One Community. One Vision. One Voice.
6036 Six Forks Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: (919) 844-0098
Member Recipe of the Month from Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen
8 ounces Carolina
Trout portion – filet
1 ounce oil - canola
¼ head romaine lettuce, root
end intact
3 fl ounces Lady Pea
Vinaigrette
2 tablespoons pecans, toasted
and chopped
1 ounce cheese – goat chèvre
2 tablespoons onions – green,
chopped
12 www.NCRLA.biz
Brush the sides of the romaine Campfire Trout
wedge with oil and sprinkle
with salt and pepper. Grill for
90 seconds on each side until
lightly charred, but not wilted.
Season trout with salt and
pepper to taste. Ladle oil into
cast iron skillet and place trout
flesh side down to cook until
crisp. Flip and crisp the skin Want to share?
side. Submit your recipe to:
DerekL@ncrla.biz
Place grilled romaine on a large
plate. Place trout over the top.
Ladle 3 fluid ounces of Lady
Pea vinaigrette over fish and
then top with a sprinkling of
toasted pecans, goat chèvre and
chopped green onions. Makes 1
serving.
 October 2009

Community NCRLA , NRA , and AH&LA Keeping an Eye on Health Care Reform
Calendar
October 21 O ne of the most storied and historic restaurants in New
York City, Café des Artistes, which had been in business
since 1975, recently became a victim of the health care crisis in
Charlotte Chapter America. The restaurant closed on August 9 for a month-long
Golf Tournament vacation and was scheduled to resume operations on September
14th, but facing heavy losses and a union lawsuit over health
October 26 and pension benefits, the owners made the decision to close the
café permanently.
NRA / NCRLA PAC
Fundraiser
Angus Barn, Raleigh The restaurant’s business had been slightly down due to the
economic crash, but its problems went beyond its recession
doldrums. Café des Artistes was unionized and the restaurant Currently, up to 80% of
visit paid about $250,000 per year to cover its employees health and hourly employees must hope
NCRLA.BIZ pension benefits. When the restaurant fell behind on medical that an apple a day keeps the
for more details insurance funds, the union demanded payment in court. All doctor away.
of this proved to be too much for even this landmark New
York City restaurant to handle, and now it is gone. With the
combination of a tough market and healthcare crisis making it tough for even the most well
established big-market restaurants, how will North Carolina restaurateurs fair?

2010 Window Decals With North Carolina being one of the least unionized states in the country, it seems unlikely
will be arriving soon! that the exact scenario would play out in our state, but with the rising cost of healthcare,
...continued on page 2
®
The Newest Sensation in Employee Benefits and Fundraising: hCard

T here is a new fundraising sensation sweeping its way across North Carolina.
The program is called hCard®, and the NC Hospitality Education Foundation
(NC HEF) has recently announced that it will be using this program to help raise
money for scholarships and grants that will be provided for students who wish to
enter a culinary or hospitality field.

The hCard®, which is available through the NCRLA website or the Schoolheart
website (www.NCHEF.schoolheart.com) can be purchased for $25 dollars. From
that purchase, 50% will go to the NC HEF for scholarships and grants. The other The hCard fundraising program is
50% goes towards a program that allows the cardholder to receive free roadside taking the nation by storm as both a
assistance, as well as an astounding variety of other discounts and services. fundraiser and an employee perk.

NC Hospitality caught up with Wendy Bard, the Raleigh Area Manager of School-
Heart and The hCard® Program, to discuss the hCard® and how it can help the
hospitality industry.

NCH: What makes the hCard® program unique?

Wendy Bard: The cardholder benefits, and at the same time helps their favorite
organization, independent business owners, as well as merchants and businesses. The
entire community benefits. www.NCRLA.biz 1
...Read the full interview on page 9
 Health Care, from page 1
similar problems are arising. Restaurant owners all over
the state have made it clear that they would love to be
able to cover health care costs for all employees, but with
the average profit margin being 3-4%, they simply cannot
afford to.

