Welcoming all kinds of people is the heart of hospitality, but unconscious bias on the part of employees, managers, or guests can damage your business’s reputation or ability to retain workers.

This topic is too important to settle for generic training.

Understanding Unconscious Bias, a new training suite developed in conjunction with the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA) and industry professionals, shines a light on this issue with realistic scenarios meaningful to your staff — the managers and employees in the hospitality and foodservice industries.

Failure to adequately manage incidents of Unconscious Bias can result in negative publicity via adverse social media posts and other viral content that threatens to harm businesses’ reputations and revenue.

Developed by the National Restaurant Association in conjunction with the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA) and industryprofessionals, this scalable, interactive training suite acts as a springboard to heighten the awareness of unconscious bias and to guide restaurant and hotel employees and managers in their interactions with guests and fellow employees.

Available for both Employee and Manager edition in both English and Spanish.  

Frequently Asked Questions:

Get answers to all of your questions about the course.

ServSafe Workplace

ServSafe Workplace is a suite of training programs rooted in the cultural and social issues affecting today’s restaurant and hospitality work environments. Leveraging ServSafe’s reputation for premiere risk-mitigation training, ServSafe Workplace focuses on ways for managers and employees to navigate the sometimes-difficult topics that face service-industry professionals.

Resources: Access additional resources that accompany the Understanding Unconscious Bias course.

Also available from ServSafe Workplace: Sexual Harassment Prevention in Hospitality

ADA Website Accessibility: How It Affects Your Business

No one wants to be on the receiving end of a lawsuit. However, over the course of the last several years' many businesses, especially those in the hospitality industry, have found this to be the case. And the reason is that their website wasn't compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Yes, it is true. There isn't enough time to review all the ins and outs of the situation, but here are some key facts to review. 
 
Who is getting sued?
Businesses with physical locations (Example: Restaurants) that have a website presence, but their websites are not built properly to meet Web ADA Standards. If your business has already received a demand letter or has been served with a lawsuit, consult an attorney immediately.

Why are these lawsuits happening? 
ADA law was written in 1990 and did not take into account the internet. The web accessibility lawsuits began back in 2000 when Bank of America became the first entity to settle a web-accessibility lawsuit. It was the first US agreement in which an institution committed to making its website accessible. 
 
Since then, companies both large and small have seen web accessibility lawsuits continue to increase rapidly over the years. These web accessibility lawsuits present a challenge for businesses because the Department of Justice has yet to issue any guidelines or regulations for website accessibility. In this absence of direction, courts nationwide have looked to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (“WCAG”), developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the global coalition that creates standards for the internet. In the majority of cases, the WCAG standards are the most comprehensive technical outline for web accessibility and are listed as the standard of which public-facing websites should follow. 
 
How can I protect myself?
Remember that a website is an ever-evolving entity, content may change, and users will come and go. This means that you will need to maintain a web accessibility plan as long as you have a customer-facing website. It is also important to note that a company can be sued repeatedly if the ADA Web infractions are not corrected, even after you have settled a previous lawsuit. For example, some companies have been sued as many as four times for website accessibility. 
 
You need to contact the person/company that built your website and have them make sure your website passes a Web ADA Scan/Test. If you don't have a web person, you’re welcome to contact the team at DigiPro Media. The key is to enter web ADA remediation as quickly as possible and have a remediation plan clearly posted on your website. 
 
How much time, effort and money will it take?
The cost of fixing a website varies drastically based on the complexity of the website. Sometimes it can cost thousands of dollars. However, DigiPro Media, a new alliance partner with the National Restaurant Association and the Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association, has built a solution called Adot Pro that can provide immediate protection to association members for less than $500.
 
You can purchase the ADA Pro discounted member solution today at www.adotpro.net/natrest. Or contact the DigiPro Media team at www.digipromedia.com/contact for more information.

Music Licensing Discounts

It's the law, so why not save money?

BMI represents the public performance rights in millions of musical works created and owned by hundreds of thousands of songwriters, composers, and music publishers. BMI negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public.

KRHA members can save up to 20% off their music licensing fees. [Learn More]

• 5% savings just for being a KRHA member
• 5% savings for paying your bill online
• 10% timely payment discount when you pay your bill within 30 days of invoice

Can I Just Pay One Performing Rights Organization?  

Good news from music licensing performing rights organization (PRO) BMI! It has always been challenging to determine if a song you want to play in your restaurant was affiliated with just one of the PROs (ASCAP, SESAC, GMR are the other companies). In the past, this meant that in order to avoid being in violation of federal copyright laws it was advisable to have agreements with the all of different PROs. 

BMI has put together a database of songs that were created entirely by BMI-affiliated songwriters, composers, and publishers. As a result, no other organization’s license covers these songs. 

