INSIDER SOUTH CAROLINA RESTAURANT AND LODGING ASSOCIATION
WINTER 2020
Learn how to design warm outdoor spaces Winterize your rooftops, terraces and lawns to radiate warmth this holiday season Š2020 South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction or quotation in whole or part without written permission is forbidden. While this newsletter is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information, the Association is not engaged in rendering legal or accounting services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
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The marketplace is the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s affinity program that helps members with selection and pricing advantages on important products and services that help advance and protect South Carolina's hospitality industry.
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OPERATIONAL SUPPORT Heartland Cintas Credibly Soundtrack Your Brand BMI ServSafe Office Depot Dining Alliance Fintech STR
COVID-19 PRODUCTS LetsGetChecked PPE 4 Restaurants Evo Environments Modjoul Screening SayNoMore Promotions
Table of Contents 4 | Message from the SCRLA President & CEO 7 | Stars of the Hospitality Industry Awards 8 | COVID-19 and the Americans with Disabilities Act 10 | S.C. Freezes 2021 Unemployment Tax Rate 12 | Human Trafficking Training During COVID-19 14 COVER | Designing Warm Outdoor Spaces 16 | 2020 Election Overview 21 | Consumers Continue Utilizing Takeout and Delivery 23 | World Food Championships Launches New Qualifier 24 | STR and Tourism Economics Upgrade 2020 Forcast 30 | New SCRLA Members
Providing ServSafe Food Safety and Alcohol training across South Carolina Food safety and responsible alcohol service is important. Protect your guests, employees and business with ServSafe Food Safety and ServSafe Alcohol certifications.
Winter Classes: Dec. 15 - Florence Dec. 16 - Myrtle Beach Dec. 21 - Bluffton/Hilton Head Dec. 22 - Charleston Jan. 6 - Charleston Jan. 12 - Columbia Jan. 13 - Greenville/Spartanburg Jan. 19 - Myrtle Beach Jan. 25 - Charleston Feb. 9 - Charleston Feb. 16 - Greenville/Spartanburg Feb. 17 - Columbia Feb. 23 - Myrtle Beach Feb. 24 - Charleston
SCRLA members receive a 20% discount using the code SERV2. Visit AtlanticFoodSafety.com or call 843.573.7935 to sign up for classes in your area.
2020 Election Overview on Page 16: Elections at the federal and state levels are extremely important.
South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association PO Box 7577 • Columbia, SC 29202 803.765.9000 • Fax 803.252.7136 Email info@scrla.org www.SCRLA.org
SCRLA Executive Committee Chairman
Bobby Williams Lizard’s Thicket
Vice Chairman
Michael Frits Doubletree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
Treasurer
Sam Agee Gateway Hospitality
Immediate Past Chair Bob Barenberg Hilton Hotel Corporation
Members
Bill Ellen, Experience Columbia SC Athan Fokas, Old Towne Grill Chuck Lauer, Embassy Suites N. Charleston Sean McLaughlin, Forest Lake Club Tony Tam, IMIC Hotels
AH&LA Board Liaison
John Munro, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island
NRA Board Liaison
Carl Sobocinski, Table 301, Greenville
Association Staff John Durst President and CEO Douglas OFlaherty Vice President Susan Walters Director of Meetings and Events Lenza Jolley Communications Manager Christal Van Wickler, Bookkeeper/Education Coordinator Randi Sullivan Membership and Business Development
Best wishes to you and yours for a happy and safe holiday season, and a healthy and propsperous New Year!
BRING YOUR APPETITES FOR RESTAURANT WEEK SOUTH CAROLINA! Get your taste buds ready and bring your appetites! Restaurant Week South Carolina is January 7-17. Restaurants will offer multicourse meals at valueadded prices during the 11-day event. Restaurant Week South Carolina is a win-win for diners and the local economy—giving consumers the opportunity to enjoy fantastic meals at great prices, while giving restaurants a boost during what is typically a slower time of the year. From casual to highend restaurants, there’s truly something for everyone during Restaurant Week. New to the campaign this year is the option to enjoy your favorite restaurants’ specials utilizing curbside pick-up, take out and online ordering. Participating restaurants and their menus can be found at RestaurantWeekSouthCarolina.com. Restaurants who wish to participate in Restaurant Week South Carolina can sign up at scrla.org/ events/rwsc21.
