Media Contact:

Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
[email protected]

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is thrilled to host Don Fox, Chief Executive Officer of Firehouse of America, LLC at its next Southwest Florida Chapter meeting. Fox leads the strategic growth of Firehouse Subs, one of America’s leading fast casual restaurant brands and is scheduled to give a presentation titled, “Seven Keys for Building a High Performing Brand” on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center. Drawing on 40 years of experience, Fox will offer insight on developing and leading a high performance organization. The event is open to FRLA chapter members and non-members. Media is invited to attend.

“This is a must-see presentation that is truly inspiring. Don Fox is an incredibly engaging speaker with a wealth of industry knowledge. He helped lead the growth of the Firehouse Subs brand – one of the top franchises in the country. There’s no doubt he’s a successful veteran of the business and will motivate restaurateurs, hoteliers, and other businesses to take their brand to the next level,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Under Fox’s leadership, the Firehouse Subs brand has grown to more than 750 restaurants in 41 states and Puerto Rico. Fox sits on various boards of influence in the restaurant community, and is a respected speaker, commentator and published author. He was recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News as 2011’s Operator of the Year. In 2013, he received the prestigious Silver Plate Award from the International Food Manufacturers Association (IFMA), and was recognized by FastCasual.com as the No.1 Executive in the fast casual restaurant community.

WHAT:
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Southwest Florida Chapter Meeting
“Seven Keys for Building a High Performing Brand”
Presented by Don Fox, Chief Executive Officer, Firehouse of America, LLC

WHEN:     
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Registration and Networking
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Luncheon and Presentation
*Media is Invited to Attend

COST:
$23 Per Person
$190 For Reserved Table of 8

WHERE:     
Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center
9931 Interstate Commerce Dr.
Fort Myers, Florida 33913
*Royal Palm Ballroom

To register for the event, please email [email protected] or click here to see the event flyer.

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About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

To view the latest Capital Updates please follow the links below.

3.6.15: Capital Update Week One
3.13.15: Capital Update Week Two
3.20.15: Capital Update Week Three
3.27.15: Capital Update Week Four
4.3.15: Capital Update Week Five
4.10.15 Capital Update Week Six
4.17.15 Capital Update Week Seven

FRLA member Steak ‘n Shake continues to achieve strong results in its six-year turnaround and is about to record its 25^th consecutive quarter of positive same store sales. With 77 company-owned stores and two franchised restaurants in Florida, Steak ‘n Shake has created more than 8,000 jobs in our state.

The ongoing performance increases, which began in late 2008 when owner Biglari Holdings took over management of the 550-unit chain, are even more remarkable considering that they occurred during a period when many national quick service restaurant operators faltered in the face of shifting competition and consumer tastes. CEO Sardar Biglari and his team got the 80-year old iconic brand back on track with a return to basics, focusing on improving guest experiences and operational execution. Anything that was a distraction to these strategic priorities was eliminated, allowing the chain to build a nearly 40 percent cumulative increase in guest traffic since 2009. In its latest quarter, Steak ‘n Shake reported same store sales increased 6.6 percent, with customer traffic up 4.6 percent.

“We quickly succeeded in turning around the chain because of our entrepreneurial culture, by placing the customer first,” explained Sardar Biglari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biglari Holdings. “Steak ‘n Shake will reach a major milestone when it registers its 25th consecutive quarter of increases in same-store sales. All our approximately 23,000 employees, especially those who weathered the most perilous times in our history, ought to be proud of their achievements.”

Unlike many restaurant chains that rely on price increases and unit expansion to drive sales, Biglari has taken minimal price increases and opened only four new company stores since the turnaround began.  Instead the focus has been within the four walls of each restaurant, finding better ways to serve guests while preserving price value, improving the quality of the menu items, and tightening operations controls to improve restaurant level performance.  The result has been a turnaround that has far outpaced most competitors.

Building on its success with existing restaurants, Steak ‘n Shake has embarked upon international expansion, bringing the premium steakburgers and hand-dipped milkshakes that have made the brand famous in America to the United Arab Emirates and other nations.