With “Total BMI” you can now choose to only perform songs from these lists (sorted by genre) and will only need to secure a BMI license because the songs are 100% BMI-affiliated.  If you would like to learn more and view the list of songs included in the "Total BMI" list, give us a call at 316-267-8383 or email Lisa Graham at lgraham@krha.org to receive the username and password.  Click here to link to the portal.  

Exclusive Health Care Pricing and Solutions from UnitedHealthcare®

The Hospitality Associations Alliance, a strategic alliance platform created by the National Restaurant Association and UnitedHealth Group, offers exclusive solutions that benefit Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association (KRHA) members and their employees.  The Alliance provides guidance and solutions to help members navigate state and federal compliance areas, and features special offerings from industry-leading organizations such as UnitedHealthcare^®, Optum^®, and DigiPro Media.  

The Hospitality Associations Alliance program: 

• Provides access to more affordable health care solutions with members-only pricing.
  • Exclusive discounts on medical and specialty benefits from UnitedHealthcare. 

• Promotes and supports health and wellness in the hospitality industry.
  • Free National Restaurant Association Pharmacy Discount Card program for prescription savings (not insurance). 
  • Discounted Health Savings Account (HSA) from Optum.

• Helps members mitigate the risk of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) website accessibility lawsuits.
  • Exclusive discounts on website accessibility solutions from DigiPro Media.

For more information on the Hospitality Associations Alliance program, contact Amy Hathaway at amyhathaway@uhg.com.

Hospitality Associations Alliance product flyer.

A foodborne illness outbreak can be devastating to an operation, resulting in damaging media exposure, loss of sales, or the worst-case scenario that leads to death.  The average cost of an outbreak to an operation is $75,000 or more.  For most, this would be financially devastating.  It is important for operators to have good policies and procedures in place to help control your risk.  

Let’s start with your HR practices.  The Kansas Food Code requires licensees to educate all employees and conditional employees on diseases that could be transmitted to others through the handling of food.  Food employees are required to inform the person in charge of the following conditions and illnesses so appropriate steps can be taken to prevent the transmission of a foodborne illness.  Staff must report illnesses before coming to work or immediately if they get sick while working.

There are three ways to ensure that staff are educated on these practices.  Your HR process can include utilizing the FDA Model Food Code form 1-A, which outlines the requirements. This form would be included in the employee file.  You could also add information on this requirement to your onboarding process.  The final option would be to have a poster outlining the requirements in your operation. 

Staff must also report history of confirmed or suspected exposure to any reportable diagnosis.  The food code also requires the person in charge to notify Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) when an employee is diagnosed with a reportable diagnosis or has jaundice.  This is a priority violation from 2-201.11(A) of the Kansas Food Code.   

Ensuring proper food safety within your operation is no easy task.  Having processes and procedures in place will help you minimize the risk.  If you would like a copy of the FDA Model Food Code form or a poster that you could include in your operation, contact the KRHA office at 316-267-8383 or email ncarlson@krha.org 

Food Holidays - There Is Always A Reason To Celebrate!

Competing for the food dollar is a challenge.  Restaurants must find creative ways to attract new guests and bring back repeat business.  Creating marketing tactics around popular holidays such as Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day are common for our industry - but, are you taking advantage of other food holidays such as National Burger Day, National Ice Cream Day or National Tequila Day? 

According to the National Restaurant Association, 39% of all adults want to increase their restaurant frequency.  With food holidays there is always something to celebrate, and you can provide guests with the place to do it. 

Before you launch a promotion, it is important that you have a plan in place.  Look for an opportunity to promote your restaurant’s specialty dishes or items with higher profit margins. 

If you are going to use a food holiday in your promotions, here are a few suggestions to make it successful.

·

Have a plan

• Encourage people to plan ahead by promoting the holiday with a coupon they can bring back on their next visit. 
• Tie a gift card promotion to the holiday.  Research shows that most consumers spend 20% more than the value of the card. 
• Add a limited time menu item or promote a current menu item with high-profit margins. 

·

Take advantage of social media

• Having a plan will allow you to schedule posts in advance.
• Encourage user-generated content that everyone can get involved with.

Have fun

• Research hashtags for the day and include this in your promotion. 
• Include trivia or some history on the food holiday.
• Offer a special recipe they can make at home. 
• Promote a competition…who doesn’t enjoy a hot dog eating contest!
• Choose an offbeat holiday that gives you a chance to express your personality.

KRHA has tried to make it easy for you to identify National Food Days by creating National Day Calendars.  To stand out from the competition, consider building a marketing plan around a holiday your competitors are not celebrating.  Celebrate National Get Out of the Doghouse Day and tie it to a BOGO deal.  The key is to plan ahead, so you can determine what marketing mix and promotions work best for your operation.

