MICHIGAN RESTAURANT AND LODGING ASSOCIATION

There is a new push to slow Michigan’s minimum wage hike for tipped workers after a bill was introduced on Tuesday.

A significant decision out of the Michigan Court of Claims that could potentially put a $12 an hour minimum wage into effect and require paid sick leave.

Half of all full-service restaurants have introduced QR code menus since March 2020, according to the National Restaurant Association. Like a square barcode, QR codes contain data that can be scanned to take someone directly to a website. One component of that is the implementation of technology in day-to-day operations,” said the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association in a statement. “Now that does not mean that someone can’t make a malicious QR code and slap it over top the good one.”When scanning a QR code, officials suggest double checking the website and being cautious about entering personal information. QR code menus are easy, cost effective and allow restaurants to make quick updates.

Restaurants have suffered throughout the entire COVID pandemic and this recent omicron surge is also hurting business.

Restaurants have suffered throughout the entire COVID pandemic and this recent omicron surge is also hurting business.

Have you been to one of your favorite restaurants lately and noticed a burned-out, understaffed group of workers? They’re not alone.

Most Michigan restaurant and hotel owners aren’t in favor of mask and vaccine mandates, new survey data from the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association shows. It included 320 responses from restaurant and hotel operators in Michigan, who run about 1,000 locations across the state. But 11.5% of Michigan restaurant and hotel operators surveyed would support such a policy in Michigan. It works best for businesses with vaccine-conscious clientele who only going places where they know everybody is vaccinated, Winslow said. Winslow anticipates the labor shortage will improve in September, as summer hospitality jobs are no longer needed and the temporary federal unemployment benefits expire.

Michigan is lifting all of its COVID restrictions for capacity, masks and gatherings next week.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer officially revealed Michigan’s new accelerated timeline Thursday for eliminating COVID restrictions and returning to normal.

Michigan is getting nearly $6 billion in stimulus funds from the American Rescue Plan, and the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association wants the state to spend $1 billion of that on the hospitality industry. The group announced a proposal Monday calling on the state to use the funds to help restaurants make up for their pandemic losses. Proposed forms of aid include incentives for people booking events and meetings in Michigan, property tax relief for businesses, rebates for safety upgrades like new HVAC systems and hiring bonuses for employees. $50 million: Hiring bonuses for hospitality employees hired or rehired since March 11. Under this plan, the hiring bonuses would only go to employers paying 125% of the minimum wage or tipped minimum wage.

Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday the assistance grants were made through the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation’s Employee Assistance Grants program. Whitmer signed a $45 million bipartisan budget that supports the grant program in late 2020, according to the state. “Michigan’s restaurant and hotel employees need help,” Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, said in a release. The MRLA administered the grants on behalf of the state but didn’t tell denied applicants specifically why they were rejected. Michigan loses estimated 60,000 leisure, hospitality jobs in DecemberCOVID-19 shutdowns don’t have long-term effect on jobs, study finds

LANSING, Mich. – Tuesday’s announcement that Michigan restaurants are able to increase their indoor dining capacity comes as good news for establishments that have now had to deal with two shutdowns since the pandemic started. “Today (Tuesday), we are announcing that restaurants and bars can operate at 50% capacity. READ: Michigan loosens COVID restrictions on restaurants -- here are all the detailsAd“It’s encouraging, it’s very encouraging,” said Nikola’s BBQ manager, Velko Milosevich. “I’m just hopeful by summer, things will return to normal. The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association issued a statement on the updated restriction:

The Michigan Legislature passed $45 million in funding in December to give $1,650 grants to laid-off hospitality workers. The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association administered the grants on behalf of the state, but didn’t tell denied applicants specifically why they were rejected. Denied applicants like Hinsberg took to social media with their frustration – many unsure why they were denied. There were some clearly fraudulent attempts at getting the money, Smith said. Applicants who didn’t get an email or want more clarification on why they were denied can call 517-377-3938 or email grants@mrla.org.

