Table 16 Is Now a Temporary Office

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Considerations for Transforming Your Bar or Restaurant into a Temporary Coworking Space

While “traditional” office coworking spaces have flourished for years, a new trend is emerging to transform restaurants, bars and lounges into coworking environments. Several companies are now focused on converting well-located, but underused restaurants and bars into daytime pop-up offices complete with accessible electrical outlets, high-speed Wi-Fi and complimentary coffee. Bar and restaurant owners benefit by receiving a passive source of income during a period of the day their space would otherwise sit empty. In an industry known for fierce competition and razor-thin margins, transforming into a temporary coworking space can net a bar or restaurant 20% or more in additional revenue. That extra cash can be a lifesaver for fledgling eateries facing steep competition, increasing rents and labor costs.

Since coworking operators do not need to spend significant funds reconstructing a restaurant, they are able to offer their customers lower membership fees than traditional office coworking operators. Working out of a high-end restaurant or lounge with soundproofing offers members a quiet respite from noisy, overcrowded coffee shops and offices. Meanwhile, coworking members offer restaurants and bars a built-in market for happy hour and dinner service.

The temporary coworking model has proven successful, but like any new venture, hospitality operators should consider the business and legal risks before agreeing to lease or sublease their space.

Many new businesses fail and coworking operations are no different. Prior to executing any agreement, restaurant and bar owners should perform their due diligence and consider the coworking operator’s experience, reputation and leadership. You want to work with reputable operators with successfully-operating locations. Ask to speak with the owners of those locations. Check if complaints have been filed against the coworking company with the state or local department of consumer affairs or chamber of commerce. You should consider staffing requirements. While the coworking operator should have its employees onsite during operating hours, you may also want your own managers present.

Working Out an Agreement

If your bar or restaurant leases its space, you should first review the lease prior to entering into any agreements. Most leases include language prohibiting subleasing without the landlord’s prior written consent. Where the lease strictly forbids subleasing, you may consider approaching the landlord to discuss an accommodation. Many landlords understand the difficulty of operating a consistently profitable bar or restaurant and would rather work with you than deal with a default and the additional expenses of re-renting a space.

Property owners can enter into a lease agreement with the coworking company or opt for a non-traditional structure such as a joint venture or licensing. Your agreement can incorporate profit-sharing but should also clearly delineate roles and responsibilities.

Regardless of the business structure, your agreement should require proof of the coworking company’s insurance coverage naming the bar or restaurant as an additional insured. The agreement should contain language indemnifying your bar or restaurant from liability arising from the acts of the coworking company and its customers.

Security for You and Your Guests

Restaurant and bar owners should also consider enhancing security and surveillance systems and ensure that any alterations to the space performed by the coworking company comply with applicable laws and regulations.

With the continued rise of the gig economy, temporary coworking spaces are exploding in popularity. A carefully drafted agreement with a coworking operator can help ensure a successful and profitable relationship for years to come.

Looking for more content like this? Check out the latest issue of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging magazine here.

 

This week’s blog was written by Herman R. Lipkis of Holland & Knight, a global law firm with more than 1,250 lawyers in 27 offices throughout the world. Established in Florida, the firm has eight offices throughout the Sunshine State and provides representation in litigation, business, real estate, and governmental law. Mr. Lipkis can be reached at [email protected].

SEO is Always on the Menu

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Search Engine Optimization is a competitive and ever-changing landscape. Any article claiming to know the secrets can be out of date before it goes to print. There are, however, some SEO trends restaurants can’t ignore and some advice that seems increasingly evergreen.

Voice Search

One SEO trend for everyone, including restaurants, that’s becoming a de facto norm is voice search.  Voice search brings with it some new challenges. For example, a voice search tends to use different language than a typed search: we tend to construct proper sentences for Alexa and Siri instead of the two or three keywords we type in a browser. Fortunately, the things you can do to optimize for voice search are also the things you should be doing anyway.

Which restaurants are near me?