Photo credit: BRGR Kitchen & Bar, College Hill Coffee, Little Lion Ice Cream, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburger, Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Nick and Jake’s, & Stroud’s

Annual Survey of Favorite Kansas Restaurants Reveals Kansan’s Love for Burgers & American Fare
Lawrence Again Ranks as City with Most Favorites

Everyone has a favorite place to grab a bite to eat, but which Kansas restaurants have the most fans? Each year, the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association (KRHA) conducts an online survey to find out. This years’ survey was completed by nearly 1,000 respondents across the state. They were asked one simple question, ‘What is your favorite Kansas-based restaurant?’ The results have been compiled and released as “Kansan’s Twenty Favorite Restaurants of 2018.”

“It’s inspiring to see so much support for Kansas restaurants,” said Adam Mills, CEO of KRHA. “One thing is certainly very clear; Kansan’s are loyal diners, as our top three favorites have made the list the last two years 

#1 - Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que Kansas City	#2 - Free State Brewing Company  Lawrence	#3 - The Burger Stand Lawrence & Topeka

The number one overall choice among Kansans, and one of three barbecue restaurants on the list was Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que . Second place went to the Lawrence staple, Free State Brewing Company, followed by its neighbor along Mass Street and Topeka favorite, The Burger Stand. The top five was rounded out by KC’s Jack Stack Barbecue and fast food favorite Spangles, based in Wichita and now found in cities across Kansas.
Lawrence remained the favorite foodie city in Kansas, with the most restaurants on the list with ten, followed closely by Kansas City with seven and Wichita with five.

In terms of cuisine, American food was the undisputed favorite served up by 16 of 20 top vote-getters. Among American food, burgers are the featured menu item at 7 of the top 16 favorites.

Click here for a printable version of the press release. 

The NRA is working to protect the ability of our members to entertain their guests through music, and preserve a functional marketplace that enables millions of businesses across the country to efficiently play and pay for publicly performed songs.

Today, they signed on to a coalition letter urging the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to maintain the “consent decrees” that govern the two largest performance rights organizations (PROs): the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Essentially, the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees require that each PRO grant performance-right licenses to play music on a non-discriminatory basis and at fair prices.

Due to recent comments by an Assistant Attorney General at the DOJ, the NRA has reason to believe that these consent decrees may soon be terminated. Such an action would exacerbate an already difficult and expensive music licensing system that restaurateurs already have difficulty navigating to simply play music for their guests.

They agree with the DOJ that Congress should enact reforms to update the current music-licensing process. In fact, NRA is meeting with U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (IL) this week to discuss legislation that will make music licensing more transparent for our members. However, if the DOJ simply abandoned the use of consent decrees before an alternative framework has been implemented, this could force many restaurateurs to stop playing music altogether or lead to steep fines for copyright infringement.

NRA plans to meet again with the DOJ to discuss the importance of preserving the consent decrees, and will continue engaging with Congress to develop a more transparent and fair music-licensing system. 

JOIN ONE • JOIN ALL

Membership in KRHA also provides you membership with the NRA.

With some of our industry's most significant challenges arising at the state and local levels, dual membership allows us to strengthen our advocacy efforts and bolster our industry's impact at every level of government.  

More than 120 students representing high schools from across the state demonstrated their mastery of restaurant & hospitality leadership skills in the fast-paced, Kansas ProStart Invitational.   

“ProStart students belong to a very special group that we call ‘ProStart Nation. These young adults represent the future of our industry.” said Neely Carlson, KRHA’s vice president of education and training.  “Since launching ProStart 17 years ago, more than half-a-million students have graduated from the program across the country.  In Kansas, ProStart is impacting over 2500 students this school year.”

The Kansas ProStart Invitational is a highlight of the Restaurant Management Program (ProStart) curriculum sponsored by KRHAEF. Each year, the event grows and allows students to compete in two major categories — each of which requires intensive culinary and management skills. 

Winners of the 2018 Kansas ProStart Invitational include:

Culinary
1st – Olathe Public Schools
2nd – Wichita Heights High School 
3rd – Broadmoor Bistro, Shawnee Mission Schools 
4th – Maize High School

Each team in the culinary event had one hour to demonstrate their creative abilities by preparing a three-course meal that was then judged by professionals from the foodservice industry. Teams are evaluated on taste, teamwork, safety, and sanitation, among other skills.  

Management
1st – Olathe Public Schools
2nd – Wichita Heights High School
3rd – Garden City High School
4th – Maize High School

Teams participating in the management competition were tested on their communication skills, as well as their ability to apply their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry by developing a business proposal for a new restaurant concept. 

While the culinary and management competitions qualify the winning teams for a spot at the National ProStart event, there are several additional competitions that allow other students to showcase their skills and talents. 

Edible Centerpiece
1st –  Olathe Public Schools
2nd –  Wichita North High School
3rd –  Abilene High School

Students in the edible centerpiece competition demonstrate their creative abilities by carving fruits and vegetables to create an edible work of art.

