Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association

TODAY: Free Cheesesteaks & Ice Cream for the first 100 individuals who receive their COVID-19 vaccine at 1340 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia! Brought to you by PRLA, Temple Health, the William Penn Foundation, Fishtown District, Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop, and Weckerly's Ice Cream. No registration required.

When the pandemic emergency declaration ends (as soon as Friday once the election votes are certified), mixed drinks to-go also ends. Call your senators and urge them to keep this important tool in place as we rebuild the industry. Find your senator's contact info here: https://bit.ly/3wcTz0w

ACTION ALERT: Tomorrow, the RRF Replenishment Act will be introduced. This new legislation will direct $60 billion in funding to the SBA, allowing them to complete the mission and provide sorely needed recovery dollars for the restaurant industry. If you care about the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and agree that the struggles of the restaurant industry warrant continued federal support, I urge you to weigh in with your representatives in Washington. Add your voice, share your perspective, and together we can move Congress to support our favorite local restaurants. - https://bit.ly/2TYBiWF

It's #WorkforceWednesday, and Pennsylvania's hospitality industry is hiring! Each week, we're highlighting career opportunities across the state. #PRLAmember Say Cheese! Restaurant & Cheese in West Reading is looking for dedicated line cooks and a maître d to join their team! More details and application at: https://bit.ly/2RCo54M . . . PRLA members, advertise your open positions for free on the PRLA job board: https://bit.ly/3ftigQz... ***For a limited time, non-members can receive a complimentary posting by using the code COVID-19!*** See more

On June 11, from 4:30-7 p.m., PRLA, in partnership with Temple Health and the William Penn Foundation, will be holding a free vaccine clinic in conjunction with the Fishtown District's Reopening Celebration. Free cheesesteaks & ice cream for the first 100 individuals who receive their vaccine!

TODAY: Join our webinar with Post & Schell, P.C.'s Andrea Kirshenbaum to get up to speed on Pennsylvania's new salary thresholds going into effect this year. Register: https://web.prla.org//WebinarThe%20impact%20of%20P/details

The City of Philadelphia Government today released revised guidance for restaurants as the City prepares to resume indoor dining tomorrow, January 16, 2021. Items of note include: - Language in the Reduce Crowds section: "Limit indoor seating to 25% of the stated lawful occupancy for seated dining. If the lawful occupancy is unknown then the density must not exceed 1 person per 60 square feet in the dining area, including staff." - Outdoor catered events with food are permitt...ed with up to 25 people. Without food, it's 10 people per 1,000 square feet, up to 2,000 people. READ MORE: Restaurant and mobile food cart guidance | Department of Public Health - https://bit.ly/35JKT6m

Attention PRLA Southern Chapter membersdon't miss our virtual chapter meeting next Tuesday, January 19 at 4 PM. Guest presenter Solomon Wheeler of the Harrisburg U.S. Small Business Administration office will discuss funding options and programs available to small businesses right now. RSVP: http://bit.ly/2LSVCV8

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and resources for PA's hospitality and tourism industry: http://bit.ly/2QcLTZb

If we [Pennsylvania’s hospitality industry] go under, the state will go under. And we need them to come together and come up with solutions that are helpful, and stop the partisan rhetoric and stop the in-fighting, and help get this industry through this crisis, says Bova. https://bit.ly/3inU69S

We're just 2 weeks away from PRLA's Annual Meeting! Join us for a scaled back, virtual one-day event featuring keynotes from industry leaders Chip Rogers (President & CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association - AHLA) & Tom Bené (President & CEO, National Restaurant Association), plus an expert panel discussion on the industry's road ahead. PRLA members and non-members alike are invited to join usfree of chargeto reflect on the year that was and prepare for the challenges to come in 2021. Check out the schedule and register at: www.prla.org/annualmeeting

