James November-December 2024 web - Flipbook - Page 44
fabulous job positioning GRA where
it is today. So this year has been a
transition year for me to listen, watch
and learn. It’s also been a year of
establishing relationships.”
“As we move forward, we want
to identify what else we can bring
to the table for all of our members,”
Fischer emphasized. “Our lawmakers are very educated on who we
are. And we want to make sure they
continue to hear from us when we
see legislation that might negatively
or positively impact our restaurants.”
Navigating Industry Challenges
The past few years have posed
unprecedented challenges for
Georgia’s restaurant industry. From
navigating 2020-23 pandemic-related restrictions to managing staffing
shortages and supply chain disruptions, restaurants have been in survival mode. Yet the GRA is praised in
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many quarters for being a beacon of
support throughout this tumultuous
period, offering resources, guidance
and a unified voice to advocate for
governmental relief measures and
operational flexibility.
“We are beginning to see the
recovery from the pandemic,” said
Fischer. Yet even as the industry continues this recovery, the GRA remains
focused on addressing ongoing issues
such as labor shortages, rising food
costs and evolving consumer preferences. By maintaining open lines of
communication between restaurateurs and policymakers, the association continues to champion policies
that will sustain the long-term growth
and health of the industry.
When COVID-19 first struck, the
GRA quickly pivoted to provide timely information and support for its
members, launching initiatives like
the “Georgia Restaurant Employee
NOVEM B E R/D EC E M B E R 2 0 2 4
Relief Fund” which provided emergency financial assistance to workers affected by layoffs and closures.
GRA’s Economic Impact on Georgia
A big measure of the restaurant
industry’s economic impact on Georgia can be seen when one considers
there are approximately 23,000 eating and drinking establishments that
generate over $34.4 billion in total
annual sales. Additionally, the GRA
says the industry provides employment for more than 500,000 people—
making it one of the largest private
sector employers in the state.
In fact, restaurants are the
second largest industry in the state
behind agriculture.
Data shows that for every additional dollar spent in Georgia’s restaurants, $2.24 is contributed to the
state’s economy, and every $1 million
in restaurant sales supports nearly
