On July 20th the U.S. Department of Labor signaled its plan to rescind the tip-pooling restrictions put in place under the Obama Administration. It stated it will issue a “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,”specifically, “in this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Department will propose to rescind the current restrictions on tip pooling by employers that pay tipped […]
Tax Reform and What it Means for Your Personal Taxes
Tax Reform and What it Means for Your Personal Taxes President Trump, when he was on the campaign trail, promised that he would push for tax reform legislation. On December 22, 2017, he signed The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law, the first major tax reform in 31 years. The new law makes many […]
Proposed Changes to New Mexico Food Code
July 2018: The New Mexico Environment Department has proposed new rules and is revisiting the deadline for compliance with the 2017 Model Food Code. Here are highlights of the proposed changes: The Certified Food Protection Manager can be responsible for more than a single food establishment with an approved variance. The effective date for the […]
Join the 2018 NMRA Grassroots Coalition
Join the 2018 NMRA Grassroots Coaltion to learn how to get your voice heard so you can make a difference. My name is Jerry Harrell, I have been GM of the Double Eagle Restaurant in historic Old Mesilla for 23 years. It’s a busy place. I’m busy. You’re busy. I understand the demands running a […]
15 Ingredients for Successful Advocacy
This year it’s more important than ever for our members to talk to local and statewide elected officials about issues affecting you restaurant. We call this advocacy: the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. What’s better than advocating for ourselves and your employees. Here are 15 Ingredients for Successful Advocacy: Be […]
2018 – Important Election Year for Restaurants in New Mexico
A few words from NMRA CEO Carol Wight: Why is this 2018 election year important to your restaurant and why you are important to our collective voice? This election year is important because the landscape of our elected officials is drastically changing — think California. Elected officials don’t understand how to manage a bottom line […]
Gross Receipts Tax Increase Effective 7/1/18
The New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) is a required piece of your operating budget. The gross receipts tax rate varies throughout the state depending on the location of your business. Recent changes to your area may have occurred and will go into effect 7/1/18. Click here to view the tax rate schedule for your area.
Menu Labeling in Full Force and Effect
The time has come (finally)! Effective May 7, 2018, the menu-labeling regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially became the law of the land. This is a good thing – Find out why here. Does This Affect You? Restaurants and similar retail food establishments with 20 or more locations or a franchisee chain with 20 or […]
Tip Pooling Rules… What’s the big deal?
Finally a decision on tip pooling! Restaurants have the direction we need to move forward in sharing tips with the heart-of-the-house (HOH) employees (kitchen, bussers and dishwashers) – under certain circumstances. For restaurants this clarification has been long awaited. In the last few years, there have been many lawsuits and differing judgements making it difficult […]
.05 Making Criminals of Good Citizens
.05 Making Criminals of Good Citizens If you live in New Mexico you know drunk driving is a problem. It seems that headlines consistently point to drunk drivers with multiple DWI charges killing someone while driving drunk for the 8th time. Most of these offenders are well over the legal blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08. […]
NMRA Wants You To Be Ready For Your Health Inspection
9 Tips To Prepare for Your Health Inspection NMRA says the proper strategy for a successful health inspection is to be ready at all times. To stay ahead of the game, managers can conduct weekly, in-house inspections. Here are nine tips to help your team prepare: Use the same form – or a similar form […]