Industry News
Phone2Action Alert: Labor & Industries Proposes Salary Threshold of up to $75,000!
Over the last six months, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has worked with stakeholders to update the “white collar” exemptions under the Minimum Wage Act for Executive,
Theme Restaurants: Making the leap from fad to fixture
Restaurants filled with pop-culture memorabilia, kitschy menus and gift shops were a driving force of dining trends in the 1980s and early 1990s. Part tourist attraction and part dining establishment, it seemed theme restaurants were everywhere. (Nation’s Restaurant News)
Report: US travel market remains strong
Marcus & Millichap reported a positive outlook for U.S. hotels as confidence remains high among both consumers and business owners. Marcus & Millichap this week released its Q3 2018 National Hospitality Report. According to the report, summer travel is expected to exceed last year’s numbers by 6 percent, which is expected to, in turn, continue boosting already high occupancies. (Lodging)
Chipotle taps Zenput to ensure food safety standards
Chipotle Mexican Grill plans to improve restaurant operations, including following its food safety protocols, through the deployment of Zenput. The San Francisco-based company’s software is primarily used by brands such as Domino’s Pizza, KFC, and 7-Eleven to audit restaurant operations remotely. (Nation’s Restaurant News)
How Hotels Need to Balance the Amenities We Want Versus Those We Actually Use
Our anticipated use of certain hotel amenities is often greater than our actual use, according to the findings of a new study from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration’s Center for Hospitality Research. More often than not, researchers found, guests expect to use certain amenities such as an alarm clock, spa, and in-room dining than they actually do use them. (Skift)
Paid Family & Medical Leave: Are You Ready? Join Our Webinar Sept. 26
With the start of the paid family & medical leave program set to begin on Jan. 1, 2019, the Washington Hospitality Association wants to make sure you have the information
NEWS: L&I proposes significant drop in workers’ comp rates for 2019
(The following press release was issued by L&I on Sept. 19, 2018) L&I proposes significant drop in workers’ comp rates for 2019 TUMWATER – The price of workers’ compensation insurance
Enter Gen Z: The new disruptors of food culture
Today’s teens are digital natives who are just beginning to develop brand loyalties and make the choice to buy groceries or dine out based on factors including price and location, writes Laurie Demeritt, CEO of The Hartman Group. Online ordering and delivery will play a growing role as Gen Z members grow up and take control of their own food spending. (SmartBrief)
How much the average American millennial, Gen Xer, and baby boomer spends each year eating out
Americans of all ages like to eat out from time to time, but Gen Xers tend to spend more on average at restaurants and on takeout than other generations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey tracks how households make and spend money. (Business Insider)
Classic Pilsner’s trendy again
For many beverages, it is impossible to identify their exact moment of creation, but not so with the style of beer known as Pilsner. We know exactly the moment it was born, the town in which it was brewed, the brewery that served as its incubator, as well as the team behind its vision. (Nation’s Restaurant News)
Wendy’s tries to ‘freeze out’ McDonald’s, again
The Wendy’s Co., whose same-store sales are lagging behind its chief burger rival, is pulling out the “fresh not frozen” card again, with an attack ad aimed at McDonald’s. In the ad released Sept. 8, Wendy’s names every burger McDonald’s makes with flash-frozen patties. (Nation’s Restaurant News)
In Carolinas, Hoteliers Help Others, Assess Damage from Florence
With catastrophic flooding forecast to continue for days, hotels in the Carolinas were assessing damage while offering discounts to Florence evacuees and making donations to relief efforts. The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association is coordinating a range of efforts, including the provision of transitional shelter. (Hotel Business)
Survey: RevPAR growth to continue, asset managers say
DENVER—Hospitality asset managers have a positive outlook for the near future, with more than 60% forecasting that seven to 18 months remain in the current RevPAR growth cycle. More than 90% see rising labor costs as an issue. (Hotel Business)
Springhill Suites hotel planned near Spokane Airport
A 109-room, $10 million hotel will be built near the Spokane International Airport, according to city permit records. Springhill Suites, as it will be called, will have an indoor swimming pool, outdoor patio, parking lot and a “porte cochere,” or carriage house. (Spokesman-Review)
How food makers, restaurant chains are cleaning up their labels
Restaurant chains and food makers of all sizes are increasingly cooking up food and drink recipes with a focus on health, nutrition and clean ingredients, to meet growing consumer demand. Annual lists for 2018 from a variety of sources counted health, wellness, sustainability and transparency among the hot food-and-beverage trends and clean-label initiatives are resonating with consumers. (SmartBrief)