Here’s a look at last week’s hospitality news headlines.
Several states announced relaxed restaurant regulations that will enable more indoor dining capacity. The new orders bring many states’ restaurants to 50% of normal capacity, doubling the capacity they were allowed during the summer. Beginning September 30, New York will allow indoor dining for the first time since the original shut down in March.
Restaurant employee safety and welfare continues to be a primary concern in last week’s headlines. Unprecedented employment in the hospitality industry continues with mixed expectations for the near-term future. And don’t miss the National Restaurant Association’s resources for employee safety via their ServSafe food safety training and certification program.
Our Customers and Partners:
- Virgin Hotels Las Vegas Announces Restaurant Partners [Restaurant News Resource]
Virgin Hotels, has announced it’s latest roster of restaurant partners including the renowned and recently refreshed Nobu, an Avero customer, James Beard award-winning chef Todd English’s Olives, Kassi Beach Club, and Hakkasan Group’s Casa Calavera.
News:
- Restaurant Owners Growing Restless With Disparate State Opening Plans [Restaurant Dive]
California and New Jersey have announced a return to limited dining-room service. Both states are allowing restaurants to resume at 25%, though in CA, the order only applies to select counties. New York has promised to release a reopening plan later this month. - NYC to Allow Indoor Dining in Milestone on Recovery From Pandemic [The New York Times]
Governor Cuomo announced that restaurants can reopen in-door dining at 25% capacity beginning September 30. Restaurants say the plan will allow them to rehire additional workers which will help reduce the 20% unemployment rate. - Pennsylvania Restaurants Can Double Dining Capacity with Online Certification
[Restaurant Dive]
Beginning Sept. 21, restaurants can double their dining capacity from 25 % to 50% if they obtain an online certification and pledge to follow safety guidelines. Due to higher virus positivity rates, Philadelphia is exempted from the program for now. - Hurricane Isias’ Impact on Restaurant Sales Hint at What to Expect This Winter
[Restaurant Dive]
Power outages and stormy weather caused by Hurricane Isias made a significant impact on East Coast restaurant sales in early August. With restaurants largely relying on outdoor dining during Covid-19 restrictions, the hurricane is a precursor to this coming winter.
Technology:
- Bay Area-based Virtual Kitchen Raises $20M [Restaurant Dive]
Virtual Kitchen, founded by former Uber executives raised $20M in capital, bringing the total funding raised to date at over $37M. This is the latest news in a fast-growing ghost/guest kitchen industry expected to be worth $1 trillion globally by 2030. - Top Women in Restaurant Technology: Innovator Rolls Out Money Making LTO
[Hospitality Technology]
Ten women were awarded as the Top Women In Restaurant Technology. The Hospitality Technology awards, sponsored by Tillster, bring attention to women leading new innovations at technology companies like BentoBox, Revel Systems, and Toast and F&B brands like Chipotle Mexican Grill and Taco Bell.
Trends:
- National Food Safety Month Resonates With Restaurants During Covid-19
[Restaurant News Resource]
The National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe food safety training and certification program turns 30 this year. This year’s campaign takes place over a 5-week period with downloadable tips and activities and focuses on Covid-19 safety procedures. - Today’s New Employee Safety Culture is Benefiting Hotel Workers, Guests in Big Ways [Hospitality Net]
Hotel employees are safer than ever thanks to new policies and technologies designed to limit contact with guests and curb the spread of disease. No touch technology, heightened cleaning programs, and mobile employee safety devices are central to the upgrade. - US Restaurant Employment Recovery is in Danger of Stalling
[Restaurant News Resource]
Millions of restaurant employees were suddenly unemployed in March and April. When restaurants reopened in May and June, 3 million employees returned to payroll, leaving 3 million others behind. In September, half of survey respondents say they plan to add employees in the coming weeks. The other half reported plans to lay off and furlough more employees.