Some proposed legislation would require all companies

to provide health insurance or pay a $100 per day per
employee penalty, which would be quite challenging for
small businesses and would drive others out of business
completely. Companies with large groups may be able to
absorb the costs but small businesses and franchisees could
be forced to raise prices or cut payroll unless the plans
include ways to mitigate expenses.

According to the People Report’s 2009 Corporate

Compensation and Benefits Survey, which was published
in August, 48 percent of restaurant chains offer health
benefits to part-time hourly employees. The same report
also says that 94 percent of chains offer benefits to full- NCRLA Corporate Partners
time hourly employees, with slightly more than half of the
cost paid by the employee. While more than 80 percent
of corporate employees and about 75 percent of restaurant
managers take advantage of benefits, only 20 percent to 25
percent of eligible hourly employees enroll in benefit plans.

In early September, President Obama spoke to congress

and gave his support to a public option for workers who
cannot afford to buy health insurance, which would
certainly ease the burden of restaurant and hotel owners
who would not have to shell out additional money when
times are already very tight.
SIA GROUP
NRA president and CEO, Dawn Sweeney, encourages INSURANCE BONDS
•

all members to contact their representatives in Congress:

“With 945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a
workforce of 13 million employees, we can’t afford not to WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
be heard,” she said.
Christopher R. Fielding, CPA PC
Finding ways to provide meaningful health care for Tax Help! Accounting Group, Inc.
restaurant employees is essential to the restaurant industry
and our nation’s future, but it cannot be done at the cost
of countless small businesses within the state. NCRLA NC Hospitality is the Official Publication of the
and NRA continue to advocate fair healthcare reform on North Carolina Restaurant
behalf of all of its members and urge all members to stay
and Lodging Association
involved in the debate by contacting your representatives
in congress and making your voice heard. News Items and Advertising Inquires:
Derek Levandowski
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
DerekL@NCRLA.biz
(800) 582-8750

2 www.NCRLA.biz
U.S. Foodservice™ is the leading broadline distributor of food and non-
food items in the Carolinas. Working as partners with our customers,
our entire team is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help our
customers reach their business goals. To us, “partnership” is more than
a slogan or a promise; it is defined by action and demonstrated by
serving our customers with Integrity Beyond Compare, Service Beyond

Expectation and Resources Beyond the Ordinary. Our commitment to

building lasting relationships and offering innovative services make us

your partner beyond the plate.

raleigh Division Fort Mill Division
919.404.4100 803.802.6000
www.raleigh.usfoodservice.com www.fortmill.usfoodservice.com

Menu Development Expertise

ServSafe® Training

The Industry’s
Best Food Shows

Market Updates

www.NCRLA.biz 3
 NCRLA Buyer’s Guide: Are You Using This Great Resource?
As a valued member of the North Carolina
Restaurant and Lodging Association, you have
access to the NCRLA Buyer’s Guide.
Everything you need is just a click away!
Get in touch with the
TOP RESTAURANT AND HOTEL
SUPPLIERS IN NORTH CAROLINA
many who are looking to
help you save money.
Discounts for our Members
on Restaurant and Hotel Supplies!
. . . N e w s F r o m O u r N a t i o n a l Aff i l i a t e s . . .
RPI shows improved outlook for restaurants
The National Restaurant Association’s monthly
composite index increased in July for the first time in
three months. “Although restaurant operators continue
to report soft same-store sales and customer traffic
levels, they are more optimistic about improving
conditions in the months ahead,” NRA’s Hudson
Riehle said.
Small businesses can expect tight credit
Experts say financing will continue to be a problem for
small businesses as recovery from the recession goes on
because big banks have cut back credit and small banks
do not have enough capacity to fill the gap. “We have
to figure out how to get to the institutions and avenues
small businesses actually use,” says William Dennis
of the National Federation of Independent Business
Research Foundation. Experts say more creditworthy
businesses are being denied credit.
4 www.NCRLA.biz
Visit ncrla.biz and click “Supplier Listings”
at the bottom of the page.
You will then be able to search for specific types
of suppliers to meet your needs.
Analysts: travel industry poised for recovery
A recent analysis from Piper Jaffray and Citibank
indicates that the end of the downturn is about over
and the recovery should be beginning for the travel
industry. For example, weekend rates and revenue per
available room at U.S. hotels have been steady this
summer, while the European hotel industry has seen
consistent upward gains.
Some travelers refuse to pay for Internet at hotels
Computer consultant Randall Blinn is one of many
travelers who refuse to pay for Internet access at hotels
and will book rooms accordingly. “It really irritates
me that the more expensive hotels charge for Internet
access when the inexpensive hotels provide it for
free,” Blinn said. Hotels continue to charge for such
services, however, as they strive to deal with declining
occupancy rates and look for ways to bolster their
 P R O U D S U P P O R T E R O F N C R L A

