BCRFA Update March 11, 2021- St. Patrick's Day
NEW.
1. ST. PATRICK'S DAY RESTRICTIONS - The Provincial Government announced today that March 17, St. Patrick's Day will have the following restrictions put in place:
- Liquor sales for onsite and off-site consumption must cease between 8:00 pm on March 17, 2021 and 9:00 am on March 18, 2021.
- Unless a full meal service is provided, premises which are licensed to serve liquor must close between 9:00 pm on March 17, 2021 and 9:00 am on March 18, 2021.
- If a full meal service is provided, premises may stay open, but liquor service must not resume until 9:00 am the following day.
- Liquor must not be consumed on the premises by any person, including patrons, owners, operators or staff after 9:00 pm on March 17, 2021.
2. GATHERINGS AND EVENTS ORDER: This has been updated to allow for groups of up to 10 people OUTSIDE. Inside gatherings are still not allowed, dinner parties are still not allowed, all indoor activities are still in effect, the only change is the allowance of outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people.
3. WorkSafeBC stepping up its workplace presence ahead of spring break, St. Patrick’s Day. Today WorkSafeBC issued a media release noting that they will be inspecting and consulting with businesses throughout the month of March when many families participate in spring break activities. The initiative will focus primarily on overnight and short-term accommodation, food and leisure services, amusement facilities, sports and entertainment facilities, ski hills, and golf courses. WorkSafeBC will also be launching an initiative focused on bars, pubs and restaurants ahead of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. To assist employers, WorkSafeBC has developed the resource: Reviewing and updating your COVID-19 safety plan: A guide for employers, available at worksafebc.com.
4. BCRFA REQUEST TO BC MINISTRY OF HEALTH. The BCRFA has requested that the hospitality industry be considered as part of the Province's front of the line vaccination program. We have expressed the need for the safety of staff and guests, as our industry sees hundreds of thousands of guests each day across the province in restaurants, and as travel restrictions begin to be relaxed our front of house staff will be put more at risk each day. We have also expressed that this allows us to expand our consumer confidence initiatives already in place. We will update the industry once we learn more.
5. Government Announces Wage and Rent Subsidy Amounts to Remain Unchanged Through to June. Today the Federal Government released the information on how wage and rent subsidy comparisons will be calculated from March 14- June 5. Calculations will be made by comparing 2021 sales to 2019 sales, there are alternate comparisons available as well. For a full explanation on the announcement and to review the calculations table visit: WAGE AND RENT SUBSIDY
6. Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders. Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any one borrower, of which no more than $350,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment. Financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan. For more information download their PDF pamphlet or click here to find a lender near you.
7. STAND UP FOR SERVICE RETURNS: Help us recognize the efforts of restaurant workers by nominating them for the @BCTastesBetter #StandUpForService campaign. If an outstanding server, hostess, busser or sommelier recently made you feel comfortable and safe when you were dining out at a local restaurant, you can help them be recognized for a job well done. From March to May, 16 nominees will receive a token of our appreciation for a job well done: a gift from @sumacridgewine and a @SaveOnFoods gift certificate. Submit your nomination at www.bcrfa.com.
8. March FREE Marketing Feature: Burgers. As the weather gets warmer consumers start to think of foods you typically BBQ at home, we know that BC restaurants make some of the best burgers and so are featuring your burgers in the month of March. To have your burger featured, email us MARCH FEATURE with your Instagram ready burger dishes. Here is what we are looking for:
- a description of your dish
- local products featured (item, producers, processors, farmers)
- your social media handles
- any hashtags you use
- suggested local pairings (beer, wine)
- one to two pictures of the dish
One lucky restaurant who submits an entry will receive a gift pack from Russell Hendrix to help them elevate their burger game in the future.
9. DOWNLOADABLE GUIDES. The BCRFA has created a number of new guides to help restaurants and employers. You can view and download off of the BCRFA website here: RESOURCES.
New Guides include:
COVID-19 Restaurant Marketing
The Next Pivot: Preparing to maximize take away this fall/winter
Frequently Asked Questions: Patio Extensions
10 Tips for Successful Expanded Winter Patios
Helping Restaurant Teams Manage Mental Health During COVID-19
10. CALLING FOR NEW MEMBERS! The BCRFA is a member based organization we thank our members for your support and invite those of you who are not members to LEARN MORE and join our association. SIGN ME UP.
Questions about your membership? Send us an email HERE
REMINDERS.
1. CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS:
Food and Liquor Serving Premises. View order: HERE
Gatherings and Events. View order: HERE
2. WHOLESALE PRICING MADE PERMANENT: The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced today that the changes made in 2020 to allow restaurants, bars and tourism operators with liquor licences to purchase beer, wine and spirits at the wholesale price set by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) are now in place permanently. Over the last few months the BCRFA along with our industry colleagues have been expressing the need to make this permanent and today we are happy to share this news. You can read the full release issued today here: Permanent wholesale liquor pricing will help hospitality sector recover
3. ALACRITY CANADA DIGITAL MARKETING BOOTCAMP GRANT. The Alacrity Canada Digital Marketing Bootcamp is a virtual skills-training program that aims to prepare your business for the digital marketplace. This intensive learning program involves daily experiential learning as well as mentorship sessions with marketing experts to help equip you with the knowledge, tools, and resources you need to thrive as a marketer. By the end of this Bootcamp, you will be ready to grow your business with a real understanding of how your work can contribute to and shape the marketing process. Applications are currently being received, you can apply: HERE
4. SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESS GRANTS: On January 26 the BCRFA along with the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation held an information session on applying for the grant. For those that may have missed it please find links here with content shared.
