Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry.

FIRST QUARTER

2011

PUBLICATION INFORMATION

This is your COMPLIMENTARY COPY of the Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association’s official quarterly publication, News & Insights. KRHA works hard to keep you updat-ed on the latest news affecting the restaurant and hotel indus-tries in Kansas. This issue is packed full of ways to save your business money through membership with KRHA. As a member of KRHA you would receive four of these newslet-ters annually, along with so much more in money saving and useful benefits. Log on to www.krha.org to view a full listing of our member benefits, and find out why it’s so impor-tant to join and stay involved with KRHA.

HOW TO JOINTo become a member of the KRHA, log on to www.krha.org, and fill out the online application and use the code NI1Q or fill out the enclosed application and receive 10% OFF your first year member-ship dues. You can also call us at 800-369-6787 or email us at ksrest@krha.org.

Providing IndustryStrength Through Members Your business is an integral part of a network, a network in Kansas that is comprised of over 8,500 establishments in the hospitality industry. Furthermore, this network is projected to register $3.5 billion in annual sales and employs 127,400 workers, or 10 percent of the state’s total job base. As the leading business association for restaurants, hotels, motels, country clubs, private clubs and allied industry partners within the state, the Kansas Restaurant and Hospital-ity Association (KRHA) is at the hub of this vast network, providing numerous benefits and services. We also provide many networking opportunities to members. The quarterly News & Insights publication you are reading is one of several communication vehicles produced for KRHA members, and it is our sincere pleasure to provide this special complementarily issue to all hospitality licensees throughout the state. KRHA currently represents over 1,100 restaurants, lodging and allied industry loca-tions. Leadership of the association is through an extensive Board of Directors comprised of industry members throughout Kansas. A staff of professionals specializing in a variety of areas manages day-to-day operations. Although we provide numerous services, many upon request, key areas we are involved with include:Advocacy• KRHA carefully monitors industry legislation at the state and federal levels of government and ensures our collective voice is heard. • Support at the city and county levels is available upon request. • Our registered lobbyist directly represent the interest of our members with the Kansas Legisla-ture and National Restaurant Association lobbyists do so with Congress in Washington D.C.• Political updates with KRHA’s weekly Capitol News (during session) and NRA Washington Weekly.Education • Workforce development is accomplished through ServSafe Food Safety and Alcohol server instruction and other training programs. • Members receive discounts on all ServSafe materials• School-to-Career programs and scholarships sponsored by KRHA assist students with career opportunities in the food service and lodging industries.Competitive Rates on Workers’ Compensation and Property & Casualty • Specialized for the foodservice and lodging industries. • Member-owned workers’ compensation self-insurance fund provides competitive rates. • Full-time insurance agents, as well as claims and loss control specialists on staff. • KRHA contracts with the finest property and casualty insurance carriers available.Affordable Health Insurance• Alternatives to meet your objectives and budget including: Traditional Health Insurance Plans, and high deductible plans coupled with Health Savings Accounts.

...continued on page 11

COMPLIMENTARY ISSUE FOR NON-MEMBERS

A Publication of the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association

A Letter from the President............2A Letter from the Chairman...........3HeinSight............................................4Kansas Food Code..........................5Not Just a Punch Card....................7Restaurant Neighborhood Award.............................................................12

The Year AheadA Letter From The President & CEOby Don Sayler, KRHA President & CEO

Don Sayler, CPA, CAEPresident & CEO

2 Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry.

KRHA Staff

Don Sayler, President & CEOdsayler@krha.org

Adam Mills, Vice President Member Servicesamills@krha.org

Neeley Carlson, Vice President Education & Trainingncarlson@krha.org

Tina Cox, Vice President Risk Managementtcox@krha.org

Dave Belvin, Loss Control Managerdbelvin@krha.org

Bob Chambers, Member Services Representativebchambers@krha.org

Lisa Graham, Marketing and Communications Managerlgraham@krha.org

Jason Green, Marketing and Communications Representativejgreen@krha.org

Christine Hanaka, Account Managerchaaser@krha.org

Karen Hrdlicka, Claims Specialistkhrdlicka@krha.org

Michalle King, Account Man-ager/Bookkeeping Assistantmking@krha.org

Justin Quigley, Member Services Representative, Greater Kansas Cityjquigley@krha.org

