Leaders' Blog

National Restaurant Association President and CEO Dawn Sweeney made the following statement about the 10th anniversary of 9/11:

"Across the nation we are reflecting on the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 and remembering our personal stories – where we were, how we heard the news, and for those most deeply marked by the attacks, who we lost. And we are remembering the aftermath of the tragedy, how people came together to comfort one another and rebuild.

"The National Restaurant Association is proud to represent an industry that is typically among the first to respond in times of need.  Ten years ago, in the wake of 9/11, the restaurant and foodservice industry galvanized to organize Dine for America, a national fundraising day in support of the victims of the attacks of September 11.

As our industry continues to work its way out of the recession, it is imperative that the business climate remains supportive of small business growth. As our industry is made up of many small, independent businesses and franchisees, passage of expanded small business loans and credit opportunities has been a priority issue for the National Restaurant Association.

We have been working for new legislation that would provide small business tax relief and assistance in gaining access to capital. Yesterday, we celebrated the final passage in the House of Representatives of the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010, which is expected to be signed into law next week.

Specifically, the bill includes the following provisions that will help many of you protect profits and expand business:

• Increase in the Section 179 expensing limits and expansion to cover restaurant property (structural improvements, new construction, and leasehold and retail improvements), allowing small businesses to write off $500,000 of capital expenses instead of $250,000 through 2011.

• Establishment of a $30 billion Small Business Lending Fund to spur and facilitate small banks in lending money to small businesses.

• Increase in the size of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans from $2 million to $5 million and eliminate fees associated with such loans through 2010. It also continues 90 percent government guarantee of such SBA loans through 2010.

The expanded expensing limits and greater access to credit will greatly help restaurant operators make necessary investments, hire and retain workers and in some cases, keep their doors open.

We will continue to provide you with updates and information on how you can capitalize on these new provisions and other SBA loan programs, and how we at the National Restaurant Association continue our work to protect and encourage profitability and entrepreneurship in the restaurant industry.

Our industry has long been a leader in promoting healthy lifestyles. That fact was underscored this morning, as First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the National Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors in Washington, D.C.

“Restaurants remain an incredibly dynamic part of our American story,” the First Lady said. “I've been so pleased to hear about what some of you are doing already, both in working with us and on your own. Together, we can help make sure that every family that walks into a restaurant can make an easy, healthy choice.”

We are honored that the First Lady recognizes our efforts and leadership on health and nutrition issues, and we wholeheartedly support her work to reduce childhood obesity in a generation. We appreciate this opportunity to share our own progress, as an industry -- and to highlight some of our industry's successes as well.

The First Lady urged us to use our creativity to create healthful options for children and adults alike, and said that the Administration is working hard to create an even stronger demand for those options so that offering them also makes sense for our bottom lines.

The National Restaurant Association’s healthy living platform aims to provide a strong foundation that not only helps contribute to a healthier America, but helps foster a healthy and thriving restaurant industry. Our vision is to help create an environment that encourages voluntary, flexible options for restaurateurs to address today's healthy living challenges -- a holistic approach that encompasses a multitude of solutions.

The First Lady highlighted some of the ways in which we are assisting the industry, and how restaurants around the country are answering this call to action:

• HealthyDiningFinder.com, a website listing more than 70,000 restaurant locations that offer nutritious menu options, on which the NRA is a founding partner.

• A national menu labeling standard, signed into law earlier this year, for which the NRA advocated.

• Increasing the use of fruit and vegetables on menus, through the NRA’s partnership with the Produce Marketing Association and the International Foodservice Distributors Association.

• The "Chefs Move to Schools" program, through which the NRA has helped connect chefs with schools to help develop healthier menus and educate parents and children about nutrition.

It is clear that Americans are demanding healthy options when dining out. We are proud of the progress our industry has made in responding to this demand, and look forward to continue working toward a healthier future. Together we can have an enormous impact on the health of our nation.

We want to make you aware of a new study on the Gulf Coast oil spill created in collaboration with our partner organization, the U.S. Travel Association. The study shows the spill's impact on travel and tourism will likely last three years and could cost up to $22.7 billion in lost spending. It also reinforces the need for a substantial and significant marketing program, that could cut that economic damage by one-third.

We join USTA in calling on responsible parties, the government and others to take immediate action to mitigate the certain economic damage our industry and others face.

Research shows that the oil spill will have long-term effects on businesses and jobs in the Gulf Coast region unless action is undertaken to mitigate the long-term impact and save restaurant industry and other jobs. We have been working with USTA to launch a "Roadmap to Recovery" to aid the Administration and the Congress in its work to safeguard the Gulf Coast and prepare for future crises as well.

NRA Show 2010 opened yesterday in Chicago's McCormick Place with high energy and an amazing sense of the creativity that drives our industry year-round: green innovations, new marketing techniques, award-winning equipment, and foods and beverages to meet the palate of every guest. Get a sense of the Show in this video, and stay tuned for more over the next three days as NRA Show 2010 (May 22 to May 25) and the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (May 23 to May 24) unfold. I look forward to seeing you there.

We're looking forward to welcoming you to NRA Show 2010, May 22 to May 25 in Chicago!

Salute to Excellence 2010 is only two weeks away — Saturday, May 22, at the Hilton Chicago — so now is the time to get your tickets. Get a preview of the event in our new video.

Salute to Excellence is the restaurant industry’s premier fundraising gala benefiting the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s youth development programs, and draws more than 800 of the industry’s most influential and inspiring individuals.

Giving back is in fashion at this year’s Salute to Excellence, which will feature specialty fashion show TREND, spotlighting style in foodservice apparel and gear from this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show exhibitors. Decked out in cooking couture, models will walk the catwalk emceed by Food Network’s star Ted Allen.

Learn more on the NRAEF website and if you haven’t already, register now for NRA Show 2010, to be held May 22-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

In Monday’s blog post, the National Restaurant Association commented on the potential impact of the Gulf Coast oil spill. It is still too early to tell what the spill means for the restaurant industry, but we may see its effects on tourism and seafood prices as the situation evolves.

The Association was contacted by CNBC this week regarding this issue — watch the video here.