RESTAURANT WEEK SOUTH CAROLINA
JAN 7-17
SCRLA Seeking Nominations for STARS of the Hospitality Industry Awards The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) is seeking nominations for the 68th Annual Stars of South Carolina Hospitality Awards, honoring the best of the best in the state’s hospitality industry. The Awards will be held Monday, February 1, 2021 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Columbia. The Stars of South Carolina Hospitality Awards celebrate the exceptional professionalism and outstanding service of top individuals in the hospitality industry. Chip Rogers, President and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) will keynote our Stars of the Industry Awards luncheon. “Although these are difficult times, that makes it even more important to take advantage of opportunities to celebrate outstanding accomplishments. That’s one reason why we are looking forward so very much to honoring the bestof-the-best in the South Carolina’s tourism industry,” said John Durst, SCRLA’s President and CEO. “Honoring exceptional work—which exemplifies the highest standards and best practices of the hospitality industry on a daily basis—will be a special, memorable occasion for our industry.” Durst encourages SCRLA members to nominate their colleagues who regularly go above and beyond to demonstrate to visitors that “We’re glad you’re here”, making them eager to return and share their world-class experience with their friends and family. To submit a nominee or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please visit scrla.org/scrla_stars_21. The deadline to submit nominations is midnight on December 15.
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The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Americans with Disabilities Act As you work to care for the health and safety of all your guests be sure that modifications do not conflict with access guaranteed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Potential issues include hand-sanitizing stations that are out of reach for guests using wheelchairs and social-distancing rules that likewise frustrate those with limitations.
Claims asserted under the Americans with Disabilities Act are a continual source of risk assessment and litigation for hospitality companies. Under the ADA and related state laws, companies that offer products and services to the public are required to ensure equal access to their locations by persons with disabilities. These companies are now faced with a new set of potential compliance hazards due to the current global health crisis. As communities and businesses begin to reopen in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are making many changes to their policies and procedures, as well as modifying their facilities to attempt to ensure the safety of their patrons. As they do so, companies should be mindful of the ADA. While ADA claims can often be highly technical, the added wrinkle of a global pandemic and quickly changing state and local level guidance create the potential for companies to overlook the impact of these changes on their disabled patrons. The ADA generally provides a clear standard for particular physical elements, such as listing specific measurements for counter heights, operable parts and aisles. At the same time, it requires businesses to make modifications to policies and procedures to ensure that disabled guests have a like experience. Left unanswered is how businesses should react when faced with a potentially conflicting mandate from the ADA and new health and safety rules issued in response to the public health crisis. How do companies encourage health and safety in a pandemic while also complying with the ADA? Companies must remember that federal law such as the ADA preempts state and local mandates, presumably even those relating to a global pandemic. However, with court closures and mandates relating to COVID-19 varying from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, no interpretation of the merits of the claims or generally acceptable standards relating to ADA enforcement against local mandates have been developed. As a result, businesses should take care that any modifications to their facilities do not impede access for persons with disabilities. What are some important considerations? For instance, if a business is making modifications relating to cleanliness and reduction of transmission of COVID-19, it should consider individuals in wheelchairs who may have difficulty accessing hand sanitizer, wipes or gloves should they be available to the public. Similarly, plexiglass at checkout counters may create
greater distance or obstruction between a patron in a wheelchair and the counter or a point-of-service. Finally, some public restrooms are closing a selection of stalls to maintain social distance. The lack of access to a handicap stall may result in litigation. Businesses are modifying certain policies such as requiring all patrons to wear a face covering. There have been news reports that some people are claiming that this violates the ADA per se. This is not true. The ADA only protects persons with qualified disabilities. In addition, the ADA only requires businesses to make reasonable and necessary modifications to their policies. The ADA does not require public accommodations to take actions that would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others. However, this does not mean that a blanket “no mask, no entry” rule carries no risk or will be upheld. Certainly, the adoption of such a “no exceptions” policy may very well exclude certain individuals from patronizing a public accommodation – even if it complies with local health and safety recommendations. As a result, the public accommodation may also need to consider further modifications – such as curbside service – that would still allow a disabled person access to the goods and services offered inside. Businesses should also consider making exceptions to the policy for individuals who suffer from a disability that does not permit them to wear a mask. Under no circumstances should businesses demand “proof” of a person’s disability as a condition of entry. It is not clear how courts will view these new policies in the constantly changing landscape of the global pandemic. Plaintiffs are beginning to bring lawsuits making these allegations of discrimination in court. Consider the government mandates on the issue, whether the company policy may treat a group of individuals differently than others, and who is enforcing that policy —employees or security companies may not be equipped to handle the enforcement of these rules. Until some guidance is provided in each jurisdiction, it would be sensible for business to assess the accessibility of their public locations and policies relating to public safety and individuals with disabilities, and properly advising its employees and agents regarding both potential issues and enforcement. In doing so, not only will they be able to manage their exposure to ADA lawsuits, they also may be able to welcome more patrons into their stores who can purchase their goods and services after extended closures.
