News Release Category: Industry News

Statement on Hotel and Restaurant Safety During COVID-19

Contact: FRLA Communications

[email protected] 

Tallahassee – Today, Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, released the following statement in response to state and national media reports questioning the safety of patronizing hotels and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Across the nation and here in Florida, there has been an increase in reported COVID-19 cases; however, media reports that reference updated CDC guidelines have made unfair and irresponsible allegations about the safety of hotels and restaurants. There is no data to support these allegations, which can cause unnecessary panic. Florida’s hospitality industry has always had stringent guidelines for sanitation and safety and have significantly increased those standards and processes since the beginning of COVID. This pandemic has decimated our industry, whose members are trying to safely operate, welcome guests, and rebuild their livelihoods. To falsely point fingers and release hyperbolic assertions at a time when we are fighting tooth and nail to survive is shameful. Our community businesses need our support now more than ever.”

About FRLA: The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry which represents 1.5 million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of the membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. The association offers regulatory compliance and food safety training through SafeStaff® and FRLA’s subsidiary, RCS Training. The FRLA Educational Foundation provides industry-developed, career-building high school programs throughout the state.

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**PRESS RELEASE** SMALL BUSINESSES, WORKERS WORRY ABOUT MOUNTING JOB LOSSES WITH BALLOT AMENDMENT 2’S PASSAGE

**PRESS RELEASE**

SMALL BUSINESSES, WORKERS WORRY ABOUT MOUNTING JOB LOSSES WITH BALLOT AMENDMENT 2’S PASSAGE

TALLAHASSEE — Florida small business owners and workers expressed grave concern with the passage of Ballot Amendment 2 on Tuesday, which mandates a minimum wage hike of $15 for employees, putting jobs at risk and businesses in jeopardy of closing.

The amendment, funded at the ballot by millionaire trial lawyer John Morgan, is similar to initiatives that have been adopted in liberal cities across the United States, including Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, D.C. This initiative has proven to kill jobs, cut hours and close businesses.

“Given the devastating impacts COVID-19 has already had on Florida’s economy, we are extremely worried about the job losses and business closures that will accompany this mandate,” said Carol Dover, President & CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, which represents thousands of businesses that will be impacted by the excessive minimum wage hike. “We are proud of our small business owners and employees from across the state who came together to fight this amendment. We have seen too many places across the country that have implemented this wage hike, only to see workers who were promised more money instead lose their jobs altogether. We are worried about our small businesses and the Floridians who will lose their jobs.”

An economic impact study revealed Florida has already lost 336,000 jobs due to COVID-19, and Ballot Amendment 2 will kill another 158,000 jobs.

“We have stood hand in hand with our workers to fight Ballot Amendment 2,” said John Horne a small business owner in Manatee County. “For months, we have tried to educate the public about the negative impacts this would have on our industry and on other jobs across the Sunshine State. The outcome of this election does not change our concerns, but we’ll work with our team and across the industry to keep fighting to stay alive and save as many jobs as we can.”

Amendment 2 Hurts You is a campaign to raise awareness for the consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on small businesses, workers and the economy. Learn more:

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**PRESS RELEASE** GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS: “VOTE NO ON BALLOT AMENDMENT 2”

**PRESS RELEASE**

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS: “VOTE NO ON BALLOT AMENDMENT 2”

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis today urged voters to defeat Ballot Amendment 2, the proposed constitutional amendment that would mandate a statewide $15 minimum wage.

“Now is not the time,” said Governor DeSantis in a statement. “Ballot Amendment 2 would close small businesses, kill jobs and reduce wages. We need to bring our economy back. Vote no on Ballot Amendment 2.”

The Governor’s statement is the latest voice urging voters to defeat Ballot Amendment 2. Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis issued a statement in opposition to the amendment Friday. Fox Business ran an opinion Saturday detailing the devastating consequences Ballot Amendment 2 would have on Florida’s small businesses.

These powerful platforms join hundreds of businesses and workers across the Sunshine State that have been running a grassroots campaign to educate voters about the negative impacts of Ballot Amendment 2.

Small businesses and servers have suffered severe losses this year due to COVID-19, and Ballot Amendment 2 would be the lethal blow that forces many small businesses to close and hundreds of thousands of Florida workers to lose their jobs.