Frustrated that restaurants are still at 25% capacity for indoor dining, the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) released a plan to get restaurants back on stable financial ground that uses COVID positivity rates to determine restaurant density. Michigan’s current COVID positivity rate is just over 3%, which according to the plan from MRLA, would allow for 50% density. MRLA CEO Justin Winslow said restaurants that have reopened under the current 25% rule are doing it primarily to remind customers that they are still open. READ: 11 takeaways from Whitmer’s COVID update: Variant spreading, Michigan vaccinations, relief moneyAdAmato said the restaurant is more than a small business to her. “I think it’s time and this industry is owed some more concrete planning from the administration that can be driven by data.”READ MORE:

Still, the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association has crafted a proposal for restrictions based on coronavirus testing statistics. The MRLA proposed an “economic reintegration strategy” Wednesday, Feb. 17, which would base reopenings on the percentage of Michigan COVID-19 tests coming back positive. The MRLA proposes the following benchmarks and restrictions:Test percentage above 15% over 14 days: Restaurants close, gatherings limited to 10 people and two households. But she added that if Michiganders want to raise capacity at restaurants, they need to keep helping COVID-19 numbers decline. The MRLA is also pushing Michigan to allow restaurant workers to move up in line for vaccine eligibility.

Michigan restaurants can reopen inside again, but the state has mandated restrictions in hopes of keeping dining rooms from becoming COVID-19 superspreading hubs. Two of the requirements include collecting information from customers for contact tracing purposes and doing a daily health screening on all employees. New technology from Midland-based company BYOD helps restaurants do both. BYOD has partnered with the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association to give its Guest Protect and Temp Protect technologies to all MRLA members for free. It pivoted to creating the contact tracing and health screening tools when the pandemic hit.

A state grant for workers laid off because of Michigan’s the latest partial shutdown of the economy are unlikely to get the maximum $1,650 because of the high number of applicants. About 90,000 people applied for the Employee Assistance Grants, according to the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association – which has been tasked with handing out the money. Instead of picking and choosing who gets the money, the MRLA will split up the grant money evenly among everybody who’s eligible, up to $1,650 per person. But if all 90,000 applicants are eligible – which the MRLA said is unlikely – each person would get about $500. To be eligible, people must have been laid off after Nov. 18 because of Michigan’s partial shutdown due to COVID-19.

The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association is making one final push in hopes of convincing Michigan leaders to reopen indoor seating sooner. Within the first few hours, 2,000 people utilized it, asking state leaders to reopen restaurants. Michigan leaders have said they’re looking at three numbers when considering health orders: Cases, hospitalizations and percentage of tests coming back positive. “The number is not zero, of what your potential risk is for dining out at a restaurant,” Winslow said. The industry has been “callously” left aside in Michigan, Winslow said.

Michigan workers laid off because of the latest COVID-19 shutdown are eligible for grants of up to $1,650 through a $45 million program approved by the Legislature and Gov. There’s enough money to distribute more than 25,000 grants to Michigan workers. “These grants are a step in the right direction to financially assist these laid-off workers.”Michigan’s latest COVID-19 partial shutdown order started Nov. 18. This is the third time laid-off workers in Michigan are eligible for grants since the pandemic started – however there’s much more money in the pot this time. The MRLA distributed state money in April and September to laid-off workers, but had less than a combined $3 million to give out.

click to enlarge Evan Gonzalez, Detroit Stock CityInside of Townhouse Detroit, a bar and restaurant located in Ally Detroit Center. The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) has been diligent in their fight to get support for the tens of thousands of restaurants in the state who are struggling financially amid the coronavirus pandemic.Justin Winslow, the president of the MRLA, released a statement on the state and federal COVID-19 relief bills. In it, he expressed gratitude on behalf of his members for finally passing critically needed aid.“As we begin our arc towards more sunlight on this winter solstice, Michigan’s beleaguered restaurants and hotel operators received the first pieces of good news in some time, giving all of us hope that brighter days lie ahead,” Winslow said.“We are thankful to the Michigan legislature, which put partisan politics aside to pass a much-needed stimulus package that will provide direct and meaningful relief to those in this industry most impacted by the extended second shutdown.”“We applaud our leaders in Congress who accomplished the same feat today by passing the second largest stimulus package in the history of the United States. While the final compromise did not include every priority championed by the hospitality industry, no one in 2020 is in a position to make perfect the enemy of the good.”The statement notes that a more flexible expansion of the Paycheck Protection Program will be welcome news for millions of entrepreneurs right here in our state. Further, the expanded utilization of funds, flexibility for the deduction of expenses, and industry-specific eligibility for funding is a welcome addition in the new package.“There is a lot of good in the final compromise that will save jobs and save many restaurants and hotels from closing their doors forever," Winslow said.The MRLA warned that without additional aid, one-third of Michigan restaurants would be forced to close within six months.

