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MISSION STATEMENT: The Memphis Restaurant Association (MRA) is the premiere support organization dedicated to the success of our industry and community now and into the future. We provide useful, accessible tools, educational services and governmental representation to promote the stability and growth of our members. The MRA is dedicated to building community relationships and involvement in order to increase membership and create a spirit of fellowship among its members.

The COD Bill & why you need to get involved & get your neighbor involved. As many of you are well aware, how you pay for wine and liquor deliveries may be about to change. Yes, I said may. Last month our state government passed a bill that will force all restaurants (and restaurants only, package stores are exempt) to pay COD for all liquor and wine deliveries. However, according to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) NO provisions have been made as of yet to implement the law. According to our contacts at the TABC, in order to allow businesses on both sides time to establish the proper systems needed to ensure a smooth rollout, it could take up to a year for them to actually put the law in place…that is Summer 2015. The liquor wholesalers, whose powerful lobby was behind the bill, are attempting to rollout the COD terms as early as August 1 of this year by erroneously claiming that it is a State mandate. Of course, if that turns out to be the case the MRA will fight to stop this, rightfully exposing this potential collusion. In a free market you make your purchasing decisions based on what is best for your restaurant and that includes payment terms. The MRA is committed to overturning this bill. But we cannot do this without the support of every restaurant in Memphis.

The wholesalers are united, well-funded and have 100% representation of every major distributorship in the state. Currently only a small percentage of the City’s restaurants are actual MRA Members and even fewer donate to the MRAPAC. If you’re not a member of the MRA, join today. If you are a member, please go talk to your friends and neighbors and explain why their membership is so important. Unless all restaurants can come together this will continue to be a one-sided fight…with the Wholesalers coming out on top!

Slainte,

Patrick ReillyMajestic Grille522-8555, FAX: 328-5655patrick@majesticgrille.com

The MeMphis RestauRant association Newsletter

July 2014Volume 25 • Number 7Tips

Located in Canis Major (one of Ori-on’s two hunting dogs) is a star named Sirius, also called the “Dog Star.” With the exception of our sun, Sirius is the brightest star visible from Earth. The brilliant, blue-white star’s name comes from the Greek word for “searing.” Because Sirius is so bright, it was easy for early astronomers to track. During early summer, Sirius was vis-ible in the southwest after sunset. But by the time mid-summer would come along, Sirius would rise and fall with the sun and get lost in the daytime light. The ancients knew that the “Dog Star” was still there, up in the sky with the sun during the hottest time of the year. They reasoned that since Sirius was so bright and up there with the sun, it must be adding to the heat to produce the hottest time of the year.

It’s that time!

SIRIUS

Canis Major

The Dog Days are Here! The latter part of summer is known as The Dog Days, but do you know why?

Hilton Worldwideselects The Soulsville Charter School to be supported during its Global Week of ServiceOctober 19-25, 2014

Hilton Worldwide has selected The Soulsville Charter School as one of 14 signature volunteer projects worldwide to be supported during the company’s third annual Global Week of Service, held October 19-25, 2014. As a signature project site, more than 100 executives and team members from the company’s Memphis Operations Center will volunteer their time at The Soulsville Charter School to help enhance the campus for students, teachers and parents. Projects will include creating an outdoor class-room; building raised garden beds; creating new flower beds; adding small greenhouses; painting railings and walkways; and much more. Please consider donating meals and refreshments that can be distributed to the volunteers. Local media will cover this event, so there are possible partnerships to be developed from the media coverage. Contact Christine Miller, Hilton Worldwide, 901 374 6462, christine.miller@hilton.com. For more information about Hilton Worldwide and its corpo-rate responsibility initiatives, click here.

A 3-Course Discussion on Memphis’ Culinary Culture

PRSA MemphisThursday, August 14, 201411:30 AM to 1:00 PMThe University Club1346 Central Ave

Something’s cooking in Memphis. While the city has al-ways been a staple for barbecue, Memphis’ culinary palate is evolving. You’ve probably read about it in Food & Wine, GQ and The New York Times. Join us for Public Relations Society of America’s Mem-phis’ monthly luncheon where John T. Edge will present a 3-Course Discussion on Memphis’ Culinary Culture. Cost is $25 per person. CLICK HERE to reserve your spot. Course 1Traditional - BBQ is the traditional story of Memphis. Course 2Chef-Driven - The current story is the crop of chefs like Kelly English (Restaurant Iris), Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman (Hog & Hominy) and Jonathan Magalenese (Los Tortugas Deli Mexicana) Course 3New Ethnicity - The future is ethnicity as filtered through the South.

