Confidential Bulletin

The CRA and 20 other organizations are challenging key aspects of the state's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, citing constitutional concerns, unclear compliance requirements, and potentially billions of dollars in costs. With a preliminary five-year program budget ranging from $9.4 billion to $17.2 billion, the stakes are enormous for many sectors of the California economy, includi...

With the Governor’s September 30 bill-signing deadline approaching, CRA continues to advocate for all restaurants in a final batch of consequential legislation. This week, Courtney shares two big advocacy wins: the defeat of AB 2564, legislation that would have eroded your control over your pricing and discount campaigns and a major law change to protect restaurants by establishing guardrails arou...

The CRA continues to push back on costly restaurant proposals moving through the City of Los Angeles. In this week’s News You Need to Know, Courtney breaks down proposed scheduling restrictions and employee training mandates, what happened at the latest City Council hearing, and why restaurant engagement remains critical as the details take shape.  DISCLAIMER: Stock media used in this video a...

What would eliminating sales tax on restaurant meals mean for California’s restaurants, consumers, and communities? John Pimentel joins Confidential Bulletin to discuss the proposed California Food Tax Fairness Act, a ballot measure seeking to eliminate sales tax on all food, including restaurant meals. We discuss why he introduced the measure, the case for treating restaurant meals and groceries...

The clock is ticking in Sacramento. As the California Legislature faces its midnight deadline, the CRA advocacy team works through the final hours to protect and strengthen California’s restaurant community.  In this edition of CRA News You Need to Know, Courtney shares the latest on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the growing coalition calling for changes to the program. She also...

California’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program is moving forward and the newly released costs are staggering. With an estimated $2 billion in fees in the first year and $78 billion in compliance costs over five years, CRA is helping lead a multi-industry effort urging lawmakers to pause implementation and address serious concerns before businesses and consumers are left footing the bi...

Confidential Bulletin takes you to California's Central Valley for a conversation with two respected restaurant leaders whose decades of service have helped shape both their communities and the California Restaurant Association. Host Kathie Griley sits down with Bob Farrar and Tom Ferdinani to discuss the evolution of the CRA's Fresno Chapter, the importance of advocacy, and why col...

For more than 35 years, Selwyn Yosslowitz has seen how collaboration strengthens California's restaurant industry. In this episode of the Confidential Bulletin, he shares why he joined the California Restaurant Association, how the Los Angeles Chapter helped him navigate legal and operational challenges, and why building relationships with fellow operators has been one of the most valuab...

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has changed how legal protections from association-led lawsuits apply to California restaurants. In this special edition of News You Need to Know, Courtney explains what the ruling means, why CRA's courtroom advocacy is more important than ever, and how membership helps protect your business during legal challenges. Watch now to understand what has changed and...

Your response to the CRA's Action Alert made an impact. Thanks to strong industry advocacy and your support, SB 690 has passed a major legislative milestone. In this episode of CRA News You Need to Know, Courtney explains the significance of the Assembly committee vote, how SB 690 curbs abusive CIPA lawsuits over standard website practices, and why continued engagement matters.  DISCLAIMER: S...

Summer hiring is ramping up across California’s restaurant industry, but employing minors involves unique compliance responsibilities employers must not overlook. In this episode of  Ask CRA on the Confidential Bulletin , Jackie Gutierrez from the California Restaurant Association is joined by Alden Parker from Fisher Phillips to break down key legal considerations for hiring minors. Alden ou...

In this episode of CRA News You Need to Know, Courtney explains why SB 690 is a critical bill for California restaurants. Learn how it would help stop abusive CIPA lawsuits targeting businesses over routine website activity and how you can support the CRA's advocacy efforts by responding to the latest Action Alert.  Take Action:  https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/CRA/Campaigns/138361/Res...

