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MRA Friends & Family Night

Get ready to immerse yourself in a night of music, food, and fun at the MRA Night Out! 🎶🍔🎉 Join us under the stars at the Overton Park Shell on June 20, 2024, for an evening you won’t soon forget.

Marcella Simien is set to captivate audiences with her soulful performance starting at 7:30 PM. But that’s just the beginning of the festivities! Whether you choose to indulge in our food pavilion offerings or bring your own picnic dinner, the choice is yours. Gather your loved ones, including family, friends, and kids, for a memorable night out. ❤️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Get your tickets now.

Join us at our food pavilion where your ticket grants you admission and includes a delightful meal experience. Please note that access to the food pavilion is exclusive to ticket holders, ensuring an enjoyable and seamless dining atmosphere. For those opting for a different dining experience, feel free to bring your own picnic. We welcome all to partake in the festivities, with or without a ticket! 🎟️🍽️

Thirsty? No worries! We’ve got you covered with a convenient cash bar serving up refreshing beverages to complement the evening. 🍹 Get your tickets now.

Before you head out, remember to grab your lawn chair or blanket for comfortable seating, and don’t forget the bug spray to keep those pesky critters at bay. 🪑🌿

Get your tickets now and prepare for an enchanting evening of music, laughter, and community at the MRA Night Out! 🎟️🌟

From the Overton Shell website:

As always, picnic baskets, beverages, blankets, and lawn chairs are welcome during the Orion Free Concert Series. Dogs on a leash are welcome in the designated, dog-friendly PUPPY BAR. 🐶🍷

The Shell is a nonsmoking facility. 🚭

Get your tickets now.

🚨 Attention Restaurant Owners! 🚨 The FTC wants to force us to eliminate common fees, like large-party service fees and credit card surcharges. This rule would create less transparency for customers and raise costs for small business owners. We need your voice! 🗣️

The infographic explains the issue here: FTC Fee Ban Fact Sheet.

Please take two minutes to urge your Member of Congress to sign the Association-backed letter to the FTC by clicking here: Take Action. ✉️🖋️

Facebook Live w Fisher Phillips on New Overtime Rule

This is a Facebook Live events to please use the link to watch.

📢 Mark your calendars! 📅 Join us for an insightful Facebook Live session on Tuesday, June 18 at 2 PM EST, featuring attorneys Courtney Leyes and Malik Luckett from Fisher Phillips Group. 🎙️

We’ll be diving into the hot topic of the New Federal Overtime Rule, set to take effect on July 1. Millions of workers are poised to become eligible for overtime pay due to the Labor Department’s latest salary threshold adjustments for certain exempt employees. And guess what? The rates are higher than initially anticipated! 💼💰

Don’t miss out on this crucial discussion! Tune in live to catch all the updates and insights, or listen to the recording at your convenience. It’s time to stay informed and prepared for the changes ahead. See you there! 🔍👀

Learn more about Courtney here: http://rb.gy/fb9jne
Learn more about Malik here: http://rb.gy/vx6s08
Subscribe to Fisher Phillips HR Legal updates here: http://rb.gy/u0v3wk

#OvertimeRule #LaborDepartment #FisherPhillipsGroup

New Federal Overtime Rule is Here!

Millions of additional workers will soon be eligible for overtime pay thanks to the Labor Department’s new salary threshold for certain exempt employees – which raises the rate higher than initially anticipated. Employers will need to act quickly to ensure their pay practices align with this significant change. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced today that the salary threshold for the so-called “white-collar” exemptions will rise from $35K to about $44K on July 1 and will jump to nearly $59k at the start of 2025 – which means your workers will need to earn at least this new threshold to even be considered exempt from OT pay under the white-collar exemptions. The Department says this change will impact about 4 million workers, and it could prompt big changes to your compensation plans. While we expect to see legal challenges, you can’t count on a court halting the rule before the effective dates, so you should start planning right away. What are the top 10 considerations you should make ahead of the effective date?

Read more here.

Information on Department of Labor’s Overtime Rule

Many restaurant operators would be challenged to pay new overtime wages for salaried managers earning $60,000/year, as explained in Association and Restaurant Law Center comments opposing the U.S. Department of Labor’s overtime rule. The comments detail significant concerns and ask the DOL to rescind the proposal originally issued in August 2023.

Implications for the Industry:

• Operational Impact: Should the rule be finalized as is, many restaurant operators may need to reclassify currently exempt supervisors as non-exempt hourly employees. This is more than a procedural shift; it’s a change that could affect employees’ perception of their professional standing and access to benefits. Reclassifying supervisors as hourly employees could decrease morale, reduce productivity, and increase turnover.

Go Deeper:

Association/RLC Comments

Association Statement on Comments to DOL

The Proposed Rule on Overtime

Association/ RLC Webinar

Catch this Facebook Live On Replay

Chef Phillip Dewayne discussing Le Bon Appetit June 8

Catch this replay where we chatted with Chef Phillip Dewayne of Park & Cherry about the Le Bon Apetit fundraiser that was held on June 8!

🍽️✨

This incredible event supported Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, and you won’t want to miss our discussion about the chef-driven event. 🏥❤️

We discussed the delicious details so tune in to get all the inside scoop! 👀🙌

Facebook Lives Coming Soon

Transitioning to Vegan with Sun of a Vegan’s Owner, Ayesha Collier

🌞 Get ready for an exciting Facebook Live event! Stay tuned to delve into the world of Sun of a Vegan and meet the visionary behind it all, Ayesha Collier. 🌱 Discover the journey of owning and operating a vegan restaurant firsthand from Ayesha herself.

