BCRFA Update May 18, 2021
NEW.
1. UPDATE: CURRENT CIRCUIT BREAKER RESTRICTIONS. Today the BCRFA along with our industry colleagues spoke with Dr. Emmerson in regards to the current public health orders. As expected, while the daily case counts are decreasing they are still concerned regarding the increasing number of variants and thus it is very important to get everyone vaccinated to help stop the continued spread and for us to return to increased hosting capacity in our restaurants. The approach is to move towards less restrictions and they will be sharing a restart 2.0 plan that will be released by the Province. Unfortunately, at this time no decisions have been made regarding the return of indoor dining and while we have continuously indicated that advance notice is needed in order for you to prepare, we feel that restaurants should begin to prepare for re-opening in the coming weeks. We do not know the full re-opening date but have been advised that the announcement next week will provide dates for in-restaurant dining, we do expect it will be in the coming weeks and the residents of BC will be ready to dine in again and support industry. We will share additional information once we receive it from government.
2. REMINDER: All RESTAURANT STAFF IN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH AND FRASER VALLEY HEALTH are now eligible to receive your vaccinations for those 18+ with front of line access. Both health authorities have created a booking link with access code for you to pass on to your employees. BCRFA members can login to the membership portal HERE to get this information under announcements. If you are not a member of the BCRFA or are having trouble getting into our membership portal please contact our office by email HERE and we can forward you the booking access information.
Note that this access is available to delivery drivers for food suppliers, delivery drivers for take-out/restaurant delivery, front of house and back of house staff. Booking your vaccination appointment is available now. Please remind your staff to ensure that they bring their ID, Personal Health Number, and proof of employment (this can be paystub, bank statement showing deposit or letter signed by employer) with them to their pre-booked appointment.
3. $200,000 PATTISON MEDIA RADIO CAMPAIGN: The BCRFA is excited to confirm that Pattison Media Ltd. is sponsoring a campaign that will run from April 28 - May 31 with 30 second ads running on all 22 of their stations in the province. These ads are encouraging people to order take-away, dine on a patio and support their favourite local restaurant. Tune in to your local station to hear these ads, we thank Pattison Media Group for helping us to offer another media promotion to help us get people ordering from you, our restaurants, pubs and cafes.
4. CURRENT + ANTICIPATED LABOUR SHORTAGE. The BCRFA is hosting a webinar on June 8, 2021 to help our industry with information on navigating through the current and expected labour shortage in our industry. Please help us by completing this short survey HERE. You can register for the session HERE.
5. MAY MARKETING FEATURE: tacos and wraps The month of May brings celebration of moving forward, Cinco de Mayo and hope that our industry move forward with travel in the province opening up again. For the month of May we are featuring your tacos and wraps.
To participate, please email: HERE
- the description of your wraps and tacos
- a short statement about your outdoor dining safety protocols
- a picture of you or your dish OR
- a picture of a team member holding the dish, wearing a mask
We also need:
- the social media handles for your business and the featured producer
- any hashtags you use
We look forward to featuring your business and giving people choices of great outdoor dining options!
Entries received will be posted in May @eatdrinkbuybc, @bctastesbetter and @chefstablebc.
6. REEF NBRHD Restaurant Development Program is coming to Vancouver and applications for restauranteurs looking to open your first location or build on your business and expand to other areas of the city by helping restaurants build & expand their delivery business. Apply HERE to receive a $12.5K financial grant, a $12.5K marketing grant & a NBRHD Kitchens partnership.
7. FOOD AND LIQUOR SERVING PREMISES ORDER. For the most recent public health order please visit HERE. This order is part of the "Circuit Breaker" program which restricts travel in/out of BC and throughout the province as well as limits restaurant dining to patios only. This order is in effect now through to after the May 24 (long weekend). Reminder that you must continue to do contact tracing and should be part of your pandemic protocols and safety plan.