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, but this crime happens year-round. Human traffickers continue to plague businesses across the country as they exploit victims in the privacy of hotel rooms. Many hotels still lack the proper training and protocol to recognize and prevent these horrendous crimes. That's why our partners at Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking created the Inhospitable to Human Trafficking training. This webinar will explor...e the prevalence of human trafficking in the hospitality industry, the importance of training hotel staff, and discuss best practices for creating an environment that is inhospitable to human trafficking. Register to join us on Thursday, January 21 at 2 PM: https://web.prla.org//WebinarCombatting%20Human%20/details #HumanTraffickingPreventionMonth #NoRoom

ICYMI: Watch this week's PRLA Industry Update on demand now: https://bit.ly/2N1Tefs . . . Throughout the pandemic, PRLA has opened its resources to the entire industry to ensure access to timely and accurate information for all. If you're not already a member, we hope you consider supporting our efforts by joining PRLA for as little as $1/day. https://bit.ly/3gPAKsU

Reminder to Lancaster area restaurant, hotel, & tourism operatorsplease join us for the PRLA Lancaster Chapter's upcoming virtual chapter meeting tomorrow, Oct. 27 at 2 PM to network with peers and get your questions about issues impacting the industry answered. Register: https://bit.ly/3jxJwvE

PRLA virtual chapter meetings are open to all local industry operators to attend, free of charge. Join us in the chapter nearest you to learn about the latest industry news and available resources, network with peers, and discuss best practices. Register at web.prla.org/events. Find your chapter at: www.prla.org/chapters

"Honestly, there is not enough money in the state of Pennsylvania to save the restaurant industry. Everybody knows that," Longstreet said. "The only thing that will save the restaurant industry is to get them open with safe and sensible and reasonable standards."

Join us TODAY at 1:30 pm for Our Tablea virtual discussion on the Philadelphia restaurant industry's ever changing landscape of hurdles, past and future challenges. Moderated by Michael Klein. Register at: https://bit.ly/3dWBM5g

"That's not obviously anywhere near what restaurants need to survive."

Thank you to the Pennsylvania Conference for Women for spearheading this generous effort, and congratulations to the 70 women-owned restaurants from all corners of Pennsylvania which received grants to help pay employees and defray other costs during this time of hardship. View a list of the grant recipients here: https://bit.ly/3okbnTQ

It Happened This Week 10/23/20 | HB 2513 veto override vote failed in House; Gov. announced "lifeline" to the industry; countdown to the election is on. Watch the week in review: https://bit.ly/3jjub1O

"While our industry desperately needs support, these olive branches will not sustain businesses that are still reeling from closures, shrinking revenue, and well-intended but ineffective mitigation efforts unnecessarily targeting restaurant operators," Longstreet said. "A true lifeline for the industry would have been permitting HB 2513 to become law." | PennLive.com https://bit.ly/3jqvFr7

"If that's going to be your lifeline, then you were probably going out of business," said Matt Turbiner, owner of Shadyside's Shady Grove restaurant. "It's not enough to save the restaurant industry. He said any attempts to help the industry are appreciated, but this one won't make a difference. https://bit.ly/3jgF30o

October 22, 2020: A statement from PRLA President & CEO John Longstreet regarding Governor Wolf's latest announcement. Full text below. Read the Gov's announcement at: https://bit.ly/3dTkW7l . . . PRLA has been advocating for a number of industry "lifelines" since March 19. It's unfortunate that the Administration is only now, nearly 8 months later, taking our requests seriously. While our industry desperately needs support, these olive branches will not sustain businesses t...hat are still reeling from closures, shrinking revenue, and well-intended but ineffective mitigation efforts unnecessarily targeting restaurant operators. For example, the $20 million in licensee fee waivers only accounts for 2021 fees, does not provide relief for 2020 fees, and only amounts to about $1,500 per licensee, which doesn't compensate for the daily losses in revenue licensees are facing under the current orders. The PRLA has asked for federal and state funding packages. However, those only help if the industry is returned to the safe and rational operating guidelines from pre-July 15, which HB 2513 would have accomplished, and the majority of the legislature has recognized. A true lifeline for the industry would have been permitting HB 2513 to become law. If the restaurant industry is the backbone of Pennsylvania's economy, then our Governor needs to understand our backs are broken. See more