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
[email protected]

(Miramar Beach, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to highlight nationally renowned songwriters at the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival. As a founding partner, FRLA is thrilled to participate in the third annual charity event scheduled for Thursday, April 23 through Sunday, April 26 in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. During the four days of lively tastings, seminars, winemaker dinners and musical performances, the festival will showcase more than 800 flavors. The FRLA will sponsor the songwriters as a continuation of the Endless Summer Music Series in conjunction with BMI, a leader in music rights management representing more than 8.5 million works of more than 65,000 copyright owners.

“These Nashville songwriters help to create the ideal environment in which to sip and savor some of the world’s finest food and wines in an exceptional beach location while supporting local children in need,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We are thrilled to continue our participation in this event, and encourage both residents and visitors alike to join us as we enjoy an incredible destination that helps make our state a wonderful place to live, work and play.”

Last year, 4,000 wine and food lovers participated in the event, and raised more than $2.1 million for the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) at an auction held during the festival. Proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to DCWAF, which has affected the lives of over 60,000 youth, including those afflicted by health issues and abuse.

Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, the songwriters will perform and tell stories about their biggest hits written for the stars of the music business, including Tim McGraw, George Strait, Kenny Chesney and many others.  The featured songwriters include nationally renowned BMI artists: Sherrié Austin, Aaron Barker, Steve Bogard, Brent Cobb, Jon Mabe, Kendell Marvel, Will Rambeaux and Tyler Reeve. The songs written by the songwriters include the current Love & Theft single, “Whiskey On My Breath,” “Baby Blue” made popular by George Strait, “The Climb” written for Miley Cyrus and Faith Hill’s “Wild One” to name a few.

Please go to www.sowalwine.com for the festival schedule and a full list of songwriters who will be performing.

# # #

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube. 

About South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
This year’s annual South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival will be held April 23-26, 2015 throughout the Town Center of Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. The festival features a stunning showcase of the best wines the world has to offer. Celebrity wine producers and chefs present fine wine and food pairings from the world’s most famous appellations. The Savor South Walton Culinary Village offers a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food tasting seminars and live entertainment. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida. For more information, including a list of attending winemakers and to purchase tickets, visit www.SoWalWine.com.

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
[email protected]

(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to highlight a diverse line up of more than 150 artists performing in more than 40 live shows at the Key West Songwriters Festival presented by BMI, a leader in music rights management. As a sponsor of the 20^th annual event, FRLA is thrilled to bring five days and nights of well-crafted songwriting to the idyllic island of Key West from Wednesday, May 6 through Sunday, May 10 in conjunction with VISIT FLORIDA.

“We are honored to sponsor the Key West Songwriters Festival as it celebrates its 20^th year showcasing songwriters and headlining acts in a one-of-a-kind destination,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “This event gives festival-goers the chance to hear the stories behind chart-topping hits and experience the restaurants, bars and hotels in Florida’s southernmost paradise.”

A majority of the shows during the festival are free including “in-the-round” sessions with writers, the kick-off party presented by SunTrust Bank at Ocean Key Sunset Pier, and a concert in the heart of Duval Street featuring Grammy-nominated vocalist Chris Young. Additionally this year, the impressive list of artists performing at some of the island’s most popular beaches, boats, bars, resorts and historic theaters consists of Rhett Akins, Robert Earl Keen, Dean Dillon, Jeffrey Steele, Guthrie Trapp and The Mule Kickers, Aaron Watson, and many more.

Proceeds from the Key West Songwriters Festival benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a pediatric treatment and research facility leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Please go to www.KeyWestSongwritersFestival.com for the festival schedule and a full list of songwriters who will be performing.

 # # #

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube. 

About the Key West Songwriters Festival
The Key West Songwriters Festival is the largest festival of its kind in the world. The event’s 1995 debut was small but memorable, featuring Mickey Newbury and Shel Silverstein. BMI stepped in as a partner and sponsor in 1996 and has helped it grow into both a tourist attraction and favorite of island locals. The festival revolves around five days and nights of free shows staged at an array of the island’s most popular drinking holes and hot spots, where live music introduces crowds to the faces, voices and stories behind the songs. Diverse lineups featuring more than 100 top songwriters deliver rare, “Key West-only” moments. More info available at www.KeyWestSongwritersFestival.com.

