Food & Beverage International

FEBRUARY 19, 2009

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HEADLINES

Buying in bulk bonds Sacramento eateries
There's strength in numbers, and buying power, too, as restaurateurs have found by forming a buying group so they can negotiate better deals from their suppliers. Read more...

Finding restaurant job in San Diego is no picnic
Restaurant jobs used to be easy to get. But during these tough economic times, finding work in this industry has become difficult. Read more...

Zagat releases San Francisco Dining Deals guide
This week, Zagat Survey released its first San Francisco Dining Deals guide, covering 241 restaurants in the city and nearby wine country that offer especially great values for diners. The guide is designed to lead diners toward the best values when eating in the Bay Area. Read more...

Japanese organizations unite to host food event week in L.A.
Eight Japanese government and nonprofit organizations have partnered together to host five food events March 5-8 to introduce some of the top Japanese restaurants and food providers in Southern California. Events will include a symposium on Japanese food business and a food and sake festival March 5 and a natural products expo and food demonstrations March 6-8. Read more...

Tangled Los Angeles permit process has restaurant owners howling
Restaurant owners across Los Angeles say that in its quest to ensure public safety and uphold environmental standards, the local government has constructed a Byzantine system of codes, permits and inspections that has obstructed the growth of new restaurants, tied business owners' hands and has driven developers to seek work outside city limits. Read more...

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Government Affairs

Legislature passes budget, Schwarzenegger expected to sign
After more than 100 days in a special session that ended in a 45 1⁄2-hour lockdown, the California Legislature voted early this morning to approve a massive budget package of $14.3 billion in tax increases, $15.8 billion in spending cuts and $10.9 billion in borrowing to close the $40 billion deficit. Some provisions, including an increase in the state sales tax, will affect businesses, though the restaurant industry isn't specifically affected or benefitted by the budget package. The only win during this budget process was the CRA's success in beating back a relentless proposal to target the hospitality industry for taxation by imposing a five-cents-per-drink alcohol tax. While labor-related issues, including meal and rest break reform, remained in the mix, labor unions squelched legislators from supporting the topic as part of an economic stimulus package. The fight for meal and rest period reform will continue as the CRA pushes new legislation in the state Senate. Read more...