Top Knife Cuts:  
Natalie - Eisenhower High School
Riley – Olathe Public Schools
Sydnee – Wichita Heights High School

The 1st place team in the culinary and management competitions advanced on to represent Team Kansas at the National ProStart Invitational held in Providence, RI from April 27-30.

Top teams have the opportunity to earn scholarships at both the state and national level, allowing students to continue their education in culinary or hospitality management.  The KRHAEF and its programs work to attract, empower and advance tomorrow’s restaurant and hospitality workforce.  Past Kansas ProStart Invitational winners have gone on to establish a career at the French Laundry (California), Freestyle Poke (Kansas City), Thirsty Lion Gastropub (Denver), and Wichita South High School (teacher).



About ProStart
ProStart provides aspiring restaurateurs and chefs an in-depth assessment of the food and beverage industry. Designed for high school juniors and seniors, students must pass two comprehensive exams and complete 400 internship hours during the course of the curriculum. Those who successfully complete these programs can earn national certificates and qualify for scholarships to continue their education.

The restaurant industry has worked tirelessly to oppose the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) overreach on the definition of a joint employer. We must urge the Senate to introduce and pass legislation to restore the joint-employer standard that existed before the NLRB's intervention. 

Click here to urge your Senators to support this legislation

The Issue:
On February 26, the NLRB reversed its previous ruling that overturned the overreaching joint-employer standard. It was determined that one of the NLRB commissioners should have recused himself from the case due to a conflict of interest. 

As a result, the ruling expands the joint-employer standard to anyone who exercises indirect, potential, or unexercised reserved control over workers’ terms and conditions of employment, such as hiring, firing, determining pay, or supervising employees on a routine basis.

The Solution:
In 2017, the House passed H.R. 3441, the Save Local Business Act, to amend the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act to clarify that two or more employers must have “actual, direct, and immediate” control over their employees to be considered joint employers. Now, we need the Senate to support immediate consideration of H.R. 3441 to write a permanent, federal joint-employment liability standard into law.

What Can You Do?: 
Click here and contact your Senators today. Tell them to introduce and pass the Save Local Business Act.

Consider KRHA endorsed provider, State Auto for all your business coverage needs. 
A property casualty program specifically for KRHA members.   

• Quality insurance protection with competitive, stable pricing
• Annual dividend potential - up to 12% of earned premiums
• Access via independent agents representing State Auto
• 24-hour claims service
• Online access to various loss control training materials including model safety programs

Learn more about the KRHA Property/Casualty Dividend Program

Brad Mawhiney presenting KRHA a check in the amount of $62,367 being returned to our
2017 member policyholders.  Pictured left to right: Jessica Manny, Adam Mills, Brad Mawhiney
and Christine Scharnhorst.

To help business owners protect their assets, KRHA and State Auto Insurance offer a program with Wally, a smart technology company, to provide members with exclusive offers on products that monitor your food storage and will alert you of potential problems. Even better, using Wally provides the opportunity to take advantage of potential special policy discounts! 

What is Wally?
Wally is a complete water, temperature, and humidity monitoring solution that instantly informs you of potentially hazardous changes to an indoor environment—including changes in temperature and humidity, left open doors and windows, frozen pipes or water leaks—through local and mobile alerts delivered directly to you and your preferred contacts. Wally uses small wireless sensors inside food storage units that communicate back to a central hub connected to your internet through WiFi or Ethernet. Wally is simple to install and requires no monthly fees!

Learn more about how Wally works and what it can do for your business

Save on your food & lodging license renewal by paying online!   The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), the agency that administers food and lodging establishment licenses, is working to make renewing your license as easy as possible.

Emails with renewal information have been sent to the email addresses on file.  If you have not received an email, it is possible that they have they do not have an email or have an incorrect email on file.  Paper renewals will be mailed in late February. Remember that renewing your license online doesn’t have any service charges. However, starting this license year, renewing by paper will require a service fee of 4% of the license fee.

To pay for the 2017/18 license renewals on-line go to Renewals and click on 'New Account' prior to April 30th.

If you forget to renew by March 31, you can still bring your license current for an additional $25 fee. But, if you don’t renew by April 30, you will have to pay the application fee and possibly face additional civil penalties for operating without a license.

As of the 2017/18 license year, you will receive an e-mail containing your license, at the email address listed in the business account information.  You will need to print this license and post it where it is visible to the public.  If you do not have an email address, your license will be printed on a daily basis from the KDA office.  Please allow 7-10 days to receive it.

Please contact the program at (785) 564-6767 or KDA.FSL@ks.gov if you have additional questions. 

If you have tipped employees, ask yourself the following questions.

•  Do you Tip Pool or Tip Share in your business?
• Are your servers receiving the “tip credit” wage of $2.13 per hour? 
• Does your tip pool include back of the house employees? 
• Is tip pooling required? If it is voluntary, is there a perceived policy where staff “feels like” they have to participate?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to Keep Reading!