SC Officials Announce Freeze to 2021 Unemployment Tax Rate South Carolina has taken another step to help businesses get back on their feet. On November 12, Governor Henry McMaster announced 86% of the state’s employers will avoid an unemployment insurance tax increase in 2021. The only businesses that will see an increase in their tax rate are those that changed tax classes before the pandemic or had layoffs that were not COVID-19 related, which is only 13% of the state’s businesses. Since the legislature dedicated $920 million in CARES Act money to replenish the unemployment insurance trust fund, business owners will have more money to rebuild and rehire. This announcement brings some hope to the state’s struggling hospitality industry. “We’ve taken it on the chin,” said Bobby Williams, owner of Lizard’s Thicket and chair of the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association. “It’s been a
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horrible year to be in a restaurant, hotel, or especially catering. This is one thing they could do that affected everybody in business. So, it was a welcome surprise.” Without this rate freeze at the 2020 level, businesses would have had to pay double. “That was a shock that we didn’t think they could withstand,” explained DEW Executive Director Dan Ellzey. Employers, like Williams, would have had to increase prices or cut staff to be able to make up the approximately $172.4 million needed to rebuild the trust fund in 2021. “Employees that don’t even know across South Carolina that if the General Assembly and the executive branch had not come together to do this, they probably wouldn’t have had a job right now. So, we want to thank you,” said Ted Pitts, president and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.
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Since the pandemic, 75% of jobs lost in South Carolina have been regained, compared to the national average of only 56%. “We took a very careful, methodical, and determined approach, and it has paid off for the people in South Carolina,” said McMaster. “Now, we are in a position to accelerate even more and to grow out of this pandemic and to get our business booming.” While this tax freeze is helpful, Williams says our state’s businesses also need additional federal help to stay afloat.
Promote good hygiene habits and a positive restroom experience
“We need another round of PPP,” he explained. “Everybody blew through that money so fast, and it’s held up between the political parties in Washington right now, but honestly, between now and the first of the year, a lot of restaurants and hotels are going to close.” Even with coronavirus case numbers rising across the country and in South Carolina, McMaster says he’s not considering closing businesses again to stop the spread. He’s encouraging everyone to get tested regularly, to social distance, and to wear your masks.
"Unemployment insurance tax rates for 86.3% of South Carolina employers will remain unchanged or decrease for 2021 and there will be no flat rate tax increases on employers."
Make sure your customers can thoroughly wash their hands without touching surfaces when they visit your restrooms. Our touchless Signature Series® dispensers and scheduled service visits also make it easy to have essential restroom supplies in stock — while non-textured bacteriostatic surfaces make cleaning easier and help minimize germs. •
An array of colors to choose from
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A choice of touchless or manual dispensers
•
Weekly on-site service
The South Carolina General Assembly approved up to $920 million of CARES Act funding to: • Freeze 2021 tax rates at their 2020 levels and • Replenish the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund balance. The agency maintained diligent rebuild efforts for the UI Trust Fund after the Great Recession to ensure the state could withstand another economic crisis.
LEARN MORE Contact the Cintas National Service Team at 800.795.7368 or NationalServiceTeam@cintas.com.
Article by Katie Amodei
Human Trafficking Training is Important during COVID-19 Within the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been another crisis brewing. While hotels have been grappling with budget shortfalls, staff furloughs, and social distancing guidelines—human traffickers have not taken a break.
Human trafficking is a crime that thrives on chaos and vulnerability, and the current pandemic, as well as its resulting economic effect, is making more people vulnerable. According to the anti-trafficking group Polaris, the number of human trafficking cases handled by their hotline in the month of April 2020 compared to the time leading up to the pandemic and the same month in 2019, showed a 40 percent increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. This shows that traffickers are not slowing down or stopping. They are busy recruiting and grooming victims while so many people are vulnerable. Often, trafficking victims are first exploited as minors. The average age that youth enter into commercial sexual exploitation is between 13-15 years old. The current crisis is causing children to be more isolated at home and spending more time online. At the same time, more Americans are experiencing financial vulnerability. These two realities are making it easier for traffickers to find and groom new victims. So as more guests return to hotels, it is essential that hotel employees know how to spot the warning signs of human trafficking. The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association has partnered with the nonprofit Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) to provide members with free, easy access to online human trafficking awareness training. This training can be taken through the member website, making the training easy to administer with social distancing requirements. When new staff members are hired, it is essential that each employee receives this important training. Here are some reminders for hotel staff to remember as they welcome more guests. Who are the Victims? Victims can be anyone—male, female, transgender; of any ethnic group; foreign immigrant or US citizen; and victims can be any age, income, or education level. The common thread for human trafficking victims is their vulnerability. This can be a result of homelessness, unemployment, an unstable home environment, a past history of abuse, a disability, having run away from home, or people who have been tricked into believing they are going to gain an opportunity for a better life.