Searches for food and voice searches have some things in common: they are often localized, immediate and mobile-based. It is imperative that your restaurant have both a Google My Business listing and a fast, mobile-optimized website. Page speed has been a factor in search rankings for some time but indications are it is even more important for voice searches. A quicker, secure (HTTPS) more mobile-centric website will rank higher in any situation.

Mark it up.

No, I don’t mean raise your prices. I mean use the restaurant-specific markup from Schema.org. What’s that? It’s a way to indicate to search engines which pieces of standardized content they are reading. For example: hasMenu lets you specify if you publish a menu, and if so, whether it is a document or text. (Please don’t make potential clients zoom in to a photo of your menu that you took with your phone.) It even lets you specify whether you have different menus for lunch or dinner. Other examples include opening hours, payments accepted, address and which languages are spoken. All of these could help differentiate your listing in a voice search for a ‘local eatery that is open now, serving lunch’. When the user gets served the right menu for the time of day, your conversion chances will rise.

Curate Your Reputation

There is also schema mark up for customer reviews which, when implemented, can result in star ratings showing under your search listing. Imagine a search for ‘5-star restaurant near me.’’ If your site includes properly-marked review content, you’ll be in the running.

Of course, in all these searches, you’ll be competing with services such as Yelp!, which is why reputation management is a critical part of SEO. You need to be monitoring those reviews. Intervene with the negative ones, and foster the positive ones. Consider a service such as Yext for monitoring directories and external reviews. Manage them correctly and you can let Yelp! do the SEO work for you.

Looking for more content like this? Check out the latest issue of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging magazine here.

 

This week’s blog comes from Jeremy Spinks, Vice-President of Online Design at FRLA member BowStern Marketing Communications. BowStern is a fully-integrated marketing firm headquartered in Tallahassee and specializing in innovative, memorable, and results-driven campaigns for clients across the globe.

Florida Administrative Rules Govern Temporary Event Food Safety, Licensing

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Temporary events have always been a part of the American culture. Fairs, carnivals, athletic contests, farmers’ markets and local celebrations all have one thing in common – a variety of available foods. Food vendors range from restaurateurs trying to increase revenue and brand exposure to home cooks hoping to develop businesses around family recipes.

Florida Administrative Rules define a temporary event as any event of 30 or fewer consecutive days, advertised and recognized in the community, where food is prepared, served or sold to the general public. The statutes and the rules also specify food safety guidelines and licensure requirements food vendors must follow.

Most events take place outdoors and portable facilities and equipment are permitted. The minimum requirements include:

  • Overhead protection
  • Dustless flooring
  • Potable water for cleaning and hand washing
  • Approved cleaner and sanitizer for food-contact surfaces
  • A hand-wash facility with soap and single-use towels,
  • Equipment to maintain food hot (135°F or above) or cold (41°F or below)
  • A food thermometer
  • The means to protect food from environmental contamination

If warewashing facilities are not available on site, an adequate supply of spare preparation and serving utensils must be present to replace in-use utensils that become soiled or contaminated. All food must be stored and prepared at the temporary event or in a licensed food establishment. Food prepared or stored in private homes is strictly prohibited.

Except for specific statutory exclusions, food vendors must obtain a license prior to operating at temporary events. Event sponsors are required to notify the Division of Hotels and Restaurants at least three days prior to the start of the event. Division staff issue licenses on the event day after conducting a satisfactory inspection.

Fixed and mobile public food-service establishments with a current license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants, or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, may operate one unit at an event without obtaining a temporary-event license. Single-event license fees are $91 for one- to three-day events and $105 for four- to 30-day events. A $456 annual license is also available and can be used to participate in multiple events.

Licensing exclusions include:

  • Events held on property regulated by Florida Department of Health, on Native American Indians sovereign land, or on church property
  • Events lasting one to three days and sponsored by a nonprofit organization
  • Food stands operated by a nonprofit organization
  • Vendors offering only ice, popcorn, whole fruits, peanuts in the shell, prepackaged items and beverages without additions or further preparation

Food vendors, including those excluded from licensing, must follow all sanitation and safety requirements to protect public health. A temporary-event brochure and checklist published by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants is available on DBPR’s website at www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/hotels-restaurants.