WE KEEP YOU UP
AND RUNNING.
Hobart Service Programs
• Full Kitchen Service AUTHORIZED SERVICE
Hobart Technicians have the ability to
work on most brands of food equipment
• Parts and Accessories
Over 35,000 parts and accessories available for overnight
delivery from our National Distribution Center

• Service Contracts
Full parts and labor protection

• Service Repairs
We Service most major brands. Includes 24 hour emergency
service

• Preventive Maintenance
Ensures against costly and unexpected downtime

• Delivery and Installation Ask your local branch about the

many other brands we service.
• Water Treatment Systems
Designed to enhance equipment performance, quality, and
prolong its life-cycle

Now offering Refrigeration Service at select locations:

RALEIGH - CHARLOTTE - FAYETTEVILLE

North Carolina Servicing Locations:

Winston-Salem Norfolk, VA
(336) 765-8950 (757) 424-5500
Raleigh
Greensboro
(919) 231-9589
Asheville (336) 378-1731
(828) 654-9005 Charlotte
Kinston
(704) 527-6381
Fayetteville (252) 522-3424
(910) 424-2210

Wilmington 888 4HOBART

(910) 791-5313 www.hobartservice.com

www.NCRLA.biz 5
 2009 PAC Golf Tournament Recap

T he 20109 NCRLA Political

Action Committee (PAC) Golf
Tournament was held on Monday,
September 14th at the Washington
Team First Place (54):
Duke golf course in Durham North
(Outback Steakhouse)
Carolina. On what couldn’t have been
J. Enoch, C. Spencer,
a more beautiful day, over 50 golfers
J. Foley, K. Lindgren
participated in the annual event. The
tournament is held to raise money for
Longest Putt:
the political interests of the hospitality
The winning team, made up of (Outback Steakhouse)
industry. This year’s event raised over
members from Outback Steakhouse, Courtland Spencer
$8,000 for the PAC.
put up an impressive score of 54.
Longest Drive:
This year’s contest featured several
(Outback Steakhouse)
mini-games, including prizes for the
James Foley
longest drive, closest to the pin, and
best putting skills. The NCRLA
Closest to the Hole:
thanks all those who participated and
(Outback Steakhouse)
looks forward to an even bigger event
Tim Block
next year.
Putting Contest:
(Royal Cup Coffee)
Community Contest: Sam Joyner

HALLOWEEN FUN!
Send us your best
Halloween door
decorations, pumpkins,
or staff costumes!
*Take advantage of our Reduced Rates for all fellow NCRLA Members
Email your pictures to For all of your Refrigeration, Restaurant Equipment, HVAC service, repairs,
DerekL@NCRLA.biz and maintenance needs.