Who are the Traffickers? As with human trafficking victims, there is no one way to describe human traffickers. They can be young or old, male or female, and of any nationality or ethnic background. The key is traffickers are intent on exploiting the vulnerabilities of others for the purpose of commercial gain. Traffickers are not necessarily strangers or casual acquaintances of the victims. Some traffickers can be family members, intimate partners, or long-time friends of victims. Tips for Hotel Personnel It is important for hotel employees to understand some of the tactics used by traffickers. These include threats or use of violence towards the victim or the victim’s family, threatening deportation, restriction of contact with others, making false promises, or depriving the victim of basic needs. These tactics can result in victims being reluctant or unwilling to talk with security personnel, and victims may not ask for help. It’s also important to keep in mind that adults who are coerced or forced into commercial sexual activities are not criminals, and they should be treated as victims and put in touch with social service agencies who can get them connected to help. Anytime a child is involved in a commercial sex act, it is considered sex trafficking, and law enforcement should be contacted immediately if a child is in danger. All hotel employees should be trained in human trafficking prevention so they have the knowledge, skills, and ability to recognize a human trafficking situation and take appropriate action to intervene.
Through a partnership with Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST), the SCRLA provides free, comprehensive online human trafficking awareness training for all of our members and their staff. BEST’s Inhospitable to Human Trafficking Training meets all state requirements. Please visit SCRLA.org for more information regarding our member benefits.
Designing Warm Outdoor Spaces Reprinted from LodgingMagazine.com
As temperatures drop in the Northern Hemisphere, many people are eyeing winter with trepidation. Outdoor spaces have provided physical and mental respite from the pandemic—a chance for people to stretch their legs, chat with friends from a safe distance, and stare at something other than four walls. Summertime propped up patio dining and the “streetery” scene, poolside lounging, and road trips to nearby destinations—outings that brought people joy and kept the tourism industry afloat. But now that the days are growing shorter and colder in many areas across the United States, hoteliers are left wondering whether people will still want to spend time outdoors. They likely will if rooftops, terraces, and lawns radiate warmth. The same ingenuity that spurred creative and safe solutions to relax and socialize during the early days of the pandemic can kindle workable and inspired outdoor experiences for locals and visitors this winter. Just as guests will need to bundle up in layers to venture outside in the cold, winterizing outdoor spaces involves curating layers of design and programming choices that add up to a winter wonderland. Furniture and Fixtures Heat and shelter are first on the checklist for winterizing outdoor spaces. A shelter should embrace the outdoors rather than cover it up. Think about appropriately distanced “pods” where individual groups or families can sit together—whether umbrellas, tents, yurts, transparent geodesic domes, or even ski gondolas. There are also numerous options for heating elements: fire pits, heating lamps, and freestanding electric or propane heaters that are already common in the restaurant industry. Depending on the available resources, properties can offer freshly laundered blankets to guests spending time outdoors or invite guests to bring their own. Where possible, there is nothing like the hypnotic quality of a crackling wood fire and the aromatic scents of pinon and cedar to keep guests enchanted. No one enjoys sitting on cold metal or wood. Add cushions in cleanable fabrics to outdoor furniture that will keep guests cozy and comfortable. As for
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tabletops, opt for non-porous materials; the absence of cracks and crevices will make it easier for staff to wipe them clean. Food and Beverage If the property has a restaurant, tailor the menu to reinforce the coziness of the outdoor environment— think roasting marshmallows over the campfire to make s’mores or a steaming cup of hot cocoa. Make dining a main event and invite guests to participate to distract them from any lingering chill. For added warmth, enjoy imaginative interpretations of fondue around the traditional hot pot, or have guests build their own pizzas to be cooked in wood-fired ovens. Outdoor display cooking will keep guests excited and provide another heat source. Of course, creative cocktails (e.g., boozy hot cocoa, mulled wine, and hot toddies) inspired by the cold will generate plenty of internal warmth and conviviality. But restaurant meals are not the only way to entice guests. Look to Santa Fe’s Canyon Road Farolito Walk on Christmas Eve for inspiration. This holiday tradition lights up gardens, courtyards, and the exterior walls of historic buildings with paper lanterns, drawing residents and visitors for a stroll and Christmas carols as they sip on mulled cider and nibble on biscochitos—the buttery, cinnamondusted cookies that are traditional in New Mexico. Memories and Ambiance People want to escape the doom and gloom. Hotels can step in by offering low-risk ways to break from the routine and enjoy the company of others outside. Place candle lanterns throughout outdoor spaces and add festival lights everywhere. The sparkle is magnetic and intoxicating and adds that perfect touch of cozy hygge that the Danish culture has mastered to fend off the darkness of a long cold winter. Hotels will need every ounce of creativity to get through this. Efforts are as much about staying in business as they are about lifting people’s spirits during trying times. But reinventing outdoor spaces and offerings under restrictive circumstances does not mean guests have to settle for inferior experiences. Hotels can still make magic happen.