Read more food safety articles in FR&L Magazine’s Food Safety Edition.

 

This week’s blog is by Carlos Lezcano, Statewide Training Manager, and Lisa Lambert, Training and Research Consultant, at the Division of Hotels and Restaurants, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Path to Power: Insights from Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s Mary Rogers

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Florida Restaurant & Lodging Magazine presents Path to Power, a feature that showcases our industry’s top hotel and restaurant leaders. The questions posed by FR&L are structured to be of interest to all readers, but particularly those readers who are just beginning to hold management roles with his or her employer. Path to Power offers insight into valuable lessons learned or experience earned by our hotel and restaurant leaders.

Our Fall 2018 Path to Power leader is Mary Rogers. Mary Rogers was recently named as the Vice President and General Manager of the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach.  She is the first woman named to this position with the Resort.

How did you get started in the hospitality industry? 

I worked for five summers in a bed and breakfast and fell in love with the service industry.   I derived great satisfaction from ensuring guests had enjoyable and memorable vacations.  I also realized that the hospitality industry would be a great gateway to travel the world, while enjoying a very fulfilling career.

Early in your career what was the most valuable lesson you learned? 

I feel the lesson that has stood with me through the years is to always treat others the way you would want to be treated.  I also feel it is very important to let our team members know that the work they do every day makes a difference, and that they are hugely important to our success.

Do you have any mentors who were instrumental in helping you achieve your goals? 

I am fortunate to have a number of mentors in this business.  Individually each played a very important part in my career development.  Most recently I have worked very closely with our President and Chief Operating Officer of Fontainebleau, Mr. Phil Goldfarb. He taught me to look at each operational department as an individual business unit, and how each unit plays their part in the overall success of the hotel.

What is the single greatest factor in the success of your career? 

I took advantage of every opportunity for growth that came my way.  In many cases it involved relocating to another state or even another country by myself, but with every move I learned something new, my career grew, my network expanded and the opportunities increased.  Do not be afraid of the unknown, take chances and grab every opportunity you have to broaden your horizons.

How have your philanthropies and giving back to the community affected your business decisions? 

Fontainebleau recently launched “Bleau Adopts”, a new internal pet adoption program that matches our employees with dogs from the Greater Miami Humane Society.  The initiative invites a dog to our hotel for a day each week where it gets to meet our team members.  So far we have found homes for nearly twenty dogs.   This philanthropic effort has had the dual effect of boosting the morale of our employees during their workday while saving the lives of many dogs.

Is there anything you would like to share with Florida’s hospitality industry members? 

Our industry is complex, ever changing and evolving.  As such, I encourage our members to stay involved and up to date with all the changes that affect our industry.  It is hugely important to be active in an organization such as FRLA, as they advocate on our behalf at the local and state level.  Use your resources wisely to ensure your voice is heard and that you partner with the right organizations to fight on your behalf.   Be involved, be heard, be seen and don’t stand on the sidelines while others make decisions that affect your business.

 

Thank you, Mary!  Congratulations again on your new role.  We wish you much success!

GET READY FOR SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY®.

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As an organization that serves local business owners and customers, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to support Small Business Saturday® this Nov 24.

Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 to help strengthen local economies. Today, it’s a holiday shopping tradition and part of a nationwide Shop Small® Movement dedicated to uniting communities and supporting all kinds of small businesses. From the corner store to your favorite diner to a trendy online boutique, it’s unique small businesses like yours that help local communities stay vibrant.

Participating in Small Business Saturday is a great way to reach new customers and promote your business. Here are some ideas for getting involved on Nov 24:

  • Let your customers know that you plan to participate in Small Business Saturday. Visit com/MarketingSupport for free promotional assets, such as ready-made social posts, to show your support.
  • On Nov 24, transform your store. Get free merchandise while supplies last to help your business make an impression. Don’t wait — apply for Small Business Saturday merchandise starting Sep 27 at com/MarketingSupport. Terms apply.
  • Connect with your community. Connect with other organizations in your community to see how you can work together on Small Business Saturday events and promotions.