Don’t Miss Out!MRA Associate Coffee Club Panera -Laurelwood ThursdayAugust 7th8 – 9 am

The Soulsville Charter School (TSCS) will prepare students for success in college and life in an academi-cally rigorous, music-rich environment. TSCS serves approximately 600 inner-city students in grades 6 through 12, with a strong focus on academics, disci-pline, character-building, and preparedness for college. Among TSCS’ three graduation classes so far, every senior has graduated and has been accepted to col-lege. In all, 188 seniors have been accepted to college with more than $20 million in scholarships and grants.

MRA 2014 CALENDAR

DATE EVENT LOCATION TIME AUGUST 7 MRA Associate Coffee Club* Panera -Laurelwood 8 – 9 am 13 Board Meeting TBD 3- 4:30pm

SEPTEMBER TBD General Business Meeting & Mixer TBD 3:30- 6:30pm 24 Board Meeting TBD 3- 4:30pm

OCTOBER 22 MRA Golf Tournament Mirimichi Golf Club 9am

NOVEMBER TBD General Business Meeting & Mixer TBD 3:30- 630pm 6 MMHLA Allied Café Holiday Inn U of M 10-2pm 6 MRA Associate Coffee Club* Panera -Laurelwood 8 – 9 am 19 Board Meeting TBD 3- 4:30pm DECEMBER TBD Hospitality Industry Holiday Gala TBD 4-8pm

* FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS ONLY

Business Meetings & MixersBoard Meetings

Associate Coffee ClubsEvents & Socials

Service Industry Nights!

For More Information contact: Michael Hunter at 901-722-0212

michael.hunter@memphisredbirds.com

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Event Sponsor: (1) game 20 Field Box Tickets Opportunity for group members to participate in on-field

contests between innings PA and Video Board recognition during 2 inning breaks

Total Investment: $400

Service Industry Night with the Redbirds

Two Packages to Choose from:

Presenting Sponsor: (both games) 30 Field Box Tickets per event Opportunity for group members to participate in on-field

contests between innings Logo featured on Redbirds promotional collateral PA and Videoboard recognition; pre-game, in-game, & post-game Pre-game interview on-field In-game radio interview with Memphis Redbirds Broadcaster

Total Investment: $5,000 *installment plans available

Chance to participate in

on-field activities!

Monday, August 11 @ 7:05PM vs. New Orleans Zephyrs Tuesday, August 26 @ 7:02PM vs. Fresno Grizzlies

For More Information contact: Michael Hunter at 901-722-0212

michael.hunter@memphisredbirds.com

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Event Sponsor: (1) game 20 Field Box Tickets Opportunity for group members to participate in on-field

contests between innings PA and Video Board recognition during 2 inning breaks

Total Investment: $400

Service Industry Night with the Redbirds

Two Packages to Choose from:

Presenting Sponsor: (both games) 30 Field Box Tickets per event Opportunity for group members to participate in on-field

contests between innings Logo featured on Redbirds promotional collateral PA and Videoboard recognition; pre-game, in-game, & post-game Pre-game interview on-field In-game radio interview with Memphis Redbirds Broadcaster

Total Investment: $5,000 *installment plans available

Chance to participate in

on-field activities!

Monday, August 11 @ 7:05PM vs. New Orleans Zephyrs Tuesday, August 26 @ 7:02PM vs. Fresno Grizzlies

To book your group call or email: Nick Hays at 901-722-0287

nick.hays@memphisredbirds.com

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Monday, August 11th $24 per person Field Box Ticket “All you Can Eat” Buffet

Nachos Hotdogs &

hamburgers Cole slaw Popcorn & ice cream soft drinks

Service Industry Nights

Benefits of booking a group of 20 or more: Group announcement on our videoboard during the game

Take a group picture with Rockey on-field before the game!