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2020 General Election
Overview
While the Presidential election was the most unusual one she’s ever seen, Emily Loeb, partner at Jenner & Block, Washington, D.C., says other elections at the federal and state levels were just as important as the one for the White House. Races in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Maine, North Carolina, Montana, South Carolina, and Iowa were especially close and key to a Democratic upset in the Senate, she says. Republican Lindsey Graham defeated Democrat Jamie Harrison, 55-44% in a hotly contested race that gained national attention over recent months. Harrison, who broke national Senate fundraising records, could not overcome Graham’s stronghold in the state allowing Graham another six-year term in the U.S. Senate. In the House, races for 28 seats were competitive, but no matter who won those contests, Democrats were likely to retain control. In South Carolina’s Second District, Joe Wilson handily defeated political newcomer Adair Boroughs, sending him back to Washington for his tenth term. Congressman Jim Clyburn will be the only Democrat representing the Palmetto State in Congress with Republicans William Timmons, Jeff Duncan, and Ralph Norman cruising to victory. Republicans reclaimed South Carolina’s First District in a 51-49% upset, as Nancy Mace defeated Joe Cunningham. Mace is the first female to win the District and is also the first South Carolinian woman in Congress since the 1980s. And in one of the biggest shifts to potentially affect business as well as social issues for years to come is the appointment and confirmation of conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. State Elections in the Palmetto State State contests are important because winners will redraw legislative districts based on this year’s Census count. Up for election are governorships in 11 states, attorneys general in 10 states and 86 state chambers, 22 of which are expected to be closely contested. In what can only be described as a red Republican wave, upsets resonated across the Palmetto State on Election Day. South Carolina Senate Republican Penry Gustafson defeated Vincent Sheheen (Democratic incumbent – District 27), who served 20 years in the Senate, by a 51-49% margin;
while Floyd Nicholson (Democratic incumbent – District 10), who represents a district that has been Democratic since at least 1966, was defeated 56-44% by Republican Billy Garrett. Republican Josh Kimbrell also defeated Glenn Reese (Democratic incumbent – District 11) 55-45%. With the retirement of Senators John Matthews (District 39) and Paul Campbell (District 44), there are now five open seats on the influential Senate Finance Committee. In Charleston County, where some legislative shifts were expected, the makeup of the legislative delegation remained the same. The political makeup of the Senate, which was previously 27-19, has now shifted to a 30-16 Republican majority.
There will be six new Senators at the beginning of the 2021 session: Billy Garrett District 10 Josh Kimbrell District 11 Michael Johnson District 16 Penry Gustafson District 27 Vernon Stephens District 39 Brian Adams District 44 South Carolina House of Representatives The Republican Party in the House of Representatives followed the same trend as the Senate, with Republicans picking up two seats, taking the House to an 81-43 majority. There will be 15 new members in the House of Representatives next year after retirements, primary losses and after two incumbents, Mandy Powers Norrell (Democratic incumbent – District 44) and Laurie Funderburk (Democratic incumbent – District 52), were defeated in Tuesday’s election.
There will be 15 new House Members at the beginning of the 2021 session: Billy Garrett District 10 Jerry Carter District 3 Travis Moore District 33 Roger Nutt District 34 Sandy McGarry District 44 Vic Dabney District 52 Kimberly Johnson District 64 Jermaine Johnson District 80 RJ May District 88 Gil Gatch District 94 Ryan McCabe District 96 Mark Smith District 99 Case Brittain District 107 Joe Bustos District 112 Chardale Murray District 116
Pandemic relief At the beginning of November, Congress had proposed additional rounds of pandemic relief, including bipartisan legislation in both the House and Senate for $120 billion in grants to restaurants, a second round of forgivable Payroll Protection Program loans, employee retention tax credits, a “healthy workplace” tax credit for increased COVID-related business costs, and other measures. While negotiations are currently stalled, it’s critical for restaurant operators to stay engaged and keep pressing so there’s a breakthrough by the end of the calendar year,” says Aaron Frazier, the Association’s director of healthcare and tax policy. After the election, expect increased federal oversight and investigation of where money spent for the CARES Act actually went, says Gabriel Gillett, partner, Jenner & Block, Chicago. While the Small Business Administration has only just begun the forgiveness process for PPP loans, the Justice Dept. has begun fraud prosecutions against those who received loans illegally, for example. Next up for regulators in the new year, he suggests, will be high interest in issues surrounding workplace health and safety, employment and labor, and privacy. In general, he says, election wins that give Democrats either the White House or a majority at federal or state levels will result in more regulation; a Republican win in the national election will result in less federal regulation, but potentially more state regulation.