Join us this Nov 24 to celebrate Small Business Saturday.

2018 Cabinet Elections Could Change Florida’s Political Landscape

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Your mailbox is overflowing with mailers, your inbox is exploding with exposés, and the political commercials are never-ending. From local commission seats to Florida’s Cabinet, candidates are working overtime to define themselves and their opponents in an effort to win your vote. It’s enough to make you want to hide your head under a pillow until the election is over. Resist the urge! Your vote is crucial, and it will play a pivotal role in the next chapter of Florida’s policy and politics.

We’ve told you about the many constitutional amendments and given you the information you need to cast your vote on those issues. While the amendments are each important, they are certainly not the only items on what’s positioned to be a very long ballot in November. All of the seats in the Florida House and half the seats in our Senate are up for grabs. And, for the first time in a very long time, every single seat on Florida’s Cabinet is open and competitive. It is no exaggeration to say that this election could significantly change the political trajectory of our state.

What is the Cabinet?

Florida’s Cabinet is comprised of the Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, and Chief Financial Officer.  Together, they make decisions on key issues such as the environment, land use, taxation, investment, and clemency.

Who’s running in these races?

While some of these races have several candidates, we’ve focused on the front-runners. For a complete list of candidates in all elections, check out this search page from the Florida Department of State.

Governor

While there are several candidates in the race for Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis (R) and Andrew Gillum (D) are presently leading the pack and running in a very tight race. DeSantis served as a Congressional representative for Florida’s sixth district, and Gillum currently serves as the mayor of Tallahassee.

Attorney General

For the position of Attorney General, Ashley Moody (R) and Shawn Shaw (D) have received their respective parties’ nomination. Moody is a former prosecutor and judge in Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, which is in Hillsborough County. She holds degrees from the University of Florida and Stetson University. Shaw is the former Insurance Consumer Advocate for Florida and represents portions of Hillsborough County as the District 61 Representative in the Florida House.

Commissioner of Agriculture

In the Commissioner of Agriculture race, Matt Caldwell (R) is facing off against Nikki Fried (D). Caldwell and Fried are both life-long Floridians. Caldwell has worked as a real estate appraiser and has served in the Florida House of Representatives since 2018, representing the 73rd District from 2010 – 2012 and the 79th District since 2012. Fried is an attorney who served as the head of the Felony Division in the Alachua County Public Defender’s Office. In private practice, she defended homeowners against foreclosure in 2007-2008.

Chief Financial Officer

Florida’s current Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis (R), is running against Jeremy Ring (D). Patronis is a partner in Capt. Anderson’s, an historic seafood restaurant owned and operated by his family, and he served in the Florida House of Representatives until he was appointed CFO following the resignation of Jeff Atwater. Ring is a former tech start-up executive, having opened the first East Coast office of Yahoo! from his New York apartment. He has served in the Florida Senate from 2006 till 2016, first representing District 31 and then District 29.

What does this all mean for me?

It is likely (but certainly not guaranteed) that legislative control will remain in the hands of the Republicans, who have enjoyed control of the Cabinet for quite some time. However, the potential for Democratic presence in or even control of the Cabinet creates the possibility of a changing political landscape. Your vote helps decide Florida’s direction.

If you need to register to vote, look up your polling place, figure out who’s running for what, or track election results, the Florida Division of Elections can help you with that. Visit and take advantage of this one-stop-shop for all the information you need to participate in the democratic process during these mid-term elections.

Get out from under that pillow and vote. You can even vote early! Make sure you get to the very end of that very long ballot and ensure your voice is heard.

Bleisure: An Opportunity to Increase Overnight Visits and Incremental Spending

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Easy traveling, invigorating sunshine and an abundant array of activities make Florida the perfect state to hold a trade show, convention or business meeting. In 2017, Florida welcomed a record 116.5 million out-of-state visitors with more than 12.8 million of them traveling to the Sunshine State to attend business events, such as trade shows, meetings or conferences. According to the latest economic data, in 2016, business travelers spend $17.3 billion, representing 15.5 percent of all visitor spending in the state.

