We want to alert you about recent outreach from an organization called “Restaurant Association” or RestaurantAssociation.com. Several members have asked if it’s connected to the National Restaurant Association or us. It is not. This group is not affiliated with the California or National Restaurant Association. Thanks to those who already flagged it.
California
Culver City’s In-N-Out fight isn’t about burgers; it’s about the future of California streets
"A proposed drive-thru ban in Culver City has opened a wider debate about traffic, accessibility, and the changing identity of American cities."
California’s $20 wage disaster pushes over a dozen Fresno fast-food hotspots to vaporize
"California’s controversial $20-an-hour fast-food minimum wage is taking another bite out of the restaurant industry, with at least 16 fast-food locations across the Fresno area shutting their doors since the start of 2025."
$30 minimum wage headed to November election ballot, coalition says
The Living Wage For All Coalition announced that it has collected enough signatures to place its minimum-wage measure on the November ballot, submitting 106% of the required total. The proposal would increase Alameda County's minimum wage to $30 per hour.
'It's way too much' - World Cup fans react to American tipping culture
"Tipping at restaurants has a long history in the United States. How do the Fifa World Cup fans visiting the country feel about it? The BBC spoke to tourists visiting California from around the world about their experience."
Designed for California restaurant operators, Policy Lens translates complex insurance requirements into plain English so you can better understand your obligations before they become problems.
FOOD 4 THOUGHT... A MESSAGE FROM CRA The importance of human interaction in the restaurant industry
The San Francisco Chronicle recently reported on a 2024 study by OpenAI and the University of Pennsylvania that analyzed 923 occupations and their “exposure” to AI. They assessed jobs based on their alignment with large language models (“LLM”) capabilities, integrating both human expertise and GPT-4 classifications. Their findings revealed that around 80% of the U.S. workforce could have at least 10% of their work tasks affected by the introduction of LLMs, while approximately 19% of workers may see at least 50% of their tasks impacted.
They assigned exposure scores to each occupation. For example, they gave landscaping a score of 0.02, meaning 2% of a landscaper’s tasks could be done or aided by AI. Not surprisingly, occupations such as bricklayers, roofers, butchers, pipefitters, and motorcycle mechanics were assigned a score of 0.00. At the other end of the spectrum, survey researchers, translators, and authors all have exposure risks above 80%.
In the middle of the pack are occupations like software developers (0.45), epidemiologists (0.56), aerospace engineers (0.52), Lawyers (0.47), school psychologists (0.58), and mechanical drafters (0.47). So, where does the restaurant industry occupation fall on the spectrum?
We combed through the 923 occupations to find where our team members fall. Here they are:
(0.00) Dishwashers
(0.00) Dining room & cafeteria attendant and bar helpers
(0.00) Short order cooks
(0.03) Fast food cooks
(0.05) Food prep
(0.12) Cooks
(0.14) Bartenders
(0.17) Bakers
(0.22) waiter/waitress
(0.26) Food rep line supervisors
(0.26) Chefs, head cooks
(0.40) Food service managers
The restaurant industry is built on the (mostly) irreplaceable value of human touch, tactile mastery, and localized creativity. The sensory complexity, emotional intelligence, and immediate physical execution required in a restaurant represent the true essence of the human craft. A machine can analyze a recipe, but it can never orchestrate the choreography in every restaurant kitchen and dining room or foster the profound human connection that happens across a table in a restaurant.
Help keep your business running smoothly and sustainably. Take advantage of energy-efficient natural gas equipment rebates from SoCalGas, including up to $3,000 on qualifying ovens and a variety of foodservice equipment.
ICYMI: NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW CA Moves Closer to Ending CIPA Shakedown Lawsuits
Your response to the CRA's Action Alert made an impact. Thanks to strong industry advocacy and your support, SB 690 has passed a major legislative milestone. In this episode of CRA News You Need to Know, Courtney explains the significance of the Assembly committee vote, how SB 690 curbs abusive CIPA lawsuits over standard website practices, and why continued engagement matters.
LEGAL PARTNER CONTENT TikTok Terminations: Conducting a discharge that can withstand a recording in 2026
Employees are increasingly sharing their terminations on social media. In one viral example, a remote sales employee recorded her layoff conversation with two unfamiliar HR reps and posted it online, drawing millions of views. These videos are valuable to watch, not to judge, but to see how remote, recorded terminations create new risks for California employers. Here are five takeaways for conducting a termination in 2026. You should assume the conversation may end up on someone’s phone.
Looking for a way to get more involved with local restaurant leaders? Consider joining the Los Angeles chapter of the CRA Board of Directors. Please contact Kathie Griley at kgriley@calrest.org if you would like more information.
Looking to get more exposure in this area of the state? Consider sponsoring an upcoming event. Sponsorships start at $250! Please contact Kathie Griley at kgriley@calrest.org for more information.
Join the Los Angeles Chapter on Social Media
If you’re a restaurateur in one of these regions, follow us and drop a like!
Orange County Chapter
Looking for a way to get more involved with local restaurant leaders? Consider joining the Orange County chapter of the CRA Board of Directors. Please contact Kathie Griley at kgriley@calrest.org if you would like more information.
Looking to get more exposure in this area of the state? Consider sponsoring an upcoming event. Sponsorships start at $250! Please contact Kathie Griley at kgriley@calrest.org for more information.
Join the Orange County Chapter on Social Media
If you’re a restaurateur in one of these regions, follow us and drop a like!
Sacramento Chapter
Looking for a way to get more involved with local restaurant leaders? Consider joining the Sacramento chapter of the CRA Board of Directors. Please contact Kathie Griley at kgriley@calrest.org if you would like more information.
Join the Sacramento Chapter on Social Media
If you’re a restaurateur in one of these regions, follow us and drop a like!
While all information released by the California Restaurant Association (CRA) is intended to provide accurate information on the subject covered, the CRA does not provide legal advice and any information provided by the CRA shall not constitute legal advice. You are encouraged to consult your attorney, accountant, or other appropriate professional, as needed.
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