Their concerns are supported by numerous research reports and economic impact studies, including:

  • An economic impact study revealed Florida has already lost 336,000 jobs due to COVID-19, and Ballot Amendment 2 will kill another 158,000 jobs.
  • The National Taxpayers Union, a nonprofit that advocates for taxpayer interests at all levels of government, warned the amendment will devastate family-owned small businesses.
  • A Florida TaxWatch economic impact report said that businesses will pay an additional $7.3 billion a year to employ the same number of workers today at a $15 minimum wage.

Amendment 2 Hurts You is a campaign to raise awareness for the consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on small businesses, workers and the economy. Learn more:

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ICYMI: FOX BUSINESS: “Florida’s small businesses cannot survive a $15 minimum wage mandate”

**IN CASE YOU MISSED IT** 

FOX BUSINESS: “Florida’s small businesses cannot survive a $15 minimum wage mandate”

 

Tallahassee, FL — FOX Business published an opinion column today by Paul Caragiulo, a Florida small business owner based in Sarasota, warning about the disastrous consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 in Florida.

“We’ve seen liberal cities across the country vote in favor of minimum wage proposals. They sound good in principle — who doesn’t want our workers to have a bigger paycheck? But they have been a disaster in practice.

“In cities where this initiative has passed, small businesses were forced to close. Unlike major corporations, small businesses could not absorb the exponential increase in operating costs.

“Others were forced to cut the number of employees, cut their hours or cut their benefits, just to make ends meet.

“That’s what will happen in Florida if the proposed constitutional amendment to raise the minimum wage incrementally to $15 per hour by 2026 passes on November 3.”

Instead of helping workers increase their paychecks, this ballot amendment will cause them to lose their paychecks altogether, Caragiulo warns.

“Our small businesses have struggled to stay alive during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some have had to close. If the amendment passes, many more small businesses will be forced to shutter their doors forever.

“It will destroy Florida’s economy.”

Caragiulo, who owns a restaurant in Sarasota, knows this firsthand.

“I am a small business owner, a restaurateur in Sarasota on Florida’s southwest coast. Our industry statewide has been one of the most severely impacted.

“Many operations were forced to close across the Sunshine State, and more than 934,000 people were furloughed or laid off as a result.

“Ballot Amendment 2 would raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. That’s a 77% increase in payroll for businesses in the service industry.

“This drastic increase will force our industry to cut jobs, cut hours and cut benefits.

“The very workers this misleading amendment is intended to help would be left without jobs and without the means to pay their bills and provide for their families. It will be a lethal blow to our struggling businesses.”

Those restaurants that are able to remain open will turn to other cost-savings, including replacing workers with technology and raising prices, Caragiulo says.

“And what will Florida’s hospitality industry look like with a $15 minimum wage? Just like we’ve seen in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Seattle, the smiling faces that traditionally greet customers in establishments all across the Sunshine State will be replaced by iPads and kiosks to take your order.

“Yes, technology will replace yet another segment of human interaction. What sort of hospitality is that?

“Not only will technology replace the friendly faces we’re known for, but prices for goods and services across Florida will increase. That’s the only way business owners can cover the exponentially increasing costs of labor to make ends meet.”

In other cities across the country, exponentially raising minimum wage has negatively impacted small businesses and their employees.

“We’ve already seen this liberal scheme fail in the elitist Northeast and radical West. When the mandatory minimum wage was jacked up to $15 or more, the charming businesses that defined those regions closed their doors and laid-off workers. Their communities and local economies are skeletons of their former selves.

“Why would we apply those failed liberal policies here in Florida?

“As many as one thousand people a day are fleeing the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut region and they are moving to Florida.

“We welcome you, but please don’t bring those failed policies with you. Workers and small business owners from the Panhandle to the Keys are fighting to save their jobs. Please don’t make it harder for them.

“The election is just days away. The consequences will last a lifetime. Help us save jobs. Help us save businesses.

“Floridians, please vote NO on Ballot Amendment 2.”

Amendment 2 Hurts You is a campaign to raise awareness for the consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on small businesses, workers and the economy.