Here's what could be affected
U.S. Senate Race Results
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Lindsey Graham 54.44% (1,369,137 votes) Jamie Harrison 44.17% (1,110,828 votes)
U.S. House District 1 Race Results Nancy Mace 50.58% (216,042 votes)
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Joe Cunningham 49.31% (210,627 votes)
U.S. House District 2 Race Results
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Joe Wilson 55.66% (202,715 votes) Adair Ford Boroughs 42.59% (155,118 votes)
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Health & Safety - Potential new Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules on PPE, responding to infected persons, hazards to employees, etc. - Legislation on vaccine enforcement and discrimination - Action on business liability or legal protections for businesses that take measures to comply with CDC and other guidance - Legislation responding to outcomes of employee, customer, and nuisance claims Labor & Employment - Potential federal and/or additional state worker classification proposals and legislation - Expansion of paid leave laws - Benefits for part-time and temporary employees - Minimum wage initiatives - Increased oversight of employers Privacy - Level of federal investigation/enforcement may change - Potential introduction and scope of federal data privacy law; impact at state level Other Issues - Issues more directly related to opening/remaining open during pandemic - Business interruption insurance or similar backstop - Food waste regulations - Prop 65 expansion beyond California (it requires the state to maintain and update a list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity) - Natural gas bans
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Consumers are Expected to Continue Using Takeout and Delivery With on-premises restaurant traffic significantly curtailed during the pandemic, the availability of off-premises options took on added importance for both restaurants and consumers. Many restaurant operators added new off-premises options in recent months, and consumers responded by increasing their usage of takeout and delivery. The uptick in off-premises frequency was visible across each of the three major dayparts in recent months. At the beginning of November, 66% of adults said they ordered takeout or delivery for dinner. This was up from 58% during the last week of February. The proportion of adults using takeout or delivery for dinner trended higher after the first few weeks of the initial lockdowns, before plateauing in the mid-60% range in early-May. The trendline was similar for lunch. Forty-seven percent of adults ordered takeout or delivery for lunch at the end of October – a level that has held relatively steady for the last six months. In late-February, only 37% of adults said they ordered takeout or delivery for lunch. The proportion of adults picking up a breakfast meal or beverage from a restaurant or coffee shop declined during the first several weeks of the pandemic, likely because many people were not going into work. However, this indicator trended higher in recent months, and reached a pandemic high of 35% the first week of November. Looking specifically at the dinner daypart, the largest increase in off-premises frequency was seen among older consumers. Sixty percent of baby boomers said they ordered takeout or delivery for dinner last week – up from just 41% in late-February. Sixty-six percent of GenXers purchased takeout or delivery for dinner last week – up 8% from the last week in February. Millennials and Gen Z adults continue to use takeout or delivery during the dinner daypart at higher rates than their older counterparts. However, there wasn’t a significant difference between early November’s level and their lateFebruary readings. For the lunch daypart, the largest increase in off-premises frequency was registered by millennials. Sixty percent of millennials ordered takeout or delivery for lunch last week – up from 46% during the last week of February. Looking ahead over the next three months, the expectation is that consumers will maintain their off-premises usage
of restaurants. Among adults who ordered takeout or delivery for lunch or dinner last week, 32% said they expect to increase their frequency during the next three months. Only 22% plan to cut their off-premises frequency for lunch or dinner. Millennials and Gen-Xers were the age cohorts most likely to signal an increase in their off-premises frequency during the next three months. Urban residents and individuals in higher-income households are also likely to boost their usage of takeout and delivery in the months ahead.
World Food Championships Launches New Qualifier with Lake Murray Country The World Food Championships (WFC) recently announced a new partnership with the Capital City/ Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board of South Carolina to host a Super Regional qualifying event on March 4, 2021. Through the annual charitable event Taste of Lake Murray, local chefs will be invited to compete for six Golden Tickets. This will earn and them a chance to represent the first-ever Team Lake Murray Country at the 2021 WFC next fall. “Lake Murray Country makes up parts of metropolitan Columbia, historic Newberry, rural Saluda and the County of Lexington, which is one of the most vibrant and fastestgrowing counties in South Carolina,” said Miriam Atria, the President and CEO of Capital City/Lake Murray Country. “This area continues to experience growth in the culinary scene and our regional tourism board wants to encourage and promote our food scene on a national scale through this partnership with WFC. This event will allow us to focus and showcase our regional restaurants/chefs, who have suffered during this pandemic.” The Taste of Lake Murray will be an intense culinary battle that will allow chefs and restaurants from this area to combat one another in the kitchen to claim their spot on the newest WFC Regional team. The event will be
hosted at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Bush River Road in Lexington County. More than 20 chefs are expected to create samples for the event’s 800 patrons. WFC is the highest stakes food competition in the world. This multi-day, live event culinary competition showcases some of the world's best cooks who compete for food, fame and fortune in 10 categories. In 2019, more than 450 culinary teams from 11 countries and 42 American states competed in WFC’s Main Event. With WFC’s growing state and regional partnerships, the development of competitive teams from a strategic area has continued to grow. This latest team addition for South Carolina will join a robust and experienced group of teams from Alabama, Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, Maryland and Indiana. “We really look forward to learning more about the cuisine and talent from Lake Murray Country,” said Mike McCloud, WFC President and CEO. “These strategic qualifiers not only highlight the great local cuisine from America’s diverse regions, but they end up giving new groups of chefs and cooks a chance to develop life-long friends at WFC that share the same passion and purpose of food through competition.”