Two Great Packages to Choose from:

Tuesday, August 26th $11per person Field Box Ticket “Two for TWOS-day Specials”

$2 hotdogs $2 sodas $2 popcorn $2 off select Beers

Chance to participate in

on-field activities!

First pitch is at 7:05pm

Memphis Redbirds vs. New Orleans Zephyrs or

Memphis Redbirds vs. Fresno Grizzlies

First pitch is at 7:05pm

Group &Sponsorship

Packages

SteamCleaning

Restaurant FireSuppression Systems

FireExtinguishers

One Source for All Your Fire Protection Needswww.statesystemsinc.com

(901)542-0612

5900 E. Holmes Road363-4541 • 800-850-3310

CALL 360-9197For the Nearest Restaurant Equipment Dealer

distributors of:

1200 Pike AvenueNorth Little Rock, AR 72114501-978-5000 1-800-777-2358

What matters to you, matters to us

Customer Service 1.800.968.4164

“Home of Flat Rate Processing.”

• One Flat Rate for credit cards• 24/7 Support

• Free gift and loyalty card processing• Call us today for a free analysis!

• Tiered and pass-through programs also availablewww.flatratesolutions.net

Brian Edwards (901)570-0008 office (800)588-5089 fax

For your total non-alcoholic beverage needs contactcall: 901-454-8657

FEDERAL EQUIPMENT DEALERS, INC.Restaurant Equipment & Supplies

4800 Summer Ave.901-683-2700Fax: 901/683-2709

“Selling, Installing and Servicing the #1 Windows Restaurant Touchscreen Point of Sale System.”

8410 Wolf Lake Drive • Suite 106Bartlett, TN 38133Office: 901.377.9880or call Carl Webb @ 901.606.8200

Supporting Memphis’ restaurateurs unique needs.

“Not just real estate”Alex Fauser, Commercial Division901-758-5622Nashville/Memphis/Chattanooga/Little Rock

For more information, scroll to an ad and click.

M. PALAZOLA PRODUCE 2713 Chelsea Avenue

452-9797

A.S. BARBORO, INC.5020 Tuggle Road795-5310

485 N. Hollywood St. Memphis TN 38112(901) 458-2503

WWW.CHEFS-SUPPLY.COM

SERVING THE MID-SOUTH FOR OVER

45 YEARS!

Maximize your profitability …with Heartland Payment Systems® — the National Restaurant Asso-ciation and Tennessee Hospitality Association’s exclusively endorsed provider of card processing, gift marketing and payroll and tip manage-ment services. For more information, contact Ginger Rogers DeMaris, at Ginger.DeMaris@e-hps.com, 501-278-6928 cell

4359 B.F. Goodrich Blvd.795-2300

“Committed to Quality Service”

For more information, scroll to an ad and click.

LEADER IN SMART, SAFE, SUSTAINABLE OILMANAGEMENT FOR THE FOOD INDUSTRY.

Julie A. BrionesAccount Managerjbriones@rti-inc.comcell 901-619-7803Customer Care 1-888-796-4997

Marty HallOn-Premise Sales Representative

West Tennessee - Restaurants

671 S. Rowlett West Collierville, TN 38017Phone 901.853.5704 • Fax 901.853.5728 • Repair 866.287.3774

dwayne.hall@pepsiamericas.com

Interested in this Space?

contact: kimberly@memphisrestaurants.com

Interested in this Space?

contact: kimberly@memphisrestaurants.com

3R Project (Division of Corrections/ reentry program)John H. Freeman ............545-3175(office),596-8846(cell)

email: John.Freeman@shelbycountytn.gov Project MOSTPatricia Melton ...................................................222-8868

email: patricia.melton@shelbycountytn.govCommercial Appeal Jennifer Biggs, Food Editor ............................ 529-5223 email: biggs@commercialappeal.comFederal Probation Re-entry Program Gloria Simpson .............................................495-1460

gloria_simpson@tnwd.uscourts.govGreater Memphis Chamber Angela Michaels, Manager/Member Services ..... 543-3546

email: amichaels@memphischamber.comMemphis Convention & Visitors Bureau Mary Schmitz, Tourist Information Link ......... 543-5327 email: mary@mcvb.orgMemphis Flyer Hannah Sayle ................................................ 626-3489

email: sayle@contemporarymedia.comMemphis Magazine Marilyn Sadler .................................................575.9451

email: sadler@memphismagazine.com

Memphis Light Gas & Water24 Hour Outage Number: ................................ 544-6500 (after business hours)24 Hour Emergency Number: ..................................528-4465 (Call for burst water pipes, gas leaks, power line down)Commercial Resource Center: ....................... 528-4270(outage information during regular business hours, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)........................ email: crc@mlgw.orgResidential & Commercial Electric Outage Reporting (reports status of current outages) ..................... 544-6500Al Sander’s Direct Line ............. 528-4143, 491-5235 (cell)(Use this number during business hours for suggestions and tips on how to best utilize your energy sources.)