Learn more about how Ballot Amendment 2 will devastate Florida:

Help save Florida jobs by voting no on Ballot Amendment 2 this November.

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230 South Adams St., Ste 200
Tallahassee, FL 32301

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Urgers Voters to Reject Ballot Amendment 2

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, took to social media today to urge Floridians to reject Ballot Amendment 2, which will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, killing small businesses already devastated by COVID-19 and putting the jobs of hundreds of thousands of Floridians at risk.

“During these difficult times, we must protect small businesses,” his post said. “Ballot Amendment 2 would lead to thousands of Floridians losing their jobs, hours being cut, and an increase of the cost of living for seniors on a fixed income. Vote NO on 2.”

His post may be viewed here.

Ballot Amendment 2 will force businesses to slash hours, cut benefits, and eliminate jobs. We have seen this fail in other cities and at large retail brands across the nation.

Thank you CFO Patronis for advocating to SAVE FLORIDA JOBS.

Amendment 2 Hurts You is a campaign to raise awareness for the consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on small businesses, workers and the economy.

Learn more about how Ballot Amendment 2 will devastate Florida:

Help save Florida jobs by voting no on Ballot Amendment 2 this November.

 

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FRLA Members Recognized in Florida 500 for Hospitality/Tourism

Recently, several Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association members were recognized in the Florida 500 by Florida Trend in the Hospitality/Tourism sector. Here is the list of recognized members:

JIM ALLEN – Hard Rock International

MICHAEL BROWN – Wyndham

BLAKE CASPER

ALLISON CASPER

CAROL DOVER – FRLA

MARYANN FERENC – Mise En Place Hospitality

DON FOX – Firehouse

RANDY HASSEN – McKibbon Hositality

GENE LEE – Darden

KIM LOPDRUP – Red Lobster

JULIAN MACQUEEN – Innisfree Hotels

RICHARD MILLARD – Trust Hospitality

ALICE NORSWORTHY – Universal Parks

MARCELLUS OSCEOLA JR. – Seminole Casino

GENE PRESCOTT – Seaway Hotels

MARY ROGERS – Fontainebleau

STEPHEN SAWITZ – Joe’s Stone Crab

DANIEL SCHWARTZ – Restaurant Brands International

JEFF VAHLE – Disney

MICHAEL WALSH – Ocean Property Hotels

STEVE WEISZ – Marriott Vacations

The Florida 500 is a special publication that highlights the 500 most influential executives in different economic sectors throughout the state. This immense, year-long research initiative by the editors of Florida Trend has resulted in a personal look at some of the state’s most influential business leaders.

You can find the full list of influencers here.

**IN CASE YOU MISSED IT** SUN-SENTINEL: PROTECT FLORIDA BUSINESSES; VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 2 | OPINION

**IN CASE YOU MISSED IT** 

SUN-SENTINEL: PROTECT FLORIDA BUSINESSES; VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 2 | OPINION

Tallahassee, FL — The South Florida Sun-Sentinel published an opinion column today by Carol Dover, the president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. The piece warns about the catastrophic effects of Ballot Amendment 2, which would destroy Florida’s economy and workforce with a forced wage hike mandate.

“There’s a constitutional amendment on the ballot in Florida this November that — if passed — would be catastrophic to Florida’s economy. Amendment 2 would kill jobs, force more small businesses to close and destroy our state. With all we’ve suffered this year during the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot afford Amendment 2.

“Amendment 2 would raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. That’s a 75% increase in payroll for businesses in the service industry. This drastic increase will force our industry to cut jobs, cut hours and cut benefits. The very workers this misleading amendment is intended to help would be left without jobs and without the means to pay their bills and provide for their families.”

Dover speaking on behalf of businesses across the state of Florida, underscored the loss of jobs this year. If passed, Ballot Amendment 2 will be the final blow for many small businesses.

“At the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, we are proud to represent more than 10,000 members of the hospitality and tourism industry. This industry generates more than $112 billion in annual economic impact. We also support more than 1.5 million jobs for Florida’s families here in the Sunshine State.

“But during COVID-19, this iconic Florida industry has suffered greatly. Many businesses were forced to close, and more than 934,000 people were furloughed or laid off as a result. Our state unemployment rate is again in the double digits.