The following article provides an overview of current regulation and proposed changes from the Department of Labor (DOL).  If you want to let government officials know how you feel about proposed changes to tip pooling, please follow the link to leave your comments and read what others have to say.  

Operators should confirm that their policies meet DOL requirements to avoid significant fines from an audit.   Recent audits have resulted in fines of $20,000 to over $100,000.  Ensuring compliance begins with understanding what is and is not allowed under current law.  

Current Law:
The DOL has issued the following guidelines concerning the application of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to employees who receive tips.

Fact Sheet #15: Tipped Employees Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Tipped employees are those who customarily and regularly receive more than $30 per month in tips.  Tips are the property of the employee.  The employer is allowed to use the tip as a credit against its minimum wage obligation to the employee “tip credit” or in a valid tip pool. 

Tip Credit: Section 3(m) of the FLSA permits an employer to take a tip credit towards its minimum wage obligation for tipped employees equal to the difference between the required cash wage (which must be at least $2.13) and the federal minimum wage.  Thus, the maximum tip credit that an employer can currently claim under the FLSA is $5.12 per hour (the minimum wage of $7.25 minus the minimum required cash wage of $2.13).   The employer is also required to provide oral or written notice to their employees before using the tip credit.  

Tip Pool: The requirement that an employee must retain all tips does not preclude a valid tip pooling or sharing arrangements among employees who customarily and regularly receive tips, which as waiters, waitresses, bellhops, counter personnel (who serve customers), bussers, and service bartenders.  A valid tip pool may not include employees who do not customarily and regularly received tips, such as dishwashers, cooks, chefs, and janitors.  

Typical problems:

• Where an employee does not receive sufficient tips to make up the difference between the direct (or cash) wage payment (which must be at least $2.13 per hour) and the minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.
• Where deductions for walk-outs, breakage, cash register shortages, or cost of uniforms reduce the employee’s wages below the minimum wage, such deductions are illegal.  
• When a tipped employee is required to contribute to a tip pool that includes employees who do not customarily and regularly receive tips, the employee is owed the full $7.25 minimum wage and reimbursement of the amount of the tips that were improperly utilized by the employer.  
  

Proposed Law:
On December 5, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor published a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) regarding the tip regulations.  

Under the proposed rule, workplaces would have the freedom to allow sharing of tips among more employees.  This change would only apply where employers pay a full minimum wage and do not take a tip credit. It would allow sharing of tips through a tip pool with employees who do not traditionally receive direct tips – such as restaurant cooks and dishwashers.  The proposal would not affect current rules applicable to employers that claim a tip credit under the FLSA.  

The Department of Labor promulgated tip regulations in 2011 that restricted this option. Since 2011, there has been a significant amount of litigation involving the tip pooling and tip retention practices of employers that pay a direct cash wage of at least the federal minimum wage and do not claim an FLSA tip credit.  There has also been litigation directly challenging the Department’s authority to promulgate the provisions of the 2011 regulations that restrict sharing of tips.

This NPRM seeks the views of the public on the proposed rescission of those portions of the regulations.  The 30-day comment period for the NPRM was originally scheduled to end on January 4, 2018. However, on December 15, 2017, the Department published a notice in the Federal Register extending this comment period for an additional 30 days, to February 5, 2018. You may submit comments on or before February 5, 2018, at www.regulations.gov or by following the instructions listed in the NPRM as published in the Federal Register.

The content of this article was taken from United States Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.  

Congress gave American brewers an early Christmas present with the passage of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA), which lowers the federal excise tax for breweries, wineries and distilled spirits producers. Passage of the Act is expected to produce $142 million in savings for America’s brewers including $80 million in savings for breweries producing under 6 million barrels annually.

For the first time, the associations that champion beer, wine and distilled spirts rallied together to lobby for lowering the tax burdens imposed on the industry. Championed by Congressional members including Roy Blunt (R-Mo), the Act provides federal excise tax relief to smaller brewers specifically with:

• Lowering the federal excise tax on beer to $3.50/barrel from $7.00/barrel on the first 60,000 barrels for domestic brewers producing less than 2 million barrels annually. All other brewers and beer importers will see a reduction on the excise tax from $18/barrel to $16/barrel on the first 6 million barrels.

• Permitting transfer of beer between bonded brewing facilities without tax liability.

As accountants and consultants to the brewery and brew pub/restaurant industry, we help clients understand how the passage of the CBMTRA will impact them and also work with them to gain the most benefit from the Tax Act .  If you have questions about the impact of this recent change, please contact us.

You can learn more about how we help entrepreneurial brewers with payroll, business and tax advice at mizehouser.com/brewers.  