With travel combining business and leisure on the rise, Florida has been presented with an opportunity to increase overnight visits and incremental spend. This increase in bleisure travel is attributed to millennials who see the affordability and efficiency of tacking on to existing business trips. The millennial bleisure traveler spends 4-6x more than the average traveler, and is 65 percent more likely to add at least one day of leisure onto their business trip.

This fiscal year, to capitalize on this trend, VISIT FLORIDA will launch a bleisure marketing campaign targeting domestic and international business travelers. An important component of this campaign will be Florida’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market. VISIT FLORIDA understands the meetings industry is big business in the Sunshine State, and knows properly marketing to this segment will be crucial.

In addition to the bleisure campaign, VISIT FLORIDA has created a host of programs to help VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Partners reach this vital market.

Florida Encounter, VISIT FLORIDA’s signature event for the meetings, conventions and incentive travel industry, will take place November 28-30 in Bonita Springs. The three-day trade show will bring together meeting professionals and top Florida hotels and resorts, attractions, and event suppliers to showcase Florida as the premier meetings destination. This year, based on feedback from a diverse group of industry Partners, VISIT FLORIDA is refreshing the event. New this year, Cvent’s audience will be leveraged and new standards will be used to attract and vet meeting professionals. In addition to the traditional one-on-one appointments, this year’s event will feature more opportunities to network outside the trade show floor. To facilitate these opportunities, the floor will be redesigned to feature a small meetings village, designated networking lounge, and professional photo station. CEUs will also be offered for meeting professionals in attendance. To learn more and register, go to FloridaEncounter.com.

Through VISIT FLORIDA’s partnerships with key meetings industry organizations such as Meeting Professionals International, Professional Convention Management Association, IMEX America and Connect, VISIT FLORIDA is able to offer Partners participation and sponsorship opportunities at meetings industry shows and marketplaces across the country. These options include stand sharing, meal sponsorships, in-room gifts, registration bag inserts, e-marketing to planners and speaking opportunities. To learn more about these opportunities, go to VISITFLORIDA.com/planner.

For those planning or hosting an event in the Sunshine State, VISIT FLORIDA developed Cover Your Event insurance. This free program provides coverage that will reimburse a meeting in the unlikely event of a cancellation due to a named hurricane. The premium on this insurance is at no cost to the organization planning the meeting and helps ensure meetings professionals can take advantage of Florida’s venues any time of year. To learn more, go to FloridaMeetings.com.

To assist local governments and non-profit corporations/organizations as they attract national minority conferences and conventions to the state, VISIT FLORIDA administers the Minority Convention Grant program. Funds from this reimbursement grant program can be used for marketing purposes such as, advertising, direct mail, brochure production, sales videos, presentations and other related projects. Applications for FY19/20 Grant Program will open December 2018. For more information, go to www.visitflorida.org/resources/grants/minority-convention-grant-program.

To take full advantage of VISIT FLORIDA’s meetings professionals programs and engage visitors through VISIT FLORIDA’s multiple marketing channels, join as a Marketing Partner at VISITFLORIDA.org/join. If your property has designated meeting space, VISIT FLORIDA encourages you to submit a listing to be placed on FloridaMeetings.com, a resource for planners looking to book their next meeting in Florida. For more information, call the VISIT FLORIDA industry hotline at 877-435-2872 or email [email protected].

Lucky Number 13?

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A breakdown of the 13 proposed Constitutional amendments

on your November ballot

With 13 proposed amendments on the ballot for Floridians this November, there is a lot of change for voters to consider. To help you understand what your options are, FRLA’s Governmental Relations team researched the proposed amendments and broken them down into simpler terms. This guide is intended to help our members cast informed votes and thereby wield one of the most powerful tools in democracy. If you’d like to read the full text of any amendment, simply click on the title.

It is important to note that FRLA does not take a position on all amendments. However, for proposals that will have a significant impact on our industry, we did let you know what our recommendations are. As always, if you have questions about any legislation, please feel free to reach out to Governmental Relations team at 888-372-9119 ext. 228.