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STR and Tourism Economics Slightly Upgrade 2020 U.S. Hotel Forecast With leisure demand stronger than anticipated in the fall, STR and Tourism Economics slightly upgraded the final 2020 U.S. hotel forecast just released during the virtual NYU Hospitality Conference. Regardless of the shortterm upgrade, the forecast for 2021 remains functionally unchanged and full recovery in revenue per available room (RevPAR) is unlikely until 2024.
“The economy has entered a slower stage of recovery, and COVID-19 will continue to shape travel conditions in coming quarters,” said Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics. “Assuming substantial progress is made against the virus in the first half of 2021, we anticipate travel demand will rebound strongly in the second half.”
“Even with the encouraging vaccine news, this pandemic and the subsequent economic impact will continue to limit hotel demand generators into the second half of next year,” said Amanda Hite, president of STR. “Business demand won’t return at a substantial level until caseloads are better contained, and in the meantime, recovery is going to be primarily driven by lower-tier hotels in the leisure-driven markets with outdoor offerings.”
STR and Tourism Economics project the industry will recapture 80 percent of demand by the end of 2021, although RevPAR will be 34.2 percent lower than in 2019. Average daily rate (ADR) and revenue will follow a slower recovery timeline, putting the industry on pace for full demand recovery at the end of 2023 and a return to pre-pandemic RevPAR levels by the close of 2024.
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SCRLA.org
Kimpton's Dining Experience Predictions for 2021 Creative Dining Options to Suit Any Climate Restaurateurs will continue adding new outdoor dining experiences, even in markets with cold weather. Expect to see every outdoor space reimagined to create unique experiences for guests. For instance, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester is creating a Winter Garden for guests to enjoy brunch, afternoon tea, and cocktails and Kimpton Maa Lai Bangkok is offering Cycle & Picnic packages so guests can enjoy the outdoors while eating an elevated and tasty meal. More Intimate, Highly Personalized Event Spaces From an events perspective, guests are looking for intimate, highly personalized experiences in spaces that are comfortable, warm, and have an inviting atmosphere. Outdoor microweddings have been popular at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, with personalized, next-level details like a Smoked Out Old-Fashioned Station, customized face masks for every guest, and sunset helicopter rides for the newlyweds.
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Ambiance Matters More Than Ever Going out is more of a treat than ever before and, as a result, consumers will see more tented, heated rooftop spaces, leveraging high-quality sound systems and playlists to create a perfect atmosphere for guests. Restaurateurs and bar owners will go all-in on lighting, greenery, landscaping, heating and cooling, and framed-in views. For instance, Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in Milwaukee offers spaced out rooftop dining and drinking with views of the city.
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2020 World Amateur in Myrtle Beach Harry Radley made a gross par on the first hole of a three-way, sudden death playoff to emerge victorious in the Flight Winners’ Playoff at the 37th Annual PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com World Amateur Handicap Championship Friday at Barefoot Resort’s Dye Course.
Champion,” Tournament Director Scott Tomasello said. “We enjoyed a week of great golf and while we are grateful to have been able to play the World Am, we are certainly looking forward to next year’s tournament and a return to more normal circumstances.”
Radley, Doug Mrstik and Bruce Moskovciak all shot net 71s and were tied after 18 holes. The trio began the playoff on the Dye Course’s par-4 18th hole and Radley’s par was good enough to allow him to emerge from a field of 2,150 golfers and claim the mantle of World Champion.
Golfers from all 50 states competed in this year’s World Am, a 72-hole, net stroke play event, but the 2020 was altered due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Brian Katrek and Todd Stires combined to win the Casa de Campo Pairs Competition, shooting a combined, net team score of 4-over. By virtue of winning, the pair received a 4-day, 3-night stay at luxurious Casa de Campo and unlimited golf. “The 37th Annual World Am was certainly different, but the one thing that didn’t change was the competition at the heart of the event, and we are delighted to congratulate Harry Radley on earning the title of World
The biggest change was the absence of the World’s Largest 19th Hole, which usually serves as the event’s social hub, providing players free food, drinks, live entertainment and more each evening. Other changes included: • • • • •
All participants had their own cart for each tournament round. No more than 72 golfers on each course. A tee time window with threesomes was instituted. Complimentary range balls were provided and placed on respective ranges to eliminate touch points. No spectators were allowed.
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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 scrla.org/page/InsuranceCenter 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, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of Illinois or their affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates. EI20266454.0 08/20 ©2020 United HealthCare Services, Inc.