About BMI
Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in more than 8.5 million musical works created and owned by more than 600,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI’s repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit bmi.com, follow us on Twitter @BMI or stay connected through Broadcast Music Inc.’s Facebook page.

Contact:

Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
[email protected]

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to be a presenting sponsor with VISIT FLORIDA at the 41^st Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo held on Tuesday, April 21 through Sunday, April 26 at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. The six-day event is the second largest airshow in the world, Florida’s largest convention, and includes aircraft demonstrations, exhibits, aviation workshops, and education forums. More than 200,000 guests, exhibitors, instructors, pilots, volunteers and students from 80 countries are expected to attend.

“SUN n’ FUN inspires, educates, entertains, and encourages aircraft enthusiasts from all over the world to visit the Sunshine State,” said Carol Dover, Presidentand CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “FRLA is proud to once again be a part of this family-friendly fly-in and expo and we welcome everyone to attend. Come see first-hand the wonderful hospitality that our state has to offer.”

FRLA is committed to supporting events that promote Florida’s hospitality industry. Over the past three years, the association has proudly sponsored the SUN n’ FUN International Fly-In and Expo which does just that. In 2013, with national budget concerns looming, FRLA helped financially underpin this event so that the state and local economy would continue to benefit from the increased tourism. Last year the event attracted aviation lovers from all 50 states, two U.S. territories, the District of Columbia and an estimated 77 foreign countries. All proceeds were allocated to supporting aviation-based STEM education programs offered throughout the year at the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Center for Excellence.

Throughout the week, afternoon and evening airshows will showcase aerobatics and precision flying from the Breitling Jet Team, USAF Thunderbirds, Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron, the EAA Warbirds of America and many other performers. The event is designed to preserve and enhance the future of flight through world-class events, inspiring and educating people of all ages.

For more details about the SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo, please visit, www.SUN-n-FUN.org/FlyIn.aspx.

# # #

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
[email protected]

(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is strengthening its efforts in the panhandle with the launch of a Greater Pensacola Chapter. The kickoff meeting for the new chapter is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, at McGuire’s Irish Pub in Pensacola. FRLA is proud to announce John Bloodworth will lead the team. As the Chapter Director, Bloodworth will help support members, mobilize operations and bolster ongoing communications between FRLA headquarters and local offices. He will join FRLA’s four current regional directors, a regional manager and two other chapter directors who represent more than 20 chapters across the state.

“We understand that many of the battles that impact a business’s bottom line are hard fought at the local level and we are proud to help represent our members located in the Greater Pensacola area,” said Carol Dover, FRLA President and CEO. “This community is filled with some of the best in the hospitality industry and with John’s local expertise, we are excited for what’s to come.”

Bloodworth joins FRLA with more than twenty years of successful experience in sales and account management. He most recently worked as the Panhandle and North Florida Sales Executive for Coca-Cola North America, where he worked with small to medium-sized restaurant chains in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Panama City, Destin and the Pensacola area. Rooted in the community, Bloodworth teaches Business Communication, Public Speaking and Mass Communication at the University of West Florida. He holds a Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of Georgia and a law degree from Georgia State University.

During the meeting, FRLA President/CEO Carol Dover and former FRLA Chairman Bruce Craul are scheduled to share industry insights and provide a legislative update. The event is free and open to FRLA chapter members and non-members. Media is invited to attend.

WHAT:
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Greater Pensacola Kickoff Chapter Meeting

SPEAKERS:
FRLA President and CEO, Carol Dover
Legendary Hospitality COO and former FRLA Chairman, Bruce Craul

WHEN:     
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
10:15 AM – 12:00 PM
*Media is Invited to Attend

WHERE:    
McGuire’s Irish Pub
600 E. Gregory Street
Pensacola, FL
To register for the event, please email [email protected] or click here to see the event flyer.

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go towww.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.