 

 

Amendment One

Title: Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption

Summary: Homestead property is the property on which your permanent residence is located. If passed, Amendment One would increase the homestead exemption by exempting the assessed valuation of homestead property greater than $100,000 and up to $125,000 for all levies other than school district levies.

A YES vote supports the increase in homestead exemption.

A NO vote maintains the homestead exemption at its current level.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment One.

Amendment Two

Title: Limitations on Property Tax Assessment

Summary: Currently, property tax assessments on non-homestead real property are limited to no more than a 10% increase every year. ‘Non-homestead real property’ is any property that does not have a homestead exemption, including commercial property. This limitation of annual increases to property tax assessments on non-homestead real property is set to expire in 2019. The proposed amendment would make the limitation permanent.

A YES vote supports a permanent cap on the property tax assessments of non-homestead real property, limiting the assessments on non-homestead real property to an increase of no more than 10% every year.

A NO vote removes the cap on assessments on non-homestead real property. Starting January 1, 2019, the yearly increase on assessments would not be limited.

FRLA recommends voting YES on Amendment Two.

Amendment Three

Title: Voter Control of Gaming

Summary: The proposed amendment would establish that additional casino gambling may only be authorized under Florida law through a vote by citizens’ initiative. The amendment does not interfere with federal law regarding gaming compacts.

A YES vote would establish that casino gambling may only be authorized by a vote of Florida’s citizens, through the mechanisms established in the Constitution.

A NO vote would give the legislature the authority regarding casino gambling in Florida.

FRLA recommends voting YES on Amendment Three.

Amendment Four

Title: Voting Restoration Amendment

Summary: This proposed amendment would automatically restore the voting rights of felons once they have completed all terms of their sentence. This does not include felons convicted of murder or sexual offenses.

A YES vote supports the automatic restoration of voting rights for felons.

A NO vote maintains the current requirement that a felon’s civil rights must be restored before he or she can be allowed to vote.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Four.

Amendment Five

Title: Supermajority Vote Requried to Impose, Authorize, or Raise State Taxes or Fees

Summary: Currently, the legislature is authorized to raise taxes or fees by a majority vote. This amendment would require that any taxes or fees proposed by the state legislature must be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate. This amendment does not allow the state legislature to adopt a tax or fee that is otherwise prohibited by the Constitution. It does not apply to taxes and fees levied by local government entities.

A YES vote requires the state legislature pass taxes and fees by a two-thirds majority of both the House and Senate.

A NO vote allows for taxes and fees to be adopted by a majority vote of both the House and Senate.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Five.

Amendment Six

Title: Rights of Crime Victims; Judges

Summary: This proposed amendment creates certain rights for victims of crimes and establishes processes by which victims can enforce these rights. Further, it raises the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75 years of age.

A YES vote supports specific rights for crime victims and raises the mandatory age of retirement for judges.

A NO vote opposes the adoption of specific rights for crime victims and keeps the mandatory retirement age for judges at 70 years of age.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Six.

Amendment Seven

Title: First Responder and Military Members Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities

Summary: This proposed amendment has three parts. First, it would grant mandatory benefits and educational fee waivers to qualifying survivors of certain first responders and military personnel who die in the performance of their official duties. Next, it would require a supermajority vote of university trustees and state university board of governors to raise fees and tuition.  Finally, it establishes the state college system as a constitutional entity.

A YES vote grants mandatory benefits and educational fee waivers to qualifying survivors of first responders and military personnel, requires a supermajority vote to raise university and state college fees and tuition, and establishes the state college system as a constitutional entity.

A NO vote does not grant mandatory benefits and educational fee waivers to qualifying survivors of first responders and military personnel and maintains the current governance practices for universities and state colleges.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Seven.

Amendment Eight has been removed from Florida’s ballots.

Amendment Eight

Title: School Board Term Limits and Duties; Public Schools

Summary: This proposed amendment has three parts. First, it establishes a term limit of eight consecutive years for school board members. Next, it requires the legislature to adopt laws that will promote of civic literacy. Finally, it states the district school board will exercise control over only those free public schools established by the district school board.