“Amendment 2 would be a lethal blow to our struggling businesses.”

Dover explains a similar minimum wage mandate has been tested and has failed in other cities across the nation. Many businesses were left turning to automation and technology with the forced wage hike, laying off their staff or shutting their doors due to overwhelming labor cost increases.

“And what will Florida’s hospitality industry look like with a $15 minimum wage? Just like we’ve seen in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Seattle, the smiling faces that traditionally greet customers in establishments all across the Sunshine State will be replaced by iPads and kiosks to take your order. What kind of hospitality is that?

“Not only will technology replace the friendly faces we’re known for, but prices for goods and services across Florida will increase. That’s the only way business owners can cover the exponentially increasing costs of labor to make ends meet. In this current economic downturn, we literally cannot afford Amendment 2.

“We’ve already seen this scheme fail in other parts of the country. When the mandatory minimum wage was jacked up to $15 or more, the charming businesses that defined those regions closed their doors and laid off workers. Their communities and local economies are skeletons of their former selves. Why would we apply those failed policies here in Florida?”

Dover urges voters to vote NO on Ballot Amendment 2 to help workers maintain their livelihood and opportunities for the future.

“Businesses across Florida are fighting Amendment 2. Workers from the Panhandle to the Keys are fighting to save their jobs. But time is running out.

“…The consequences will last a lifetime. Help us save jobs. Help us save businesses. Floridians, vote no on Amendment 2.”

To read the full column, click here.

Amendment 2 Hurts You is a campaign to raise awareness for the consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on small businesses, workers and the economy.

Learn more about how Ballot Amendment 2 will devastate Florida:

Help save Florida jobs by voting no on Ballot Amendment 2 this November.

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**PRESS RELEASE** TAMPA BAY RESTAURANT WORKERS HOST RALLIES TO EDUCATE FLORIDIANS TO VOTE NO ON BALLOT AMENDMENT 2

**PRESS RELEASE** 

TAMPA BAY RESTAURANT WORKERS HOST RALLIES TO EDUCATE FLORIDIANS TO VOTE NO ON BALLOT AMENDMENT 2

Tallahassee, FL — Tipped employees in Tampa Bay held multiple rallies to educate voters about the negative impacts of Ballot Amendment 2 last weekend.

Ballot Amendment 2, a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot this General Election, mandates a $15 an hour minimum wage. This will force many small businesses across Florida to cut workers’ hours, lay off employees or close completely.

On Saturday, the employees gathered throughout the Tampa Bay area in Largo, Bradenton and Sarasota to inform voters about the devastating impact it will have on their income and jobs if passed.

Misty Johnson, a server for over 15 years, turned out Saturday to help rally against Ballot Amendment 2. In a recent article, Johnson stated if the minimum wage is raised, she will lose money.

“[Ballot Amendment 2] will be taking away jobs from people that are tipped in gratuity,” says Johnson. “To the point that it would take our jobs away completely. I wouldn’t be able to take care of my family the way that I am.”

Coupled with the long-term effects of COVID-19 on Florida’s economy, Ballot Amendment 2 will have catastrophic impacts on small businesses, which are the backbone of our state’s economy.

Greg Guevara, manager of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside, notes that the wage hike won’t just affect restaurants, “It’s restaurants. It’s grocery stores, their prices are going to have to go up. All across the board, prices are going to have to go up because people can’t afford to pay $15 an hour.”

Amendment 2 Hurts You is a campaign to raise awareness for the consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on small businesses, workers and the economy.

Learn more about how Ballot Amendment 2 will devastate Florida:

Help save Florida jobs by voting no on Ballot Amendment 2 this November.

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Press Release: John Morgan Equates Small Businesses to Thieves in Ballot Amendment 2 Debate; Small Business Owner JT Corrales Urges Voters to Vote No on 2 and Save Florida Jobs

In the 2020 David v. Goliath, Small Business Defeated Millionaire Trial Lawyer

Tallahassee, FL — It was the David v. Goliath of 2020 when JT Corrales of Crabby Bill’s in Indian Rocks Beach went up against millionaire trial lawyer John Morgan in a debate about Ballot Amendment 2, the proposed $15 minimum wage.