* Specializing in all Restaurant & Food Service

Look for the pictures Equipment Repair
in a future edition *Refrigeration / HVAC
of NC Hospitality! *CFESA Certified Technicians/Certified by most
equipment manufacturers
* NCRLA Member
*Insured $1,000,000 Liability and WC

24/7 “On Call” Technicians

We would welcome the opportunity to serve you.

tel: 919.534.3000
Fax: 919.534.3600

6 www.NCRLA.biz
2009 PAC Golf Tournament Recap

www.NCRLA.biz 7
 Member Profile: O.Henry...O-mazing!

T he locally owned O.Henry Hotel of Greensboro

provides a mix of gracious southern hospitality,
informally elegant dining and luxurious modern
amenities. The O.Henry Hotel is privately held, and it is
operated by Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants & Hotels.
The hotel was erected to replace the original O’henry
hotel which opened in
1919 and was razed in
1979. The new O.Henry
followed nicely in its
footsteps in 1998.

The hotel shows off its

southern style with a
complimentary “home-
cooked” breakfast buffet
is served in the hotel’s
pavilion each morning.
Other amenities include The eight-stories of red brick are only
32 inch flat screen part of what make the O.Henry
hotel of Greensboro stand out.
televisions and high-speed
wireless internet access.

The hotel gets its namesake from William Sydney Porter,

who was born in Greensboro on September 11, 1862.
Under the pen name O. Henry, Porter authored “The
Gift of the Magi,” “The Last Leaf,” “Of Cabbages and
Kings,” and “The Ransom of Red Chief.” O. Henry was
one of the most popular authors of his time and his work
remains well-liked even today. His stories are filled with
remarkable characters, strange plot twists and descriptive
accounts of distinctly American times and places.

Porter passed away in 1910 and when the first O.Henry

Hotel was built in 1919, the New York Times reported
that, “No memorial could be more appropriate for ‘O.
Henry’ than a hotel and that no other would have pleased
his fancy.”

The new O.Henry Hotel remains impressive today. On

their website, OHenryHotel.com, they pride themselves
on “comfort, style, cleanliness, accessibility, durability
and service.” Me mateys say Suburban Cylinder Express brings the
propane to your patio heaters, so you don’t have the
The O.Henry Hotel of Greensboro reflects a majestic and hassle and yer customers don’t shiver their timbers.
ostentatious era that allows guests to feel as if they were 1.888.33.GRILL or grill-on.com
stepping into an O.Henry classic novel.
For more on this great hotel, visit
www.OHenryHotel.com. Some companies fill their tanks to only 15 lbs.

8
www.NCRLA.biz
 Wendy Bard Talks hCard...Continued from Page 1
NCH: What are some of the best benefits to the hCard®?
WB: The hCard® benefits include Roadside Assistance, Emergency Contacts Service, prescriptions discounts at 53,000+
locations, hotel and travel discounts, plus hundreds of other national and local savings! (Card holders will also save up to 25%
every time they dine out at participating restaurants in both North Carolina and Nationally)

NCH: How long does the card last, and can you use the discounts more than once?
WB: The hCard® is an annual card and the card can be used unlimitedly at participating merchants.

NCH: How has the response to the card been from people who have purchased it?
WB: We have many great testimonials from cardholders such as this one…

“My name is John Posey and I am the owner of the Raleigh, NC office of Home Instead Senior Care. I am involved with the
Alzheimer’s Memory Walk in my area and the association has their very own Memory Walk hCard.
I want to express my delight at how the hCards I have bought my employees have been received. My employees think it is the
best gift I have ever given them and many have used the Roadside Plan which helps my employees show up on time at my
client’s homes. My office staff giggles when they find the incredible deals on the weekly emails you send.
What a great employee benefit at a reasonable cost to me, the owner. Keep up the good work!
John Posey
Raleigh, NC”

NCH: How does the roadside assistance work?