A YES vote supports term limits for elected school board officials and requirements for civic literacy. A YES vote further supports permitting the state to control free public schools not established by the school board.

A NO vote opposes term limits for school board members and requirements for civic literacy. A NO vote reserves control of all free public schools to the school board of the district, regardless of who established the school.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Eight.

Amendment Nine

Title: Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces

Summary: This amendment proposes the prohibition of offshore drilling beneath all state-owned waters between the mean high water line and the edge of the state’s furthest territorial boundary. Further, this amendment proposes adding a prohibition on vaping devices to the existing provisions that prohibit smoking in indoor work spaces. It also allows local government entities to adopt more restrictive vaping regulations.

A YES vote prohibits offshore drilling and vaping in indoor workplaces.  Further, it allows for more restrictive local regulations on vaping.

A NO allows offshore drilling and vaping in indoor workplaces.

FRLA recommends voting YES on Amendment Nine.

Amendment Ten

Title: State and Local Government Structure and Operation

Summary: This amendment proposes the legislative session start in January during even-numbered years. It proposes the creation of the Office of Domestic Security and Counterterrorism within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It requires the existence of Department of Veterans’ Affairs. It ensures the election of sheriffs, property appraisers, supervisors of elections, tax collectors, and clerks of court in all counties, and removes the ability of charter counties to eliminate or make changes to these offices.

A YES vote supports: January legislative session start in even years, the creation of the Office of Domestic Security of Counterterrorism, the required existence of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the election of listed constitutional officers, and the elimination of the ability of charter counties to eliminate or change the constitutional officers.

A NO vote allows but does not require the existence of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Further, a NO vote allow constitutional officers to be selected by means other than election, and it permits charter counties the continued ability to change or eliminate constitutional officers.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Ten.

Amendment Eleven

Title: Property Rights; Removal of Obsolete Provision; Criminal Statutes

Summary: The amendment proposes the elimination of discriminatory language in regards to real property rights. It also specifies that if a criminal statute is repealed, the repeal does not affect prosecutions of that crime if those prosecutions took place prior to the repeal. It allows for the amendment (or change) of a criminal statute to affect prosecutions or penalties for crimes committed before the amendment. It eliminates the high speed rail requirement.

A YES vote supports: the removal of discriminatory language, clarifying the impact of amendment and repeal on criminal prosecution and punishment, and removing the high speed rail requirement.

A NO vote retains existing language regarding real property and retains the high speed rail requirement. It further retains the current language regarding the impact of repeal and amendment on criminal prosecution and punishment.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Eleven.

Amendment Twelve

Title: Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers

Summary: This amendment supports additional regulations and restrictions regarding lobbying following public service or judicial service. It also prohibits public officers and employees from using their positions to garner a disproportionate benefit for themselves or their families.

A YES vote prohibits public officers, agency heads, and judicial officers from lobbying for compensation before specified bodies during their term of service and for a period of six years following their term of service. It establishes a prohibition against using one’s public position for disproportionate benefit to oneself or one’s family.

A NO vote opposes the adoption of additional lobbying restrictions and ethical regulations.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Twelve.

Amendment Thirteen

Title: Ends Dog Racing

Summary: This amendment proposed an end to dog racing in Florida.

A YES supports phasing out dog racing in Florida.

A NO vote allows for the continuation of dog racing in Florida.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Thirteen.

Draw in Summer Crowds with Island Oasis On the Rocks

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Certain on-the-rocks cocktails immediately evoke summer. Margaritas, Moscow mules and mojitos, to name a few, will have summer vacationers lining (or swimming) up at your bar. Giving classic on-the-rocks cocktails flavorful new twists will make your bar stand out from the crowd at happy hour (or any hour). Here are a few easy ways to expand your menu with new, on-trend cocktails.

 

Repurposed Perfection

If you are already crafting blended cocktail favorites with Island Oasis® mix, you can expand your menu by crafting new cocktails with mixes you already have on hand without investing in extra inventory and space. The same mix you use to blend your signature margarita tastes just as good served on the rocks– no matter the flavor you choose.