Nevada Raitt, Controllernraitt@krha.org

Jeff Richards, Member Services Representativejrichards@krha.org

Shannon Wilkinson, Bookeeping Assistantswilkinson@krha.org

Ron & Julie Hein, Legislative Counselrhein@heinlaw.com

As we begin the New Year I want to discuss some of the issues that we believe will impact the hospitality industry. I also want to take a moment to look back at 2010, as many of the challenges we faced will continue to affect us. This last year was packed with challenges, including the economy, technology, health care reform, Kansas Supreme Court decisions concerning workers compensation, and legislative elections. With high unemployment rates and concern over additional layoffs, the public kept a close eye on expenses. With lower sales and traffic in restaurants and lodging properties , budgets were greatly impacted. Although some operators continue to experience problems, overall hiring is on an upswing and sales and traffic levels are improving. Restaurants are being bombarded with new technology such as groupon, facebook, twitter, foursquare, open table and other electronic marketing. Some restaurants have embraced this change, while others are trying to determine if it is a good fit for their business or how to effectively manage social-media efforts. We work hard to provide industry with information on the topic, including working with Fishbowl, a KRHA/NRA partner, to provide informative webinars. Operators are grappling with the mandates included in the health care reform bill, which will require businesses with more than 50 full-time employees to offer health insur-ance or pay a fee. Included in the bill is menu labeling, requiring restaurants with more than 20 locations to post nutritional data on their menus. We will keep our members informed of these new requirements as details are released. In September 2009 the Kansas Supreme Court issued a decision in a case that allows an employee to refuse an offer of accommodated work and still recover compensation based upon the average of the wage and task loss. An additional case awarded an injured person, in the United States illegally, work disability due to the wage loss even though the wage loss is 100% due to the impossibility of the employee to legally work anywhere in the United States. We are working with others to bring balance back to our Kansas Workers Compensation system. In one of the most sweeping elections in over a decade, Republicans were highly favored over the Democrats, and took the reins in many state and federal positions. Republi-cans have swept the states for U.S. House seats for the first time since 1996. Much time was spent at the state and federal level to ensure the newly elected officials had a business friendly mindset. We will continue to deal with budget shortfalls and new or increased tax proposals, many of which could target our industry. This could include liquor tax, sugared beverage tax, unemployment tax, and sales tax proposals. During the legislative session, KRHA keeps members informed of issues with the Capitol News Update. This publication is distributed electronically. This is one of the valued member benefits that we offer. It is a necessity to let your legislators know your view about important issues that impact your bottom line. Our annual Legislative Affairs Conference in Topeka on January 12th and 13th is a perfect opportunity for you to get involved, and directly express your thoughts with legislators. For more information on and to RSVP for this excit-ing event please contact us at 800-369-6787 or visit www.krha.org. With all of the challenges facing each of your businesses, there is no better time to be a KRHA member. KRHA is the only trade association in Kansas directly supporting the interests of hospitality businesses every day. Your minimal investment in membership with KRHA is more than offset through the many money saving benefits that we have to offer, as well as the time we spend to protect the interests of your business. Join NOW and receive ten percent off your first time membership dues. Go to www.KRHA.org and use the coupon code: NI1Q.

Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry.

The Many Benefits ofMembershipThe Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association is dedicated to helping members operate with greater ease, efficiency and sav-ings. Member participants save millions of dollars each year by taking full advantage of KRHA’s many member benefits.

Contact us for more information at 800-369-6787.

KRHA Self Insurance Fund• Workers’ Compensation

Hospitality Insurance Services• Property & Liability• Health Insurance Programs• Liquor Liability• Trade Name Restoration• Employment Practices Liability• And much more...

Some of our providers:

Heartland Payment Systems• Credit Card Processing

ServSafe• Food Handling and Alcohol Server Training

National Restaurant Association• Dual Membership with NRA included with KRHA membership.

BMI, ASCAP, SESAC• Discounted Music Licensing

HOSPITALITYI n s u r a n c e S e r v i c e s

Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality News & Insights is a quarterly publication for members and industry partners If you have questions or would like to become a member, please

contact KRHA at : 316.267.8383 or 800.369.6787

Don Sayler, CPA, CAEPresident & CEO

3Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry.

Scott Redler2011 KRHA Chairman

Scott Redler has been a dedicated member of KRHA for nearly 8 years, and this will be his second time serving as our Chairman of the Board.

Greetings and Happy New from all of us at Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Timberline Steakhouse! As the new year begins, I am sure most of us are analyzing our business revenues and expenses in this very volatile economic environment. I know that we do this at the end of every year as we plan for the future. I do not know of a time when we have looked closer at all the costs associated with operating our businesses, and responded accordingly. My staff and I always have an interesting discussion when we receive our KRHA membership dues statement, and remind ourselves that our membership is truly a great value due to the increasing number of benefits KRHA offers, both in long and short term dollars. On a long term basis, Don, Adam, the Hein Law Firm, and other KRHA leaders spend countless hours monitoring events in our government that can potentially have a negative impact on our businesses. I view this as one of the most important roles of the KRHA, and that alone justifies membership for me. KRHA is constantly reminding our State Senators and Representatives, especially at the Legislative Affairs Conference and “Taste of Kansas” Luncheon, of the impact that restaurants and hotels have on our economy and employment. I truly believe that this directly affects how bills in Kansas are written and whether they are passed. In 2009, our lobbyist actively made our views known on 19 issues and monitored dozens more. Another huge benefit for our members is the Education and Training component of the KRHA. This involves not only assisting with ServSafe Food Safety and Alcohol programs for existing operations, but also helping light the spark for many high school students who may choose the hospitality industry as their choice of career through the ProStart program. The insurance portion of KRHA assists in many ways to help cut costs, both in member owned Worker’s Compensa-tion program (KRHA Self Insrance Fund), and also in property/casualty and health insurance offered through KRHA’s Hospitality Insurance Services Agency. There are many other benefits listed on KRHA’s web site, and I urge you take the time to review these, and I guarantee you will find something that will benefit your operation. Good luck and I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 2011.