California’s SB 1053 plastic bag ban is causing confusion in the restaurant industry but does it apply to restaurants? In this episode of Ask CRA on the Confidential Bulletin, Jackie Gutierrez talks with Alden Parker of Fisher Phillips to break down: • Which businesses are covered under SB 1053 • Why most traditional restaurants may be exempt • The “gray areas” operators need to watch for • How hy...

In this episode of CRA News You Need to Know, Courtney shares an update on the SB 343 lawsuit and the recent court hearing on our request for a preliminary injunction. SB 343 would limit when packaging and products can be labeled as "recyclable" in California, even if they are in fact recyclable. The lawsuit challenges the law, arguing that it restricts businesses from providing truthful informati...

In this episode of Ask CRA on the Confidential Bulletin, Jackie Gutierrez of the California Restaurant Association is joined by legal experts Bruno Katz and John Guarino from Wilson Elser to break down one of the most critical risk areas facing restaurants today: harassment and discrimination claims in the workplace. They share practical guidance on how claims develop, why documentation is essenti...

Mental health challenges and workplace burnout are becoming more common across the restaurant industry, especially in high-stress front and back-of-house environments. In this episode of Ask CRA on the Confidential Bulletin, Jackie Gutierrez is joined by Bruno Katz and John Guarino of Wilson Elser to discuss practical strategies and legal considerations for supporting employee mental health in the...

Courtney is back with the CRA News You Need to Know. Today’s update covers the June 1 SB 54 deadline and what restaurants must know about California’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. The big question:  Could your restaurant be considered a “producer” under the law? While many restaurants that use standard supplier-provided food service ware may not be subject to...

California’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations are now in effect and directly impact virtually every industry, including restaurants. Courtney summarizes the objectives of the regulation, how to determine if your business qualifies as a “producer,” the next key compliance deadline, and the CRA’s ongoing efforts to address costly and conflicting regulations affecting neighborhood r...

In this episode of News You Need to Know, Courtney breaks down three bills aimed at reducing delays and easing operations for restaurants: AB 2418: Sets firm timelines for permit reviews and inspections AB 1915: Allows self-certification for routine equipment replacements AB 1740: Sets new precedent for regulatory flexibility in “Coastal Zones” These reforms are part of the CRA’s continued ad...

The Legislature is active, and restaurants are a primary focus. In this edition of  News You Need to Know , Courtney reviews key legislative updates affecting operators, including alcohol-to-go, new menu labeling requirements, misplaced liability for neighborhood restaurants, and efforts to combat against reservation piracy. Watch to learn what is advancing, what is at risk, and how thes...

In part two of this discussion, we explore the critical role of online reviews, digital presence, and operational strategies in driving restaurant revenue and reputation. Experts Lisa Landsman from Google and Joel Seidenberg from Locl  share practical tips on managing reviews, engaging with customers, and optimizing digital profiles to stay competitive. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Digita...

In this episode of News You Need to Know, Courtney explains Assembly Bill 1245 and what it means for California restaurants. This proposed law aims to stop third-party platforms from selling unauthorized reservations, which is a growing problem that can cause lost revenue, no-shows, and unhappy diners. Find out how this bill might affect your business and how the California Restaurant Association...

This episode explores how restaurants can leverage digital presence, especially Google Business Profiles, to attract more diners and improve visibility. Experts Lisa Landsman from Google and Joel Seidenberg from Locl share practical tips on optimizing online listings, managing reviews, and understanding search intent. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Online Presence for Restaurants 13:04 Understan...

News You Need to Know is welcoming a new host to the team. Join Courtney Carlmark as she shares the latest updates impacting California’s restaurant industry. In this episode, Courtney highlights our recent Capitol Hill meetings, where restaurant advocates spoke directly with policymakers about key operator issues. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped amplify the restaurant industry’s...

On Ask CRA, Laura Pierson-Scheinberg and Kimya St. Pierre of Jackson Lewis P.C. discuss political expression in the workplace. Learn how federal and California laws impact employee speech, social media posts, and employer response. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .