BCRFA Update March 29, 2021

NEW.

1. RESTAURANTS: Effective at midnight tonight (March 29) all restaurants must close for INDOOR dining. Patios are allowed as well as is take-out. We are linking below some of our documents that we created previously to help with take-away, marketing, etc as refreshers to help ensure your business survival.

Changes are effective tonight at midnight (March 29) through to April 19th. 

Note that Dr. Henry made a point of complimenting our industry and stressed that the issues arising have been with staff not guests. These protocols are being put in place to minimize in person gatherings indoors, as well as to address the skyrocketing case numbers and hospitalizations as we are now in our third wave of this pandemic.

Some BCRFA tips to maximize take-away and delivery and adjust as we head into Easter weekend.
1. Create family style dining menus for pick-up
2. Create a package that includes wine and cocktail packages
3. Create an Easter dinner package that is all prepped and guests will cook at home
4. Add chocolate Easter themed gifts/eggs to packages for families
5. Create picnic basket style dining for those families that will be gathering outdoors to meet in a park for Easter
6. Work with your local food delivery and increase your dining menu
7. Update your website with take-away ordering menus as people move from reservations to dining at home
8. Get your patios up and running and move reservations outside

You can view and download off of the BCRFA website here: RESOURCES.
Guides include:
COVID-19 Restaurant Marketing
The Next Pivot: Preparing to maximize take away this fall/winter
Frequently Asked Questions: Patio Extensions
Physical Distancing and Patios

Other changes made today include:
- In-Person religious services suspended
- Outdoor gatherings to one small group within your immediate contact group to a maximum of 10 (think: 3-4 of close friends, 2 families, immediate household). This needs to be the same 10 people, and even if cold and snowy you must stay outside
- As much as possible work from home
- Travel not allowed outside of your local area (reminder)
- Fitness Facilities and Group Fitness outdoors or one-on-one indoors

The Provincial Government indicated that they will be ramping up vaccines in order to get as many people and the immunization program up and going. Their goal is to focus on managing outbreak as much as possible businesses affected by the outbreak.

Reminder that as a BCRFA  member that we are available to you 24/7 please contact us at 604-669-2239 to speak to a member of our team if you need assistance.

2. VANCOUVER RESTAURANTS: Apply now for Spring/Summer Temporary Patio Program. City staff are now welcoming applications from local business for temporary patio permits (free) on public property for the spring/summer patio season, April 1 – October 31, 2021.  At this time, businesses can expect to receive their spring/summer temporary patio permit within 10 business days.  However, we are expecting over 400 patio applications this summer, so to avoid wait times and processing delays, we are encouraging businesses to apply now for their patio permits.  All businesses that wish to retain or re-install their patio through the spring summer season, must apply for an extension. Businesses applying for a first time temporary patio permit, or renewing an existing or previous patio permit, can find more information at vancouver.ca/temporarypatio.
Steps to renew spring/summer patio permit:
- Find out what is allowed for your type of patio
- Determine what additional permits and requirements you may need
- Make sure you have the necessary documents and apply


3. NEED LINE COOKS? THE EXPRESS FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM (support in helping with the labour shortage). As the world continues to re-open we circle back on the need for more workers in our industry, as a BCRFA member you get access to the professional services of our partner Brij Rathi Consultancy Ltd is your source to accessing skilled culinary talent with our express foreign worker program. It takes four to six months for the process from start to finish so now is the time to start thinking of staffing needs for the next twelve months, as the borders begin to open and skilled workers will be allowed to enter our Country/Province these experienced workers will add to your culinary teams. We encourage you to contact Brij to get this started.

4. Feed the #Lunchboxchallenge. The BCRFA is pleased to partner with the BC Construction Association (BCCA) on their #lunchboxchallenge initiative, taking placeduring BC Construction Month throughout April 2021. The program allows construction employers across BC to apply for grants to use towards purchasing lunch for their construction crews during the month of April. Restaurants are invited to help get the word out and let construction sites around you know about the program and encourage them to apply. There are limited lunch grants available so the sooner they apply the better their chances of getting approved. Feel free to print off the poster, write your restaurant name in the box and drop off at nearby construction sites. You are also welcome to put the poster up in your window to help them know you are available as an option for the crew to choose for their lunch. Download the poster: HERE Start promoting today!

5. GATHERINGS AND EVENTS ORDER: Reminder that maximum of 10 people (the same 10 people) and to think and choose your 10 people and keep restricted to to allow for groups of 3-4 people, your immediate household or 1-2 small families to gather together 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 as noted above. 

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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 toLEARN 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. BC GOVERNMENT EXPANDS GRANT PROGRAM FOR BUSINESSES. From the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. The B.C. government is investing $42 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.  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

3. PST ON CARBONATED BEVERAGES:  Bill 4, Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2020 received Royal Assent on August 14, 2020 in the BC Legislature for the announced Budget 2020 changes, which included the tax change applicable to soda beverages.  As a result of B.C.’s COVID-19 Action Plan, in September 2020 the Ministry announced the delay of the elimination of the PST exemption for soda beverages to April 1, 2021.
 
Effective April 1, 2021, Provincial Sales Tax (PST) applies to all retail sales of soda beverages at the rate of 7%. The Ministry of Finance is mindful that implementing this change may be more difficult for some retailers than others and is aware that this rate change imposes the additional difficulty of impacting the point of sale calculation, e.g. when selling soda beverages with food or other goods. While anyone selling soda beverages will be under a legal obligation to levy, collect and remit PST at the 7% rate, the Ministry will generally not focus compliance activities on soda beverages for an initial period. Regardless, the Ministry recommends that best efforts be made to implement the rate change for April 1 and in accordance with all applicable legal obligations.

4. Sale, delivery of packaged liquor now permanent.  The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced today that including the sale of sealed alcohol with your take-out and delivery orders that was put in temporarily in spring 2020 and was set to expire has now been made permanent. Read the full release: HERE

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

BCRFA COVID-19 UpdateAleah Chaytor