And just like the original David in the Bible, JT Corrales won decisively, effectively outlining the devastating consequences Ballot Amendment 2 will have on the Sunshine State.

If Ballot Amendment 2 passes, businesses will close, jobs will be lost and workers will lose income. The debate, hosted by the Florida Tiger Bay Clubs Election Series 2020, and moderated by Yvonne Frye, President of the Tampa Bay Tiger Bay Club, was streamed online at noon Friday to Tiger Bay Club members across the state and through Tiger Bay Clubs’ social media channels. Corrales represented Amendment 2 Hurts You, a coalition of businesses and workers fighting to save jobs. Morgan advocated for his self-funded political action committee. During the debate, Morgan referred to small businesses as thieves claiming that “number one in theft is from restaurant owners.”

Morgan also labeled the COVID-19 global health pandemic a “boogeyman.” At the time of the debate, more than 770,000 Floridians have tested positive for COVID-19, and more than 16,000 have died.

Corrales underscored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses: “…Prior to the pandemic, we had 500 members of our team amongst our seven brands in our area. When we got shut down in March and April, in those two very critical months for tourism here in the state, that number essentially went down to zero. …We’ve been able to kind of get back to what we were. I can tell you we are at about 65% of what we were doing before the pandemic… A constitutional amendment is not the way. This [Ballot Amendment 2] will kill jobs, this will raise the cost of living, this will just overall change the way of life for the residents that call the Sunshine State home…It is 100% the wrong time.”

The debate covered a series of topics related to the proposed $15 minimum wage. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Corrales vs. Morgan on the issues.


Click here to watch the full debate.

Amendment 2 Hurts You is a campaign to raise awareness for the consequences of Ballot Amendment 2 on small businesses, workers and the economy.

Learn more about how Ballot Amendment 2 will devastate Florida:  Online at Amendment2HurtsYou.com

Help save Florida jobs by voting no on Ballot Amendment 2 this November.

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230 South Adams St., Ste 200
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Protect Florida businesses; vote no on Amendment 2 | Opinion

By Carol Dover

Special to the Sun Sentinel

There’s a constitutional amendment on the ballot in Florida this November that — if passed — would be catastrophic to Florida’s economy. Amendment 2 would kill jobs, force more small businesses to close and destroy our state. With all we’ve suffered this year during the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot afford Amendment 2.

Amendment 2 would raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. That’s a 75% increase in payroll for businesses in the service industry. This drastic increase will force our industry to cut jobs, cut hours and cut benefits. The very workers this misleading amendment is intended to help would be left without jobs and without the means to pay their bills and provide for their families.

At the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, we are proud to represent more than 10,000 members of the hospitality and tourism industry. This industry generates more than $112 billion in annual economic impact. We also support more than 1.5 million jobs for Florida’s families here in the Sunshine State.

But during COVID-19, this iconic Florida industry has suffered greatly. Many businesses were forced to close, and more than 934,000 people were furloughed or laid off as a result. Our state unemployment rate is again in the double digits.

Amendment 2 would be a lethal blow to our struggling businesses.

And what will Florida’s hospitality industry look like with a $15 minimum wage? Just like we’ve seen in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Seattle, the smiling faces that traditionally greet customers in establishments all across the Sunshine State will be replaced by iPads and kiosks to take your order. What kind of hospitality is that?

Not only will technology replace the friendly faces we’re known for, but prices for goods and services across Florida will increase. That’s the only way business owners can cover the exponentially increasing costs of labor to make ends meet. In this current economic downturn, we literally cannot afford Amendment 2.

We’ve already seen this scheme fail in other parts of the country. When the mandatory minimum wage was jacked up to $15 or more, the charming businesses that defined those regions closed their doors and laid off workers. Their communities and local economies are skeletons of their former selves. Why would we apply those failed policies here in Florida?

Businesses across Florida are fighting Amendment 2. Workers from the Panhandle to the Keys are fighting to save their jobs. But time is running out.

The election is just weeks away. The consequences will last a lifetime. Help us save jobs. Help us save businesses. Floridians, vote no on Amendment 2.

Carol Dover is the President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.