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On the Radar: Latest Trends & Updates
Here, you'll find timely updates, industry insights, and exciting announcements about our association and the vibrant restaurant community we serve. Stay informed about upcoming events, important initiatives, and key developments that impact our industry. We’re thrilled to keep you connected and engaged with the latest happenings in the world of hospitality.
Latest News The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Fund (LRA WC) has appointed Dustin Hebert as its new General Manager. With over 20 years of experience and a family legacy in insurance, Hebert is well-prepared to lead the program’s continued growth and support Louisiana’s hospitality industry. Serving Louisiana’s Hospitality Industry Since 1982 Founded…
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Latest News How Digital Innovation is Reshaping Front and Back-of-House Operations Technology is transforming the restaurant industry, helping operators tackle rising labor costs and ongoing workforce shortages. These insights were presented in the State of the Restaurant Industry 2025 webinar by Hudson Riehle, SVP of Research and Knowledge, and Chad Moutray, VP of Research and…
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Latest News From Snacking to Sustainability, What Drives Younger Diners? Consumer habits are evolving rapidly, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the transformation of the restaurant industry. These insights were highlighted in the State of the Restaurant Industry 2025 webinar, presented by the National Restaurant Association. With these two generations now outnumbering Gen X and…
Read MoreLatest News On March 26, a proposed settlement agreement was announced requiring Visa and Mastercard to reduce swipe fees charged to restaurants and other merchants to process credit card transactions starting in April 2025. While this news is welcome, it merely provides temporary relief while allowing credit card companies to raise rates in the future.…
Latest News Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 What just happened: The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act has momentum coming into the Senate, following sweeping bipartisan votes in both the House tax committee (40 – 3) and on the floor (357 – 70). The Senate has an opportunity to…
Latest News In the realm of fine dining, a shadowy online marketplace has emerged, promising prime reservations at top-tier restaurants for exorbitant prices. Dubbed Appointment Trader, this platform has sparked outrage among restaurateurs and industry insiders alike, as it capitalizes on the scarcity of coveted dining experiences while leaving eateries in the lurch. Led by…
Latest News The LRA Education Foundation presented the Louisiana Seafood ProStart Invitational on March 6-7 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. ProStart is a two-year culinary arts and restaurant management curriculum in nearly 60 Louisiana high schools, with 2,000 juniors and seniors participating. Sixty-three percent of Louisiana’s ProStart program attended the Invitational. The Invitational…
Latest News The National Restaurant Association is assessing the implications of President Biden’s State of the Union address for the restaurant industry, paying close attention to key points that demand our attention. First, President Biden underscored his commitment to eliminating so-called “junk fees” throughout the U.S. economy. Why it matters: His administration is proposing a rule targeting “junk…
Latest News By Stan Harris CEO & president of the Louisiana Restaurant Association This piece was a guest column in the Beltway Beat by LaPolitics, part of the State Affairs network, February 28, 2024. Louisianians love celebrations, and each of these occasions-be it a birthday, anniversary, or the opening of football season-involves our world-famous cuisine. The heritage…
Latest News The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) Board of Directors, through its Scholarship Fund, will award $60,000 in scholarships to 17 students. The LRAEF Scholars will be honored on March 6 during the annual “Serving the Future-Celebrating Careers in Hospitality” presented by Ecolab event in New Orleans. The LRAEF Scholarship Fund was created…
Latest News Chef Patron E.J. Lagasse Keynote Speaker at ProStart Awards The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation proudly presents the Louisiana Seafood ProStart Invitational March 6-7, 2024, at the Morial Convention Center, Hall J. ProStart is a two-year culinary arts and restaurant management curriculum offered to juniors and seniors in nearly 60 high schools in Louisiana.…
Latest News In comments they call the proposal unwarranted and unlawful, and highlight significant unintended consequences for consumers In comments submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding its Unfair or Deceptive Fees Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the National Restaurant Association and the Restaurant Law Center (Law Center) called for the Commission to exclude the…
Latest News In every industry, there are unsung heroes whose dedication and commitment shape the landscape from behind the scenes. Alan Guilbeau, 2024’s newly appointed Chair of the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA), is one such individual whose remarkable journey in consumer products, food service, and distribution has left an indelible mark on Louisiana’s culinary community.…