Restauranteurs Share Challenges and Solutions on Recent Webinar
A webinar held by the San Bernardino County Economic Development Department and California Restaurant Association (CRA) discussed restaurant readiness and best practices for community restaurateurs. Panelists included Ray Villaman, owner, Tahoe Restaurant Group; Dave Wetzel, president /COO, Farmer Boys; and Chris Duggan, director, Local Government Affairs for CRA (San Diego, Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino counties).
Here are some of the highlights from this San Bernardino County Restaurant Readiness webinar that underscore how hard the industry is working to keep everyone safe and provide insight for other operators:
Dave Wetzel (Farmer Boys): While this hasn’t been a fun journey we’re accommodating well. Our communication and education to team members initially was video conferences three times a week. These are now weekly with our general managers and franchisees. Our focus is on how to keep teams and guests safe. That is supplemented with a 24-hour hotline for news relative to exposure or concerns.
We launched two support programs to help our team members. One is a founder-sponsored hardship fund that a team member can apply to for whatever they need, such as groceries or day care. We also kicked off appreciation pay, providing premium pay for every hour worked.
Ray Villaman (Tahoe Restaurant Group): There have been pretty dramatic changes as you can imagine. Initially, our first rush of guests took it lightly and were more comfortable going out. Then there is the opposite – the guest who doesn’t think anyone should be out.
We’ve adjusted operations accordingly, but more on the strict side with greater adherence to all restrictions and guidelines. Our patio was expanded to maximum capacity per approval of government officials and we gained approval to serve alcohol on the patio. Guests and employees can’t roam the restaurant as freely. We have one entrance in and one exit out with extensive signage.
For us this has been important to employees. They are the ones that you have to prove and show that you are making safety a top priority. We’ve reduced our menu and installed more sanitizing dispensers every 10 feet so that they are highly accessible. All employees wear masks 100 percent of the time and we ask every guest to wear a mask.
Wetzel: We’ve have added plexiglass for cashiers, labeled the floor and never reopened our dining rooms, focusing primarily on drive-thru. For takeout, the restaurant implemented a car numbering system so no one has to congregate while waiting for their food.
Villaman: It’s important to communicate with other restaurant operators and be aware of what is happening in your area and community. Lake Tahoe is inundated with tourists so it’s critical to communicate with CRA, government officials and the local hospital system. As Lake Tahoe’s hospitals filled up, we chose to close indoor dining, even before it was mandated by the state.
For takeout and curbside service we’re adding more touchless technology to make the transaction as seamless as possible. And we are introducing QR codes for guests so the menu pops up in their phone.
Chris Duggan (CRA): Many operators are going above and beyond to make sure guests feel comfortable. San Bernardino County for example is operating under the guidelines of the governor, which are very detailed. But major resources are needed. At the federal level the association is working to gain a second round of PPP funding. The National Restaurant Association is fighting to ensure this industry receives help. At the local level, the County is providing funds to mitigate costs. For anyone who wants updated information, the CRA website provides updates on what is happening at the state and federal level.
Wetzel: At Farmer Boys we reopened with a retraining program because of the requirements and guidelines, to make sure everyone had buy in on the changes. Some employees may not come back because they are too fearful. It’s important to be in constant contact and let them know you are doing all you can to keep them safe despite an environment of constant change.
My staff realized they are more likely to get COVID-19 outside of work than at work! But that’s our goal - to make them feel safe at work. The bigger challenges are from guests. Many don’t want to wear masks or social distance so we politely ask them to find someplace else to dine. We must show our team members that we will protect them so we have to be prepared for those scenarios. We’ve had situations where we had to address negative criticism because we were being so strict -- but we are doing it for both our team and our guests.
Restaurant operators can hear much more from the San Bernardino County Restaurant Readiness webinar through this recording of the one-hour session.
Application Period Now Open for California Competes Tax Credit
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to stay and grow in California. The next CCTC application period kicked off Monday, July 27, 2020, with $180 million in available tax credits.
Tax credit agreements are negotiated by GO-Biz, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, August 17, 2020 and the online application website will automatically close once this deadline has passed. The online application can be accessed at www.calcompetes.ca.gov. Members of the CCTC team are available to provide technical application assistance at CalCompetes@gobiz.ca.gov or by calling 916-322-4051.
GO-Biz is hosting a number of live webinars explaining the application process for businesses interested in applying. An application guide, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), program regulations, and access to the webinars are all available on the California Competes Tax Credit robust website.
The next informational webinar will be held on Thursday, August 6.
COVID Addressed in California Responsible Travel Code
Prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, travel and tourism spending was at an all-time high of $4.9 billion in San Bernardino County. The pandemic means we will not be coming close to these numbers, and stay-at-home orders limits traveling to members of the same family or household.
For families and households that are looking to enjoy summer weather and spend some time outdoors together, it is especially critical that they strictly follow safe and responsible practices. Not mingling with people outside of your household, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing are of paramount importance.
Visit California, a nonprofit organization that promotes and markets California as a premier tourism destination, has responded to the call for safe and responsible travel. They have established a California Responsible Travel Code asking visitors to travel with an acronym of R.E.S.P.E.C.T. by committing to seven best practices when exploring the Golden State.
The California Responsible Travel Code
California is a place of wide-open spaces that champions open-mindedness and celebrates diversity. The new Code starts with remembering to first familiarize yourself with local guidelines and regulations for different statewide destinations. From there, travelers are asked to keep these seven practices in mind.
Roam Responsibly. I will explore California thoughtfully and responsibly, maintaining the utmost respect for everyone and everything I encounter.
Educate Myself. I will do my research before traveling across the state, familiarizing myself with local regulations and community concerns, which may have changed over time. This is especially important in rural communities with limited healthcare resources.
Safety First. I will follow public health directives from government officials, including physical distancing measures. I will take all necessary steps to minimize health risks to myself and others and stay home if I’m sick.
Preserve California. I will protect and nurture the Golden State’s pristine outdoor spaces and cultural icons, by maintaining a light footprint at every turn and paying special attention to delicate ecosystems.
Embrace Community. I will support local businesses and do my part to ensure the long-term prosperity of the places I visit.
Celebrate Culture. I will immerse myself in California’s diverse local cultures and embrace the traditions and practices I encounter.
Teach Others. I will lead by example and share these practices with fellow travelers, acknowledging that we all share the responsibility to protect California.
The code and links to other important resources can be found on the California Responsible Travel Code webpage.
Free Webinars hosted by the Workforce Development Board
San Bernardino County’s Workforce Development Board has partnered with regional business experts to provide employers in San Bernardino County access to free and informative business webinars. A number of topics are scheduled for July and August. To see what is coming up and to register, go to
https://wp.sbcounty.gov/workforce/events/
Register now for these upcoming webinars:
Latest Stats
32,309 Confirmed Cases (up 7.8% from the previous day)
419 Deaths (up 6.1% from the previous day)
245,938 Tested (up 3.4% from the previous day)
For more statistics from the COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, click the desktop or mobile tab on the County’s sbcovid19.com website.
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