WB: Roadside Assistance covers virtually every state with over 53,000
dispatch locations. The tow truck network is managed by Nation Safe
Drivers, which has been in business since 1962, and services over 5 million
customers. Once you register your hCard® in your back office, it takes 72
hours to post in the customer service system. Upon registering, you can
print the information, including phone number, producer code and agent
code. Simply call the customer service number and they will dispatch help
and provide an ETA while you are on the phone. The average response
time is 36 minutes, which is the best in the industry. The program covers
towing, lock-outs, jump starts, fluid delivery, tire changes etc.

NCH: What is the deal with show-and-save?

WB: The card is simple to use and only need to be presented at participat-
ing merchants to receive a discount or special offer.

NCH: About how many businesses in North Carolina accept the hCard®?
WB: There are literally hundreds of business that accept the hCard® in
North Carolina. Raleigh alone has over 300 participating merchants.

NCH: Is the number of businesses that are participating in the hCard®

growing?
WB: We are continually adding new national merchants, as well as local
merchants in areas where we have clients.

There are, indeed, many great affects of the hCard®, both for the card
holder and for the wide range of organizations and people that will benefit
from it—most of all being the students, who will be getting a chance to
fulfill their dream through higher education programs.

Visit www.NCHEF.schoolheart.com to purchase an hCard for yourself, a friend, for your employees, or for family stocking
stuffers this holiday season.

www.NCRLA.biz 9
 NCRL A Community News One Community. One Vision. One Voice.

Graham Soda Shop and Grill was featured in Our State magazine. The shop, which
plays hosts to bands on Saturday nights, was refurbished two years ago and was said
to be looking brand new. The shop offers a varied menu, including a quite large Coach
Roshelli banana split.

Lynwood Grill in North Raleigh has refurbished their entertainment by adding

several new High Definition TVs just in time for football season. They will also be
offering a fall football menu, featuring Nathan’s Hot Dogs.

Garland Truffles would like our members to know about the Truffle Fest in Ashville
during the first quarter of 2010. Visit northamericantrufflefest.com for more
information on the annual event or to find out how you can attend.

The Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, N.C has been named the first LEED® Platinum
hotel in the United States, making it “The Greenest Hotel in America.” In addition to
being eco-friendly, this AAA Four Diamond hotel also offers 32” flat panel televisions,
AVEDA bath products, art and furniture supplied by local suppliers and complimentary
WIFI.

A social game aims to help local restaurants! Foursquare, a social-media application

that is part game and part promotion, lets users rate local restaurant menus, earn
“badges” from those venues, and become “mayors” of the places they frequent.
Businesses can then give these players free drinks and perks at their establishments in
hopes of attracting more business.

Hi5 won two 2009 MetroBravo! Awards presented by Metro Magazine. Hi5 received
a MetroBravo Award in the category of best sports bar and received an honorable
mention in the category of best dance club. The MetroBravo! Awards are voted on by
readers of Metro Magazine and are based on customer service, popularity and overall
experience.

Just in time for the holidays, Chef Harvey Yancey is reopening his full service
restaurant November 2009 as Yancy’s at Farmington at the brand new Farmington
Square Shopping Center in southeast Raleigh. The New Orleans style cuisine will
include live music and entertainers, a bar, and VIP accommodations. “I am thrilled at
the thought of being back in the kitchen and cooking for all of my friends in Southeast
Raleigh” - Chef Yancey. Visit www.theyancys.net for Grand Opening details.

Maggiano’s is doing their part to ease the burden during these tough economic times
with their latest promotion. The Italian chain is offering two meals for the price of one.
Dine-in today and take home an additional meal for tomorrow, all for the price of one
dish ($12.95). The menu is limited on this special but some of their best offerings like
the Chicken Pesto Linguine, Baked Ziti with Sausage and the Lasagna are included.

10 www.NCRLA.biz
North Carolina Cuisine...Simply Delicious
Experience the flavors of North Carolina with us!
Support your local restaurants...Dine out often

Sysco Raleigh Sysco Charlotte

www.syscoraleigh.com www.syscocharlotte.com

www.NCRLA.biz 11