The lawsuit challenging Michigan’s restaurant dine-in ban will be dropped, with both sides agreeing to dismiss the case. An official from Maloney’s office couldn’t say whether Maloney can still send certifying questions to the Michigan Supreme Court. The latest dine-in ban started Nov. 18 and was only supposed to last three weeks. There were 65 active Michigan COVID-19 outbreaks tied to restaurants and bars at the start of the dine-in ban. Michigan restaurants weren’t allowed to offer indoor dining for nearly two months this spring when the pandemic first hit.

As Michigan’s latest partial shutdown nears the one-month mark, a new survey of Michigan restaurant owners shows a grim outlook for the coming months. A Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association survey of 175 restaurant owners shows 48% are considering closing down until the COVID-19 pandemic ends. High costs and low revenues are putting a strain on the entire industry, said MRLA President and CEO Justin Winslow. The forced closure of in-person dining at Michigan restaurants was announced Nov. 15 and started Nov. 18. The latest Michigan shutdown correlates with a decline in state consumer spending, per data from tracktherecovery.org.

click to enlarge Evan Gonzalez, Detroit Stock CityHeirloom Hospitality Group, which owns the Townhouse restaurants in Detroit and Birmingham, signed onto a lawsuit against MDHHS over its new COVID-19 orders. "While it will take several years and a stable economy to reclaim the size, impact and opportunities produced by this industry, we have not yet reached the bottom. "Restaurants have been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In Michigan, indoor dining has again been suspended to stem a surge of the novel virus. The MRLA attempted to sue the state over the epidemic orders, but a judge rejected the lawsuit earlier this month.As new vaccines from Pfizer rolled out of the pharmaceutical giant's Kalamazoo facility on Monday, headed across the state and nation, hope is on the horizon.

Maloney turned down a request for an injunction with a week left in the three-week indoor dining ban. Restaurants predict that the steady loss of customers could put many of them out of business. Whitmer said about chance of Michigan’s stricter COVID-19 rules extending past 3 weeksThe MRLA and some restaurants sued the state health director. They said they can safely provide indoor dining and were being treated unfairly when compared to other businesses. The health director offered six key things that medical professionals know about the virus right now:

The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association and two restaurant groups sued the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services shortly after the three-week ban began in mid-November. Another hearing is set for Dec. 17, where Maloney will decide whether to send “certifying questions” to the Michigan Supreme Court about this topic. The same law is currently being challenged by a west Michigan chiropractor in state court, which claims the state’s mask mandate is unconstitutional. The Michigan Supreme Court determined the act was unconstitutional on Oct. 2, nullifying Whitmer’s executive orders and prompting the current MDHHS orders in place. has no authority to continue state of emergency, Michigan Supreme Court rulesWhitmer doesn’t rule out extension of partial shutdown, discourages people from defying orders

UPDATE: Andiamo owner backtracks: ‘We have never and will never defy mandated orders’“This industry is hanging on by a thread,” Rosalie Vicari said. Rosalie and her husband Joe Vicari own the Vicari restaurant group, with high-end restaurants like Joe Muer Seafood, Brownies On The Lake and multiple Andiamo Italian restaurants. Their new letter called on Metro Detroit restaurants to band together at a meeting this week. Restaurants said the order to close dining rooms is unconstitutional and not supported by science. Yet, restaurants are closed and we just don’t understand that,” Rosalie Vicari said.