email: asanders@mlgw.org

Memphis & Shelby County Code Enforcement Ask for a Building Plans Examiner ..................... 379-4270Memphis & Shelby County Health Department Otho Sawyer, Assistant Manager ................... 222-9213 email: Otho.Sawyer@shelbycountytn.govNational Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Randy Horn, Territory Manager...................... 605-5774 email: randy.horn@comcast.netProject Green Fork Margot McNeeley ............................................ .292-1700ServSafeTIPS Alcohol Server Training Certification Richard Zurburg ...............................................861-2535

rzurburg@comcast.netTennessee Hospitality Association Melissa McIntyre .......................................615-385-9970 email: melissa@tnhospitality.netTIPS/TABC Certification Sharon Sumrall .....office: 737-6755 or mobile: 569-1207

Visit us on the web!

Like us on facebook!

Important Numbers At a Glance

President ............................... Patrick Reilly, The Majestic Grille522-8555, FAX: 328-5655

patrick@majesticgrille.comVice-President ...........................Shawn Danko, Kooky Canuck

578-9800, FAX:578-9808 swdanko@comcast.net Treasurer .....................Lisa Franklin, Interim Restaurant & Bar

818-0821, FAX:818-0819 lisa@interimrestaurant.com

Secretary ........ Kate Pera, Catering for U, Alfred’s, Automatic Slims528-1748, kate@cateringforu.com

Sergeant-at-Arms .... Daniel Bamrick, Peabody Hotel Memphis529-3687, FAX: 529-3639

daniel.bamrick@peabodymemphis.comPast President .......................................... Mike Miller, Patrick’s

682-2853, FAX:767-9673redrockmm@gmail.com

2014 Elected Restaurant Officers

Samantha Dean, Huey’s .............................................726-9693, FAX: 726-5162sdean@hueys.cc

Ernie Mellor, Hog Wild Real Memphis BBQ &A Moveable Feast Catering .............................................................901-522-9453

pitmaster@hogwildbbq.com

2014 Appointed Officers Restaurant Members

Eric Vernon, The Bar-B-Q Shop ............................................................ 272-1277 evernon001@gmail.com

Jerry Wilson, Fino’s from the Hill .............272-3466, jerrywilsonjr@yahoo.comJ.D. Sledd, Chiwawa ..........................901-848-4099, jd@chiwawamidtown.com

Associate MembersHale Barclay GEM Restaurant Supply ..............................................................

744-7005, FAX: 744-7069Hale@GemRestaurantSupply.com

Louis Costabile, SYSCO Memphis, LLC ...................369-9287, FAX: 375-8855costabile.louis@mem.sysco.com

John Seay, State Systems, Inc. .......................................................... 489-0421jseay@statesystemsinc.com

Ginger Wilkerson, Athens Distributing. ............................................. 774-8888gwilkerson@athendistributing.com

Maury Wade, U. S. Food ...........................230-4186, maury.wade@usfood.com

Hotel/Lodging Representative:Wayne Tabor, Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Assoc. .............. 525-5491

wtabor@hisdowntownmemphis.comTourism: Mary Schmitz, Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau ....543-5327, FAX: 543-5350

mary@mcvb.orgExecutive Director: Kimberly Carlson ........................ 488-4745, 1-888-836-5061

kimberly@memphisrestaurants.comP.O. Box 770027 Memphis, Tennessee 38177 901/788-1000 • FAX 1-888-836-5061http://www.memphisrestaurants.comE-mail address: dining@memphisrestaurants.com

TheMeMphis RestauRant association

Newsletter

TipsThe 2014 MRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS“Our Members Hotline to the Association”