home a coveted Grand Award — The Angus Barn in Raleigh. Wine Spectator stated, “The Angus Barn’s vibe is both rural and refined. Behind the red barn doors, guests find a mouthwatering selection of steak-house staples and world-class wines.”

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No Kid Hungry NC, Carolina Hunger Initiative Support Children During COVID-19

Nationwide, families who rely on school meals for breakfast and lunch are worried about feeding their children. In North Carolina, No Kid Hungry NC is helping to reduce that stress. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, No Kid Hungry NC has expanded their efforts under the Carolina Hunger Initiative, a new umbrella organization. The Carolina Hunger Initiative is partnering with NCDPI on the “NC Restaurants Feeding Kids Initiative” to connect restaurants with school districts and community organizations that operate federal nutrition programs. The nutrition programs can use federal reimbursements to purchase meals from the restaurants and serve them for free to children. In April, the Carolina Hunger Initiative made news headlines when their support of the restaurant initiative resulted in a partnership with NCRLA member Golden Corral in Jacksonville. At that time, the partnership provided approximately 3,000 free meals each day to children in the community.

One Green Planet Recognizes Mozzarella Fellas in Winston-Salem

Many restaurants have changed or altered their business plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have added entire vegan menus, while others have transitioned completely to vegan. One Green Planet recently recognized Mozzarella Fellas in Winston-Salem for making the vegan jump. Mozzarella Fellas owner, Brian Ricciardi says, “It’s what I’m passionate about, so I’m taking a leap of faith.”

22 North Dining and Spirits Supports Bars While They Are Closed Jim Radle, owner of 22 North Dining and Spirits, is supporting neighboring bars that have been forced to remain closed during Phase Two by buying merchandise from each bar for his employees to wear as their uniforms. 22 North employees ditched their typical t-shirts and are now wearing gear from Jimmy’s, Red Dogs, Palm Room, and Lagerheads Tavern. Radle also plans to purchase gift cards to these businesses to give to his customers to use at the bars once they are permitted to reopen.

DISCOVER Awards $25,000 to Saltbox Seafood Joint

The Saltbox Seafood Joint restaurants in Durham recently received DISCOVER’s $25,000 #EatItForward award. The #EatItForward social media campaign celebrates black-owned restaurants and will award a total of $5 Million over the course of 17 weeks. “We are incredibly grateful to DISCOVER for recognizing black-owned restaurants like ours during this challenging time, and so thankful to all of our fans who cheered us on with their nominations week after week,” said Chef Ricky Moore, North Carolina’s seafood evangelist and owner of the popular Saltbox Seafood Joint. “Our community has always supported us passionately, and these last few months, we’ve especially felt the love, but there is no denying the uncertainty that still lies ahead during this pandemic and the impact this financial infusion will have on our short- and long-term success.”

Share Your Moments We want to share your stories of helping others as well as your successes! Please send the details of your team doing good in the community or any recent awards and recognition that you or your company has received to Margo Metzger at mmetzger@ncrla.org. We’ll do our best to include them in an upcoming “Member Moments.”

22 At Your Service | Fall 2020

À La Carte

A sampler of hospitality news stories

National Restaurant Association Releases Blueprint for Revival Using the results of a recent survey that identified the restaurant industry’s priorities, the National Restaurant Association created the Blueprint for Restaurant Revival. The 10-page document outlines all the steps necessary for a full restaurant industry recovery. It represents a strong, far-reaching plan for how Congress can advance restaurants in every city and town. The many recommendations include: • Creating a Restaurant Recovery Fund • Enacting a second round of PPP application eligibility • Making PPP loans tax deductible • Establishing a long-term loan program beyond PPP • Expanding the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) Learn more and see the full Blueprint for Revival at NCRLA.Help.

AHLA Declares National Day of Action to Save Industry The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) declared Wednesday, July 29 “Save Hotel Jobs,” a National Day of Action for hoteliers across the country to urge lawmakers to pass additional stimulus relief. AHLA and NCRLA urged members to flood congressional offices with more than 100,000 actions, including calls, letters, and social media posts. The event followed a survey of AHLA members that showed nearly nine in 10 hotels have been forced to lay off or furlough employees due to COVID-19 and the resulting drop in travel. Of the more than 600 hotel owner respondents, more than half stated that they are in danger of losing their property to foreclosure by commercial real estate lenders.

Independent Restaurant Coalition Enlists Morgan Freeman to Help Push RESTAURANTS Act The Independent Restaurant Coalition teamed up with Morgan Freeman and Andrew Zimmern’s Intuitive Content on a new ad pressing Congress to include the RESTAURANTS Act, which would provide support for independent restaurants and bars, in COVID-19 relief efforts. The ad aired on national cable and in select local markets throughout the first week of August. “Without your help, our favorite places to eat will be gone — forever.”

NCRLA Hosts Virtual ProStart Conference The NCRLA team hosted the 2020 Virtual CTE Summer Conference NC ProStart Session on July 17. A group of more than 50 educators from across North Carolina participated in the online event. The CTE session featured: •U pdate on the National ProStart Program •O verview of NC ProStart Program, including new curriculum • Count On Me NC updates •C ooking demos from 2018 NCRLA Chef of the Year and ProStart Mentor Travis Myers •C OVID-19 safety and sanitation guidance from the NCSU Department of Agriculture and Human Sciences •N C ProStart Invitational Judges panel discussion Fall 2020 | At Your Service

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Sysco is committed to supporting our customers, and we’re working tirelessly to provide you with the information, tools, and products you need to stay current in this rapidly evolving market.

As restrictions and local mandates are lifted and operators are allowed to slowly reopen their dining rooms, Sysco is hard at work developing resources and solutions to help our customers ease back into full-service operations and return to the community

#FoodserviceStrong

Please visit foodie.sysco.com to learn more about how Sysco can help!