Michigan restaurants cannot reopen immediately for dine-in seating, as a federal judge has denied a lawsuit motion that would have struck down the state order banning in-person dining at restaurants. U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney ruled against the motion for a temporary restraining order on Friday, Nov. 20, which was filed by the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association and a pair of restaurant and hospitality businesses. The dine-in restaurant ban was put in place by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to combat COVID-19 starting Wednesday and goes through Dec. 8. While Friday’s decision is a loss for the MRLA, the judge didn’t rule out future action on the case. RELATED STORIESRestaurant groups sue Michigan, ask court to block dine-in restaurant banDine-in restaurant ban is a ‘nail in the coffin’ of Michigan businesses, industry leaders sayDon’t ‘panic buy’ toilet paper, other goods, Michigan retailer leaders urgeMichigan’s 3-week partial shutdown begins, but some fear it could go into 2021Many forms of outdoor dining also prohibited during Michigan’s 3-week ‘pause’

But some industry leaders are expecting the partial shutdown to last longer – part of the reason the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association is taking the orders to court. Details of Michigan’s latest partial shutdown rulesNo matter the data point, it’s clear a second wave of COVID-19 is hitting Michigan – as health experts predicted would happen once the weather cooled. But there are likely many more COVID cases springing from restaurants, Gordon said. If people are going to meet up, it’s safest to do so at a place with regulations for sanitizing, capacity limits and distancing – like a restaurant – Winslow said. In short, MRLA leaders believe the restrictions will financially obliterate Michigan’s restaurant industry.

Michigan’s latest dine-in ban at restaurants and bars is headed to court as the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association is demanding a judge block the ban. The MRLA filed the lawsuit on Tuesday, Nov. 17, just hours before the three-week ban goes into effect at midnight Wednesday. A pair of restaurant and hospitality companies – Suburban Inns and Heirloom – are also plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon. Michigan restaurants were closed for dining in starting in March when COVID-19 hit Michigan, but reopened with restrictions in June. Takeout and outdoor dining are still available – but even some forms of outdoor dining aren’t allowed.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) has filed a lawsuit against Robert Gordon, in his capacity as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) director, to block the ban on dine-in service. Inc. d/b/a Suburban Inns have joined MRLA in the lawsuit. Starting Wednesday and lasting through Dec. 8, Michigan residents will only be able to order takeout from restaurants, unless outdoor seating is available. That is under the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s new COVID-19 rules. READ: Why is indoor dining at Michigan restaurants being shut down for 3 weeks despite fewer outbreaks?

DETROIT – Help is available for hospitality workers in Michigan who have temporarily lost their jobs due to coronavirus (COVID-19). The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association president received a $2.5M grant from the Michigan Department of Treasury to support restaurant and lodging industry workers who were impacted by COVID-19. READ: 19 Michigan businesses fined for serious coronavirus (COVID-19) workplace violations“We are thankful to Governor Whitmer and the Michigan legislators for their support of the state’s hospitality workers. More than half of the 600,000 hospitality workers in Michigan temporarily lost their jobs and too many restaurants across the state were unable to reopen after the shutdown,” said Justin Winslow MRLA President & CEO. Those who apply for funds will need to have proof of hospitality industry employment as of March 10.

The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) is sounding the alarm on the coming struggle of cold weather business during the coronavirus pandemic. “The hospitality industry in Michigan finds itself in a precarious position this fall as dropping temperatures and mandatory capacity restrictions indoors threaten its very existence,” said Justin Winslow, president & CEO of the MRLA. Despite leading the statewide employment gains this summer, restaurants in Michigan are operating with 1/3 fewer employees than they otherwise at this time of the year. Michigan hotel occupancy rates are down 23.5 percent compared to last year, according to MRLA. In response, MRLA has launched the “Don’t Leave Michigan’s Hospitality Industry Out in the Cold” campaign, including a list of common-sense public policy solutions to help Michigan’s restaurants and hotels survive the transition to a colder, less predictable fall season.