Tune in to learn why menu items like those at Sun of a Vegan contribute to healthier dining options and offer a broader range of choices for your customers. 🥗🍔

The date for this enlightening session will be announced soon, so keep an eye out for updates! 📅 Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore the intersection of delicious cuisine and sustainable living. 🌿

Floor Mats: To use or not to use with Attorney Chuck Weirich

📣 Get ready for an insightful Facebook Live event! Stay tuned to gain valuable knowledge from Chuck Weirich, an attorney with Ortale Kelley Law Offices, as he discusses the legal intricacies surrounding floor mats in your restaurant. 🏛️

Join us to explore the legal pros and cons of floor mats at various locations within your establishment. Chuck will provide expert insights to help you navigate potential liabilities and ensure compliance with safety regulations. ⚖️

The date for this informative session will be announced soon, so keep an eye out for updates! 📅 Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding of restaurant safety and legal considerations. 🍽️

📢 Attention Memphis Restaurant Vendors! 🍽️

Have you recently received a phone call from a vendor offering ads in a directory and mentioned the Memphis Restaurant Association (MRA)? Don’t worry, it’s not a scam! 🔍 We want to clarify that we have partnered with an external advertising agency to publish a comprehensive restaurant vendor guide for the Memphis area.

Ads sold in this guide serve as a crucial source of fundraising for us, enabling us to continue supporting and advocating for our vibrant restaurant community. 🎉

Rest assured, paid MRA members will always receive the benefit of being listed on our official business directory. You can find our directory here: LINK TO DIRECTORY

In addition, both members and non-members have the opportunity to purchase additional ads, which will be prominently featured in the company’s vendor guide. 📚

Thank you for your continued support, and if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us directly. Let’s keep Memphis’s culinary scene thriving together! 🌟

Zoo Rendezvous Sept 7, 2024

The Memphis Zoo invites you to join us for Zoo Rendezvous 2024.

If you are interested in having your restaurant or bar participate, please fill out the form by clicking here or the image above. By doing so, you will reserve a spot. Please note, we have a limited number of spots available, so we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible. 

Once you have filled out your form, please email your Certificate of Insurance to me at anickas@memphiszoo.org. 

Patrick Accounting Podcast in Partnership With MRA

The Restaurant Grind Podcast

We love the restauranteur story – each one is different, but they have one thing in common: that grit & grind attitude to push through when things get tough. Join JD & Matt as they here a new story each week and tackle modern day struggles faced by restaurant owners today.

Time to Pay Your 2024 Dues

Dear Valued Members,

We would like to remind you to ensure the continued success of our Association by renewing your membership. To make the process seamless, kindly log in to your account and settle your membership dues at your earliest convenience. (Thank you if you have already done so!) Your support is crucial in sustaining the vibrant community we’ve built together. Thank you for your ongoing commitment, and we look forward to shared experiences and opportunities.

Best Regards,

Sally Fienup

Executive Director

Webinars

In addition to our recorded September Learning Summit,

We have a library of recorded education webinars that are free for our members.

Listen to them here.

Exciting Opportunity Alert!

Are you passionate about sharing knowledge and making a positive impact?

📚✨ We’re thrilled to announce that we’re on the lookout for hosts and speakers for our ongoing educational Facebook Live series!

This is a totally separate series from the Patrick Accounting Podcast above. We are excited to support and promote both.

🎙️🤝

If you have a story to tell, expertise to share, or insights that can inspire, we want YOU!

Sign up now for a 30-minute segment where our Executive Director will interview you, giving you the platform to shine and connect with our engaged audience. (Must be an MRA member to participate.)

🚀🌈

👉 Ready to be part of something amazing? Click the link below to secure your spot and be a beacon of knowledge in our educational journey! 🚀👩‍🏫

Sign Up Now by clicking this link.

Let’s ignite curiosity, spark conversations, and empower each other through the magic of education! 🌐🔥

Associate Coffee Club

Associate and Vendor Members,

This event is for you! Network with others in the restaurant industry. We buy your cup of coffee.

Details:

Date: Thursday, August 1, 2024

Location: August 2024 location is The Memphian hotel.
Looking for restaurants to host us Nov 2024 and Feb 2025!

Time: 8a-9a

Bring your business cards and your elevator pitch! Tell us you’re coming here.

Save the Date – Wed, Oct 23, 2024

17th Annual Thomas Boggs Memorial Golf Tournament

You can sign up now!

Save the Date – Sunday, February 2025

Food Festival

Give a suggestion for a theme!

Please click here on “register“ (FOR FREE) to submit a suggestion for our 2025 theme!

As we gear up for our upcoming February 2025 food festival, we’re excited to invite you to contribute your ideas and suggestions for this year’s theme.

Your input is invaluable to us, and we believe that together, we can make this event truly memorable. Whether you have a specific theme in mind or simply wish to share your thoughts, we encourage you to participate.

You can submit your suggestions conveniently by clicking on the following link: LINK HERE. Alternatively, you can reply directly to this email with your ideas.

We appreciate your support and enthusiasm for our food festivals, and we look forward to seeing the creative themes you propose. Thank you for being a part of our community and helping us make this event a success.

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