Ken Hite, CPA, Shareholder, Mize Restaurant Group

The Internal Revenue Service released updated Forms 1094-C and 1095-C for employers to report 2017 information to the IRS and employees under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The forms must be filed by February 28, 2018 (for paper filers) and April 2, 2018 (for electronic filers). Employers with more than 50 full-time-equivalent employees use the forms to report information on offers of health care coverage and enrollment in health care coverage for their employees. Get the IRS's instructions.

Hall of Fame
      Δ Scott Redler - Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Restaurateur of the Year
     Δ John Arnold - Deano's Grill & Tapworks, Greystone Steak and Seafood, and Oak & Pie
     Δ Larry & Judy Doss - Walt's East
     Δ Patrick & Timirie Shibley - Doo-Dah Diner 
     Δ Ken & Carol Hertel - Barn'rds 
     Δ Brent Steven and Brad Steven - Wine Dive,The Hill Bar & Grill, and Industry Old Town

Hotelier of the Year 
     Δ Adrian Potter - Abilene's Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast
     Δ Mike Aaron - La Quinta Inn & Suites Wichita Airport

Allied Partner of the Year 
     Δ Mize Houser & Company - Mize Restaurant Group
     Δ Sysco Kansas City - Todd Hanna 
     Δ Heartland Payment Systems -Patrick Schreiner

Heart of the Industry - New! Recognize an outstanding employee who exemplifies dependability, teamwork and dedication to the industry. 
     Δ Michael Brown - Mr. Goodcents
     Δ Angela Morris - Warren Theater

Hot New Concept - New! This annual award will recognize a restaurant concept that is a forward-thinking brand at the leading edge of foodservice and positioned for growth.
     Δ Mass Street Fish House
     Δ Meddy's
     Δ Merchant Street Pub
     Δ Oak & Pie
     Δ Shindigs
     Δ Vista Food Truck

Kansas Craft Brewers Guild - New!  This annual award will recognize one of the top brewers in Kansas.
     Δ Winner.....To Be Announced!

ProStart Mentor of the Year 
     Δ David Priest – Bonefish Grill 

ProStart Teacher of the Year 
     Δ LaDena Laha - Eisenhower High School 

The event benefits the professional development of youth and rising leaders in our industry, with all proceeds being donated to the Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association Educational Foundation. 

VIP Tickets - $75
We have a limited number of reserved tables in the VIP seating area.  With perks such as reserved seating, microbrew tasting, private bar, gourmet food samplings, and a gift basket that will go to one lucky winner at each of the VIP tables.  These tickets are a great value and will sell out quickly.

General Admission Tickets - $40
Includes admission to the event, open bar, gourmet food samplings, microbrew tasting, and open seating.

{Register to Attend}

The SBA Office of Advocacy will be hosting a Regulatory Reform Roundtable in Overland Park, Kansas on September 14. We wanted to be sure any of your small business clients are aware of this opportunity to speak directly to the federal government about federal regulations impacting their business.

The purpose of these roundtables is to help us identify specific regulatory barriers to small business growth through first-hand testimony and thereby assist federal agencies in complying with the President’s directive to eliminate burdensome regulations.  

For more details click here.

On August 1, 2017, you might notice a change to Kansas issued driver licenses or identification cards.  Due to the Real ID Act passed by Congress in 2005, the federal government established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.  The Real ID Act is a coordinated effort by the states and the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of state-issued identification documents, which should inhibit terrorists’ ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification. 

Kansas Real ID compliant cards will contain a gold circle with a star cut out symbol printed in the top third of the card on the front right side.  This symbol indicates the card meets the Real ID Act requirements effective October 1, 2020.  After this date, every traveler will need a Real ID compliant driver’s license or identification card, or another acceptable form of identification to board an airplane or enter a designated federal facility within the U.S.

The new format should not change processes for checking ID’s, but be sure to educate your staff on the variations.  All the information on the driver’s license or identification card will still be the same, such as age, date of birth, height, etc.  The Real ID symbol will allow a Kansas resident to board a plan after Oct 1, 2020.   Those without the symbol will have to use another form of identification.  All driver’s licenses and identification cards will be valid no matter what indication before October 1, 2020.  If you are using the I.D. Checking guide that many operations reference, to confirm the validity of ID’s, it will be updated and contain the new information in the 2018 guide. 

More information about the REAL ID Act can be found at www.dhs.gov/real-id.  You can also download the Kansas Department of Revenue flyer to educate your staff on the changes.  

Your operation offers delicious food, desired amenities, and amazing service, but a pest problem can ruin the experience for your guests and can harm your business reputation.  Hospitality properties have many of the things that pests love – food, moisture, frequently opened doors, foot traffic and shipments coming in.  Without a commercial pest control partner, it can be a challenge to keep pests out of your establishment.  By recognizing the risk and taking proactive measure , you can minimize the risk of unwanted pests.