8. PROVINCIAL GUIDANCE FOR OUTSIDE DINING SPACES: This guidance provides information on ways to comply with the Provincial Health Officer’s Order on Food and Liquor Serving Premises, specifically the requirements for providing outside food and drink services (e.g., on a patio). As an owner or operator, this guidance will support you when preparing or amending your COVID-19 Safety Plan and outside dining set up. To review the full document please visit HERE
9. TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN BC: Travel restrictions for non-essential travel in B.C. are in place until May 25 to stop the spread of COVID-19 and variants of concern. Fines can be given to people who leave their region for non-essential travel. Stay local and stay in your community. Do not travel for non-essential reasons. Learn more HERE
10. LIQUOR PRIMARY ESTABLISHMENTS are temporarily permitted to allow minors in their establishments beyond 10:00pm (well done to our partner Rising Tide Consultants for your work on this). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial state of emergency, and the Provincial Health Officer's order prohibiting the sale of liquor and food and liquor serving premises after 10:00 pm, the LCRB General Manager is putting in place a time-limited measure to support LP licensees with a FFS term and condition. Licensees with a FFS term and condition are temporarily authorized to permit minors accompanied by a parent or guardian in the service area beyond 10:00 pm. See the policy HERE.
11. KUBERA PAYMENT PROCESSING. Do you know that BCRFA members receive a $500 credit when switching to work with KUBERA for your payment processing? Not a BCRFA member? Join today as the credit more than pays your annual membership fee. About KUBERA: Every day Kubera helps our clients move millions of dollars in-store, online and on mobile phones for companies across North America. Kubera’s team of experts can advise you on the best way to securely and reliably accept payments. Better Payment Processing for your Business. To learn more and register visit: HERE
12. RISING TIDE LIQUOR AND CANNABIS LICENSING CONSULTANTS: With over 32 years’ experience in liquor and now cannabis licensing in Canada, Rising Tide Consultants is a team of compliance experts providing straightforward, comprehensive hospitality consulting. To learn more and speak with the team at Rising Tide visit HERE
GRANTS AND FUNDING SUPPORT
1. NEW REFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT: B.C. increased employment incentive. The increased employment incentive allows employers to apply for a one-time tax credit. The credit is 15% of the amount that the employer’s total eligible remuneration for all eligible employees in the qualifying period exceeds the employer’s total eligible remuneration for all eligible employees in the base period. Learn more: HERE
2. GRANT: The Circuit Breaker Grant for Hospitality Businesses application is now open. As noted in point #1 above the government today increased the grant funding for eligible businesses.Funds can be used to help with expenses like employee wages, rent, maintenance, and utilities. If you have applied already, you don't need to apply again but your funding amount will increase. To apply go HERE
3. GRANT: Launch Online program: Learn more HERE
This program is designed to help business conduct transactions online through building or enhancing an online shop. Businesses that want to enhance or build an online booking system are now eligible to apply. An approved business would be eligible for 75% funding up to $10,000 (max of $7500 from the program, $2500 from the approved business). This program has a fairly low barrier to entry so a great source of funds. To sign up, restaurants may want to have a chat with their website and social media company to get their commitment to help execute the website upgrades in advance. Note: Website investments must be done after the grant is approved.
4. GRANT: Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant: details: HERE Business that have a proven revenue drop of 30% of one month in 2019 versus one month in 2020 AND have been in business for at least 18 months at the time of application are eligible for this grant. The amount a business is eligible for is based on your revenue from $10,000 to $30,000 with up to $15,000 top up for tourism dependent businesses. There is a checklist on the website. Businesses who have completed CEWS paperwork should be able to gather many of the required financial documents fairly quickly. Requirements include balance sheet, income statement, payroll info and tax returns. Once a business gets approved based on their financials, a business must complete the actual recovery plan and can use approved service providers to get guidance on completing the form. BCRFA can help restaurants with completing the recovery plan: info@bcrfa.com. Note: Expenses back to September 21 are eligible within the recovery plan.
MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
1. RETAIL PRODUCTS. Do you create and sell your own house made products or clothing/retail items? We are currently working with a BC Retailer who wants to help restaurants by carrying your items in their stores to help you bring in some extra revenue. Items must be set up with bar codes for scanning and ready to hit store shelves and packed in box with multiple units (ie 12 BBQ sauces in a box), and all must not require refrigeration or freezer as it will be on a shelf in their store. If you are a restaurant and have an item please send an email HERE
2: Some BCRFA tips to maximize take-away and delivery
- Create family style dining menus for pick-up
- Create a package that includes wine and cocktail packages
- Create a dinner package that is all prepped and guests will cook at home
- Create picnic basket style dining for those getting outdoors
- Work with your local food delivery and increase your dining menu
- Update your website with take-away ordering menus as people move from reservations to dining at home
- Get your patios up and running and move reservations outside
3. BCRFA RESOURCES:
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 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