Bobby Higdon robert.higdon@heartland.us 812-989-6044 heartland.us/restaurant Š 2019 Heartland Payment Systems, LLC
End of the Year is the Best Time to Switch Payroll Providers Thinking about switching payroll providers? A quarter of small business owners are shopping for a payroll provider near the end of the year. Some are fed up with the bad service they’ve received. Others are frustrated by payroll platforms not integrated with their business’s software and hardware. Maybe a vendor’s lack of attention has resulted in costly errors and penalties. Or perhaps a business owner is just tired of doing payroll with everything else on his/her plate.
You can certainly switch payroll providers after January, but you'll have more information to transfer and the added complication of whether it’s the former or current payroll provider’s responsibility to perform certain tasks. That brings us to the most important question – what should you look for in a new payroll provider? Not all providers offer the same level of service. Before you officially make the switch, ask the following questions: •
Whatever your reason, the New Year is the best time to make a change. Why? At the start of the New Year, there's no historical data to migrate from your old system into your new one. You also don’t have to go through the hassle of collecting all your year-to-date and quarter-to-date information from your old provider. Changing providers at the beginning of the year allows your new payroll company to hit the ground running with a clean slate. For a smooth transition, be sure your last pay date of the year is with your old provider, and your first pay date of the year is with your new provider. For example, if you have a pay period ending in December 2020, with a pay date in January 2021, that cycle should be with your new provider since it will be reported on your 2021 W-2s. Your previous provider will prepare the 2020 W-2s. Remember, payroll taxes are based on when wages are paid, not when employees work. Also, don’t forget to take care of a few vital tasks before you make the switch: •
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Produce copies of all your financial records from your old payroll company such as employee information and tax records. Prepare tax filings from your previous provider that include Q4 2020 quarterly, 2020 annual, and 2020 W-2s. Prepare basic business information for your new provider, such as your Federal and State Employer Identification Numbers and bank account details.
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What payroll features are provided? Go beyond processing payroll. Source a service that can help you with HR, recruiting and onboarding, time and attendance, and benefits administration – today and as your business grows. Is the payroll system easy to use? You want an intuitive platform that eliminates data entry duplication. It should also be cloud-based, with a simple to navigate dashboard that allows you to view and automate activities, and generate prebuilt reports. Is the payroll system integrated? Does it connect payroll, hiring, time and HR to streamline backoffice operations? Is it able to exchange data with accounting services, worker’s compensation, 401(k) and more? Will the payroll service keep you compliant? Protect your business. Seek easy access to certified HR professionals who can provide personalized guidance on HR issues, labor laws and federal, state and industry regulations. Is the payroll provider experienced and reputable? Find out how long a provider has been serving the payroll/HR community, and how many active customers it has. Ensure you’ll have access to a dedicated service representative who understands your business, serves as an extension of your team, and is your single point of contact for all of your needs.
Payroll is far too important to stay with an unsatisfactory provider. If you've been toying with the idea of outsourcing payroll or changing providers, now is a good time to pull the trigger.
Join us in welcoming our new members! Basic Kitchen Charleston, SC
Food Sales East Lexington, SC
Rainer's Greenville, SC
Battery Creek High School Beaufort, SC
Hampton Street Vineyard Columbia, SC
Ristorante Bergamo Greenville, SC
Ben & Jerry's Isle of Palms Isle of Palms, SC
Hilton Head High School Hilton Head Island, SC
Rockless Table El Sagundo, CA
Ben & Jerry's Kiawah Kiawah Island, SC
Homewood Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Coastal Grand Mall Myrtle Beach, SC
Spectrum Enterprise Charlotte, NC
Big Cheese Ventures Lexington, SC Cessso Inc. Johns Island, SC Crooked Hammock Brewery North Myrtle Beach, SC Danny's Pizza & Pasta Fort Mill, SC DIG 17A Moncks Corner, SC DIG in the Park North Charleston, SC
ICF, Energy Wise for Your Business Lexington, SC Modal Greenville LLC Greenville, SC Mojo's Marina Bar & Grill Murrells Inlet, SC Olive Garden Corporate Orlando, FL Pinckney Carter Company North Charleston, SC Plantation Resort Surfside Beach, SC
EASING BACK INTO BUSINESS Let’s get back to what we love. Whether re-opening means picking up where you left off, or redefining the dining, restore and reconnect with your patrons in the best way possible. Check out the resources we have that can help you get back to doing what you love.
From front of the house to the back and more, explore our resources at performancefoodservice.com/restart
Florence (800) 800-6434 • 2801 Alex Lee Boulevard • Florence, SC 29506
Sweetened Jars Myrtle Beach, SC Taco La Barra Greenville, SC Vicious Biscuit Mt. Pleasant, SC White Duck Greenville LLC Black Mountain, NC White Duck Taco Shop - Airport Greenville, SC White Duck Taco Shop - Hampton St. Greenville, SC
RESTAURANT WEEK SOUTH CAROLINA JANUARY 7-17, 2021
WWW.RESTAURANTWEEKSOUTHCAROLINA.COM
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA, SC PERMIT 168
PO Box 7577, Columbia, SC 29202
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