Restaurants or Bars: Where there is food, there are also pests.

•  Keep food covered and properly stored.
•  Carefully inspect all boxes of food and alcohol that come into the facility for pest waste or bite marks.
•  Store all food and supplies at least six inches off the floor and away from walls.  Use FIFO to rotate products, so pests do not have time to settle into them and breed.
•  Cover all liquor bottles and frequently wipe down barstools, tables and chairs to remove any sticky reside that attracts fruit flies, such as beer or fruity mixers.  Also wash bar mats and beer drip trays in soapy water. 
•  Wipe down soda guns and beer taps.  You should also cap open bottles and fruit trays before storing them.
•  Store recyclables in clean, pest-proof containers and as far away from your building as regulations allow. 
•  Throw out garbage quickly.  Outdoor containers should be kept covered and indoor containers should be washed regularly.
•  Be extra vigilant with all cleaning tasks.  Clean up food and beverage spills immediately, including crumbs and scraps. 
•  Be sure to clean frequently behind and under appliances and furniture, and have a regular schedule for wiping down cabinet shelves and food storage areas where crumbs and residue can gather. 
•  Keep drains and grease traps clean and free of debris.

Outdoor Areas: To help keep pests from coming into your operation, reduce outside risks as well.

•  Have the grass mowed regularly, tree branches cut and shrubbery trimmed away from the building.
•  Inspect the walls for gaps, cracks or crevices that should be sealed to help prevent pest entry.
• Check door and window seals and weather stripping for signs of wear and tear.
• If you have an outdoor eating area, keep it clean and free of standing water.
• Remove unnecessary items that can provide harborage areas for pest and rodents. 

Swimming Pool: With its endless standing water supply and warm, moist environment, a pool is an ideal hangout for pests. 

•  Remove any standing water on the pool deck daily and more frequently if needed.  This will not only help remove mosquito breeding grounds but avoid surfaces guests can slip and fall on.
•  Warm climates can attract cockroaches and rodents.  Check for leaks around indoor pools and whirlpools.
• Throw out any unattended food.  Trash cans should be lined, covered and regularly cleaned to prevent food debris from building up.
• Monitor and inspect pump room for standing water and be sure drains are kept filled with water.  

Fitness & Spa Centers: Many spas and fitness centers create a humid environment that is inviting to pests.

•  Installing an odor eliminating system.
•  Wipe down equipment and mop up any liquids
• Regularly removing used wash towels will help keep moisture levels down.

The hospitality industry presents unique challenges when it comes to pest control.  That is why it is crucial to work with a pest control company that understands your needs.  Your pest control company should utilize the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach and focuses on pest prevention, not just control. 

We encourage you to connect with KRHA allied partners that provide pest protection services.  They understand how harmful sightings of pest can be for your operation.  Their highly trained staff will provide your business with the technical services to maintain preventative control of pests.  

	Ecolab Pest Elimination Tim Barlow - tim.barlow@ecolab.com 800-325-1671 www.ecolab.com
	PrestoX Pest Control Stephen Mariotti - stephen.mariotti@prestox.com 316-312-1173 www.prestox.com
	Schendel Pest Services Amber Smith - amber.smith@pestzero.com 785-233-3332 www.schendelpest.com

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Delano restaurant owners say they’re scared, after one of their own was shot while at work.

Wednesday, Wichita police met with almost a dozen owners to talk safety in the normally quiet area.

It was a packed house at Delano barbecue as neighborhood restaurant owners talked safety.

“It’s been a trend in the industry for quite a while, that we’ve always concerned ourselves with,” said Adam Mills, CEO of Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association.

Business owners say there’s been an uptick in crime here in the Delano area. Mills and his team want to make sure the restaurant owners are aware.

“What kind of steps and actions can we take to if not eliminate the risk, lower it,” explained Mills.

Which is why the Wichita Police Department had several officers here at the BBQ joint, in an effort to build a relationship with employers.

Officers like Sgt. Steve Yarberry shared multiple ways these business owners can help prevent armed robberies like the one at Ruben’s Mexican Grill that happened last month.

He tells them to look into increasing security, make sure to keep the back doors locked at all times, even when employees are coming in and out and be on your guard especially during closing time.

“The police department knew Ruben very well, so when that occurred it even shocked our department,” said Yarberry.

But like many others, Yarberry sees the silver lining.

“When bad things like that happen, there has to be a positive out of it, and I think today was a positive because maybe we can prevent that from happening in the future or do something that maybe we can’t have that kind of outcome down the road,” answered Yarberry.

“This being spurred with what happened to Ruben down the street has really raised a lot of awareness with what’s going on,” stated Jon Suddent, Owner of Delano BBQ.

Suddeth says he’s thankful Wichita police is having this conversation with them.

“We’ve tried to make the staff more aware of what they’re doing at the end of the night as far as propping doors open when they run trash and do things like that,” said Suddeth.

