Often while at the LRA offices in Metairie, you will hear the phrase, “What we do together does make a difference.” That’s the founding principle of the Louisiana Restaurant Association. Together we can affect change. Whether that change is legislative or business or social, your membership in the LRA allows your voice to be heard and gives you access to benefits made better and more affordable by the strength of our numbers.
Workers' Compensation
The Louisiana Restaurant Association Self Insurer's Fund (LRA/SIF) has been operating since 1982 and has a premium base of $20 million. It provides coverage for hotels, restaurants, country clubs and most other hospitality-related businesses in Louisiana. This program has returned more than $81 million in dividends to its members since 1987, more than any other similar program in Louisiana. It has been the model for other restaurant association funds throughout the country.
Highlights of the LRA/SIF include aggressive claims administration, top-notch loss prevention and conservative underwriting. We believe we can reduce your workers' compensation premiums through lower claims cost, a lower experience modification factor and an increased return of dividends.
For more information on this outstanding workers' compensation program, call the LRA/SIF at (800) 256-4572, or locally in the New Orleans area at (504) 454-2277. Find out more about LRA/SIF.
Credit Card Processing
LRA members realize great savings in credit card processing fees in our endorsed program with Heartland Payment Systems. Heartland offers payment solutions designed to meet the needs of all types of restaurants. Members may contact Tammy Littleton with Heartland at (225) 610-4995 for more information on discounts and services.
Email Marketing
Fishbowl Marketing has proven that targeted e-mail marketing will generate more sales and increase guest frequency. Through our partnership with Fishbowl and the National Restaurant Association, learn how e-mail marketing can work for your restaurant by visiting www.fishbowllocal.com.
Payroll Processing
LRA members can rely on the expertise of Automatic Payroll Systems, Inc. (APS) to manage the payroll processing and tax compliance of their businesses. APS offers a complete online payroll service designed to meet the needs of all types of restaurants. Features include: POS interfacing, tip reporting, tip to minimum wage calculations, tip overtime calculations, and employee deductions for food and drink consumption. In addition, as an endorsed provider, LRA members receive a discount on service fees.
Job Bank
The LRA Job Bank powered by www.Hcareers.com offers substantial savings to LRA members wanting to post Internet job listings. Hcareers.com is the dominant career website for the restaurant industry in both job seeker traffic and volume of jobs posted. By providing immediate and easy access to the largest restaurant industry job seeker audience (over 950,000 unique visitors each month), the LRA Job Bank helps our members increase the number of applicants while reducing costs and shortening the hiring process. Hcareers provides a greater candidate flow than local newspapers classifieds with a far lower cost, greater speed and increased efficiency.
Music Licensing Discount
LRA Members can save up to 20% on their BMI Music License for Eating & Drinking Establishments. A 10% individual membership discount on license fees when licensing through the LRA discount program & an additional 10% timely payment discount when remitting check with signed license within 30 days of each annual license renewal invoice. Note: discounts apply only to LRA Members current and in good standing with the LRA and BMI.
Legal Services
The LRA retains one of the top labor law firms in Louisiana. We can answer your legal questions concerning equal employment opportunity laws, wage and hour regulations, union activity and more, all at no individual cost to you.
Hospitality Political Action Committee (HostPAC)
Political action committees are created to make financial contributions to candidates and work toward political goals. HostPAC solicits voluntary contributions from members in order to contribute legally to political campaigns. Industrywide participation is more effective than individual contributions, and for the foodservice industry, LRA HostPAC has proven to be a valuable asset in LRA's lobbying in Baton Rouge.
Group Insurance
The LRA Group Insurance Program (LRA GIP) is designed specifically for restaurant and associate members of the LRA. This program fills a need where we had no comprehensive medical coverage in the past. Traditionally insurers have shunned our industry for a variety of reasons, and we have had fewer choices than most small business owners in this state. Now with our collective buying power and with the sweeping changes in the insurance industry, we have an opportunity to obtain a quality program with major carriers.
The LRA GIP is marketed by the Hollis Companies, a highly respected firm with more than 80 years of experience in employee benefit planning. For more information on the Group Insurance Program, please contact Stacy McMahon at (504) 828-6400, or e-mail
Educational Opportunities
All levels of restaurant and foodservice management can benefit from the association-sponsored seminars. Topics include: sanitation certification (SERVSAFE), responsible alcohol service (Louisiana’s BEST), cutting food costs, kitchen management, increasing sales and other valuable training. The LRA also offers video training tapes and a wide array of books and manuals. Find out more about educational opportunities.
Restaurant Report
Published monthly, this informative newsletter recaps current events, business regulations and membership news that people in the restaurant industry need to know. Find out more about our publications.
A La Carte
The official publication of the LRA is published quarterly for the membership. It features articles of interest concerning the foodservice and hospitality industries. It also shows photo spreads of the various chapter events and LRA activities held throughout the year. Advertising in A La Carte is one of the most effective ways for purveyors to make their products and services familiar to restaurant operators. Find out more about our publications.
Research Department
If members have questions that need answering, all they have to do is pick up the phone and call the LRA office. The professional staff of 23 that works for the LRA is ready to serve members. The LRA staff should be considered an extension of each member's own staff.
Employment Practices Liability
The LRA is pleased to offer this valuable benefit to its members in conjunction with Insurance Underwriters Ltd. This coverage protects your company against damages for events relating to your workforce, including but not limited to; wrongful terminations, harassment, discrimination, defamation and unfair hiring/firing practices; and provides defense costs associated with responding to employment related lawsuits. Additional coverage for claims of harassment or discrimination brought by a Third Party such as a customer, vendor, service provider or client is specifically included. Find out more about EPLI.
Submitting information for a quote takes just 3 minutes. For more information on this Employment Practices Liability program, please call Steve Schindler at Insurance Underwriters, Ltd at (504) 883-2500, ext. 144.
Members can sign up for classes, search vendors, download forms, access archives & pay dues online.
