Chief Executive Officer's Message

One of the primary goals of the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is to provide members with the programs and information to assist them in keeping up with the competition, providing professional development opportunities and making sure that LRA members are more successful than non-members.  With the rapidly changing times, we are working diligently to keep you ahead in the game.

The 55th Annual Louisiana Foodservice EXPO held at the beginning of August in New Orleans was a great success. With nearly 13,000 restaurant industry professionals under one roof seeking out the latest in products and services, it was an outstanding three days. A re-vamped seminar series was one of the stars of the show. We had experts on hand to tackle issues like fighting food cost inflation, avoiding lawsuits and PCI Compliance.

The latter—PCI Compliance—is a major issue affecting Louisiana restaurant owners. Since 2005, there have been 201 Visa credit card comprises with Louisiana has been identified as an epicenter of fraud and theft. In late August, we held a PCI Compliance Information Session in Baton Rouge at Juban’s with nearly 70 LRA members in attendance seeking ways to ramp up security on their POS Systems.

We also have to educate legislators in Louisiana about issues affecting our industry. We continue to lay the groundwork, and of particular interest to the LRA right now is the voluntary phase out of trans fat among Louisiana restaurateurs and pro-business immigration reform. Both are issues that have not been successfully addressed at the federal level, thus states are taking them into their own hands.

Working in tandem with the National Restaurant Association, a delegation of 37 restaurateurs joined me in Washington, DC in late September to address the Employee Free Choice Act, menu labeling and the Credit Card Fair Fee Act. We had an opportunity to meet with Senators Landrieu and Vitter and all Representatives from the State in Congress.

Finally, I would like to recognize Jerry Kolniak, 2008 Chair, for his outstanding leadership, commitment and involvement in the association this year. Jerry traveled the state several times, attending chapter meetings and events, immersing himself in the issues of the industry and building camaraderie among his peers. This successful restaurateur did an exceptional job as Chair. I know the entire LRA Board of Directors, and certainly the LRA staff, joins me in these sentiments.

We are proving everyday, that what we do together really does make a difference.

Sincerely,