BUSINESS GRANT PRESENTATION
INFORMATION SHEET
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
COVID-19 SUPPORTS FOR NON-PROFITS
5. BC GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES NEW GRANT PROGRAM FOR BUSINESSES. From the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. The B.C. government is investing $12 million to help businesses launch or upgrade an online store that will provide the platform they need to increase their sales revenues, become more competitive and grow. Up to 25% of the program funds will be reserved for regional and Indigenous businesses. These grants will provide business owners, including those in hard-hit sectors such as retail, tourism and restaurants, with up to $7,500 to build or improve their online store and promote BuyBC at a local, national and international level. Learn more and apply: E-COMMERCE GRANT
6. MANUAL: BEST HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR THE BC FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY. Successful management of our Human Resources - our team, our employees - is the core of every restaurant. BCRFA is here to help you succeed in all aspects of your business. Your employees cost you 30-35% of your monthly operating expenses. When replacing an employee who has quit or you have had to terminate can cost thousands of dollars, good Human Resources management is a vital part of a restaurant's ability to succeed. This manual is broken down into 19 sections, each tackling unique areas of managing people. BCRFA members can now access and download this in our members area. If you would like to receive a printed copy of the manual we can print and ship for $25. If you would like to order a hard copy or are not a current BCRFA member and would like this valuable resource please contact our membership team: MEMBERSHIP
7. Notice to Sellers of Soda Beverages: Effective April 1, 2021, soda beverages will no longer qualify for the exemption for food products for human consumption. PST will apply to all retail sales of soda beverages at a rate of 7%. To read the full notice please visit here: Notice to Sellers of Soda Beverages
8. MODUURN: The BCRFA recently announced our partnership with Moduurn. BCRFA members receive preferred pricing, to learn more visit: MODUURN, and click HERE. Moduurn has also shared a 90 Day Success Story: HERE. E-Commerce Grant + Small and Medium Sized Business Grant consideration. The BCRFA is encouraging restaurants to apply for both grants and to speak with Moduurn in regards to using some of the funds to digitally advance your websites to better accommodate consumers increasing demands for convenient ordering. To learn more on the grants see points #4 and #5 below and to learn more how Moduurn can help your business visit: Moduurn
9. MEMBERSHIP DUES PAYMENTS. We have now implemented a monthly membership payment option to help you with your monthly budgeting. This new option allows you to spread your memberships into 12 monthly payments instead of paying on your anniversary date. If you have an outstanding invoice and would like to pay using our monthly payment program please contact accounting@bcrfa.com. We have frozen membership fees for the current period, membership invoices are distributed on a monthly basis, if you have received an invoice please pay promptly
10. WESTERN LIVING MAGAZINE 2021 FOODIES OF THE YEAR FINALISTS. Congratulations to all 40 finalists including our own Ian Tostenson and BCRFA Members Meaghan and Steve Clark (Tractor), Shane Munn (Martin’s Lane), we hope to see you all in the top 10 released next month. For a full list of finalists visit: FINALISTS FOODIES OF THE YEAR.
11. Greater Victoria Business Awards. This week the finalists were announced for the 2021 Greater Victoria Business Awards, we want to congratulate BCRFA CEO/President Ian Tostenson for being a finalist in the category of Business Person of the Year. A congratulations to BCRFA Members who also made finalists in the following categories: TUTTI Delivery, Business of the Year (11-39 Employees) and Moduurn, Business of the Year (1-10 Employees). Winners will be announced on May 15th, to see a list of all finalists in each category visit: Greater Victoria Business Awards.
12. LOWER MAINLAND EMPLOYMENT GRANTS: The Youth Employment Bootcamp Program at the Robert Lee YMCA in Vancouver is currently looking for employers to take part in their job training program. They run employment programming and workshops for young people 15-30 years old that are looking for work in the lower mainland. They then set up work placements for twelve weeks following their training with the aim this leads into an ongoing position. For you this gives you access to a ready to work talent pool (15-30 yrs), trained with certificates relevant to the job such as First Aid CPR-C, Food Safe, World Host, Serving it right. Some candidates are recent graduates of post-secondary school programs. A $10-$15/hour wage subsidy is available for the first 12 weeks of full-time employment. This is a savings of $3,600 - $5,400 for employers. Learn more: HERE. If this is of interest please contact their program manager by email here: Nicolas Tellez-Espana
BCRFA IN THE NEWS.
Restaurants and our industry continue to be a popular topic with all media outlets. Here are a few articles that have been distributed this week where Ian Tostenson, CEO/President of the BCRFA has been asked to comment.
- March 11. News 1130: B.C. restaurants forever changed a year after pandemic began
- March 11. Delta Optimist: Inaugural Dine Around Delta starts Friday