Make it happen:

Classic Margarita

3 oz. Island Oasis Margarita Mix

3 oz. Water

2 oz. Tequila

Pour over ice and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve.

 

Painless Prep

Pre-batch cocktail mixes without ice and store them in the fridge for super easy serving. When the rush hits, just shake with ice, add a garnish and serve. One of the beauties of prebatching is that you can customize the size. Prebatch a handful of cocktails and serve a flight of mini drinks. Start with this twist on the popular Moscow Mule, the fastest-growing cocktail year-over-year [1].

Make it happen:

Kentucky Mule:

12 oz. Bourbon

1 carton (32 oz.) Island Oasis Moscow Mule Mix

20 oz. Carbonated Water

Batch liquid together and store in refrigerator. To serve, fill mule glass with ice and dispense matched liquid over top. Garnish with a slice of lime.

 

Craveable Creativity

Serving drinks on the rocks opens up the door to even more creative mixology. You can customize flavor by muddling fresh herbs or an on-trend flavored syrup. Customization is hugely attractive to consumers, 61% of them say they want the ability to customize their alcoholic beverages away from home [2]. Adding small nuances to an already great cocktail allows you to build enticing LTOs or sought-after seasonal sips. Pump up the drama by topping with an eye-catching (and delicious!) garnish.

Make it happen:

Peach Chipotle Lemonade:

-1.5 oz. DaVinci Gourmet® Peach Chipotle

-3 oz. Island Oasis Lemonade (dilute 1:1 with water)

Build cocktail over ice and garnish with mint leaves.

 

Offering indulgent, refreshing summer flavors is simple with on-the-rocks cocktails. Expanding your menu with Island Oasis beverage mixes is opens up your menu to new flavor profiles and serving options without driving up back-of-house costs. Stay up to date on the latest Island Oasis inspiration by following Kerry Foodservice on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

[1] Technomic Specialty Drinks, On the Menu Q4-2017
[2] Mintel On Premise Alcohol Trends: US, May 2016

RCS Training Taps Intellicheck for Partnership Agreement to Offer Age ID

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JERICHO, NY— March 6, 2018 –  Intellicheck  (NYSE AMERICAN: IDN), an industry leader in identification authentication solutions, today announced the signing of a partnership agreement with RCS Training, a subsidiary of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA). RCS Training, Florida’s premier provider of alcohol compliance and responsible vendor training for Florida’s hospitality industry, will be making Age ID™ available to trainees. Age ID authenticates driver licenses and other forms of government-issued identification spotting altered and fake IDs.

FRLA President and CEO Carol Dover said, “This partnership demonstrates our continuing commitment to provide the hospitality industry with access to the state-of-the-art tools that are critical to addressing the important issue of underage drinking. Risk management and regulatory compliance training isn’t just about assuring legal compliance. It is about making sure our trainees return to the communities they serve with a heightened awareness of their responsibilities to avert the devastating consequences that can result from underage drinking.”

Founded in 1984, RCS Training is Florida’s leader in providing risk management and regulatory compliance training programs to the state’s hospitality industry. Harnessing the resources of FRLA industry experts and former regulators, RCS Training is the largest and most respected firm of its kind in Florida.  The FRLA has over 10,000 members with the RCS Training division servicing over 1,600 clients statewide.

Intellicheck President and CEO Bryan Lewis said Age ID has proven its effectiveness. “Age ID has demonstrated its effectiveness for businesses, law enforcement and regulatory compliance agencies across the country. We are proud of our partnership with RCS Training and we know Age ID will provide their trainees with a powerful solution to the challenge of preventing underage access to alcoholic beverages and assuring regulatory compliance.”

Age ID authenticates IDs and verifies age information in real-time with 99.9% accuracy. It can be deployed on mobile devices including smartphones and tablets and can be integrated with point-of-sale solutions. The cutting-edge technology solution draws on a comprehensive, proprietary database, updated on an ongoing basis, to ensure information is timely and accurate.

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