Though Suddeth hopes nothing bad happens to him or the rest of his neighbors, he says he’s now prepared for the worst.

Another tip from officers, don’t have pictures or signs covering your windows, because if something is happening inside this restaurant, no one from the outside could see it.

WPD Meets with Delano Restaurant Owners video clip

Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association (KRHA), conducts an annual online survey of 500 Kansans for its Kansas Best Restaurants survey.

Last June, we polled 500 Kansans to find out what they thought was the best local restaurant in the state. The results were #1 – Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, #2 – Free State Brewery, and #3 – The Burger Stand.

This month we asked another 500 Kansans to name their favorite Kansas -based restaurants. Here are the results of our 2017 Best Restaurants in Kansas survey.

#1 Free State Brewing Company	#2 Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que	#3 TIE: 715 and Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue

KRHA member and Lawrence staple, Free State Brewing Company surpassed Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que this year as the number one choice. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, also a member of KRHA, took second place, while Lawrence based KRHA member 715 tied for third with Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue. KRHA member Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers rounded out the top four. Other favorite Kansas restaurants included KRHA member Rowhouse Restaurant in Topeka as well as Gella's Diner in Hays and The Mad Greek in Lawrence. Wheatfield's, The Cozy Inn and Merchant's Pub & Plate, all of which are KRHA members, rounded out the top eleven.

“We pick our favorites based on outstanding food, service, loyalty, or the experience. Kansas boasts a wealth of restaurants to suite everyone’s taste, and we encourage you to try them all,” said Adam Mills, President & CEO of KRHA. “Restaurants are often the heart of local communities, where families and friends gather to share good times and where they turn to in time of need. We are proud to support the industry that generates jobs and boosters the economy.”

A few more restaurants that made the survey list that are worth noting include Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant, Brookville Hotel, Genovese Italian Restaurant, Ladybird Diner, Paisano’s Ristorante, Taco Shop, and India Palace.

Although we asked for the favorite Kansas based restaurant, a few respondents listed their favorite chain restaurants, which included McDonald’s, Applebee’s, Texas Road House and Longhorn Steakhouse.

Click here for a printable version of the press release.

If you pay $5,000-$7,000 annually to Kansas Gas Service (KGS) for natural gas, you may qualify for an optional service that provides 18-20 percent relief in your cost of gas.  Best of all, there are no changes to infrastructure or expenses to participate.  If KGS is your natural gas utility, a recent change in their tariff options opens the door for you to qualify for lower natural gas rates through a third-party supplier.  Qualifying KRHA members that have recently taken advantage of the program are seeing reduced cost for their natural gas of 18 to 20 percent.

What is the program and how does it work?

If you are paying the full retail rate, your business is classified as a “Sales Gas Customer” by KGS.  Qualified businesses may move to a transportation rate.  The program known as Transportation, is an optional service where your third party natural gas marketer is responsible to deliver gas to KGS on your behalf.  That gas is then picked up by KGS and delivered to you, as it has been in the past.  You remain a customer of KGS.  The only difference – your natural gas is supplied to KGS by a third party marketer and KGS moves that gas to you on their system.  You continue to pay KGS for the movement of the gas on their system along with the monthly meter fee.

Why do commercial and industrial customers take advantage of the program?

The savings program has been around for more than 25 years and has been available to the largest commercial and industrial users of natural gas.  Your marketer will usually charge based on a market index plus an adder to cover the cost of moving the gas to KGS on the same interstate pipelines.  The spread between the total cost of gas from KGS and the Index plus adder becomes your savings. The blue area highlighted in the table below illustrates the Base Cost of Gas from KGS along with the applicable adjustments and charges provided in their Cost of Gas Rider, Weather Normalization Adjustment Rider and Ad Valorem Tax Surcharge Rider. These charges drop off when you move to transportation service.

 Source: https://www.kansasgasservice.com/#/rateinformation-tariffs

Who may participate in the program?

Annual usage of more than 800 MCF of natural gas qualifies a commercial or industrial customer.  Meters on contiguous properties may be consolidated to qualify for the program.  The short answer, if you have paid pay $5,000-$7,000 annually to KGS for natural gas you will most likely qualify.  If you have meters that are side by side, across the street or next door to each other they may be combined to qualify for the program.

You have a member partner that has worked with other KRHA businesses.

 CenterPoint Energy, in business for 130+ years, serves a wide range of commercial and industrial customers in Kansas and Missouri along with 31 other states, with transport natural gas.  Our customers include Cessna, Spirit Aero Systems, and Wesley Hospital to name a few.  Want to know if you qualify for the program—without charge?  Reach out to Marc Caine marc.caine@centerpointenergy.com 316.312.2937 or Anne McGregor anne.mcgregor@centerpointenergy.com 816.590.4755 for details.