A Letter From Our Chairmanby Scott Redler, KRHA Chairman & COO/Vice President of Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Timberline Steakhouse

Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry.4

The tide of political opinion has swung back and forth over the centuries like a pendulum. Although the swing of the political pendulum in ancient days might have been different, in the United States during the last century, the pendulum has swung in cycles covering multiple years or even a decade. In 2008, Obama mania and a Democratic sweep of the nation occurred. Incredibly, just two years later, the political

pendulum swung back with a vengeance. Such dramatic reversals of political opinion over a two year period is unprecedented in recent political history. At the state level, the result was a Republican sweep of all five Congressional candidates up for election, a sweep of all six statewide officials up for election, and a pick up of sixteen Republican seats in a Legislature already heavily dominated by Republicans. In the 2010 Legislative Session, the Republicans controlled the House of Representatives at the State Legislature by 77/49 margin. With the pickup of seats, in 2011, the Republi-cans will control the House 92-33. The Senate, which was not up for re-election in 2010, holds their majority with a 31-9 margin. Although the Republicans won the election, now comes the hard part. With control of the Governor’s seat, and overwhelming control of the House and Senate, the Republicans will have no scapegoat in the event of failures within the admin-istration or the Legislature. If such failures occur, then it is likely the Republicans will lose seats during the 2012 election. On the other hand, if the Republicans achieve some significant victories or at least move the ball forward in the opinions of the Kansas citizenry, then they might pick up additional seats in 2012 as well. The Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association deals with issues which, as a general rule, are not partisan, and the industry has had support from members of both political parties in the Legislative process. Although some of the association’s recent battles have been with the bureaucrats within the recent admin-istration, the KRHA will work closely with the new Republican leadership of the Executive Branch and the two legislative bodies, as well as working with the minority party to protect our industry from over-regulation and excessive taxation.

by Ron Hein, KRHA Legislative Counsel with Hein Law Firm, Chartered

KRHA and the New Revolution

The KRHA benefits when all association members meet and become acquainted with governmental officials at all levels. Members are better able to communicate their own or industry views to elected officials when there is already a relationship with that official. Although it is now too late to volunteer to help out on the campaign, it is not too late for association members to meet the officials that represent them, and to inform them of the governmental policies which can adversely affect our industry.

And meanwhile, the pendulum of political opinion will continue to swing. The question will be, what direction will it go over the next two years, how quickly will it move, and how far will it go?

“...it is not too late for association members to meet the officials that represent them, and to inform them of the governmental policies which can adversely affect our industry.”

Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry.Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry. 5

The purpose of the Kansas Food Code is to safeguard public health and to provide food that is safe to consumers. The code also establishes definitions, sets standards for management, personnel, food operations, equipment, & facilities. Most operators are familiar with food code requirements, but for some a refresher of responsibilities can be helpful.

In Kansas, there must be a person in charge, present at the food establishment during all hours of operation. “Person in charge” means, at the time of inspection, any individual or employee present in a food establishment who is responsible for the operation. If no designated individual or employee is present, then any employee present is the person in charge. The code requires the “person in charge” to be able to demonstrate knowledge, which can be done by responding correctly to the inspector’s questions, compliance during an inspection, or by obtaining a manager level food safety certifi-cation such as ServSafe. Many operators and individuals who are recognized as the “person in charge” are not familiar with the code. This lack of knowledge prevents them from following requirements and properly educating their staff.

The Kansas Food Codeby Neeley Carlson, Vice President of Education & Training

This individual must understand the relationship between the prevention of foodborne disease and the personal hygiene of an employee. One FDA report stated, “Hands are a common vehicle for the transfer of harmful bacteria and viruses to food products. Effective handwashing is one of the most important measures to minimize the contamination of food by employees. Reinforcing the importance of handwashing should be supported by a management system that includes proper employee training and monitoring of the frequency and effectiveness of handwash-ing practices.” The “person in charge” must also be able to describe the symptoms associated with diseases that are transmissible through food and explain how employees comply with reporting responsi-bilities and exclusion or restriction of food employees to prevent the spread of illness. Food workers are required to report to the “person in charge” any illness diagnosed by a health practitioner due to Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Shigella, E-Coli or Salmonella. Once notified of the illness the “person in charge” is also respon-sible for notifying the Kansas Department of Agriculture. These are just two examples of what the “person in charge” is responsible for. An expanded version of this article is posted on the members only section of the KRHA website. If you have specific food code questions, feel free to contact the KRHA office. Providing information to members to help them run their operations is one of our many member benefits.

HPS

Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry.Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry. 7

HPS

Consumers are visiting quick serves less frequently these days, and restaurants are desperate to secure some customer loyalty to help offset traffic declines. But too many chains use buy-nine-get-the-10th-free punch cards to try to win customers’ loyalty—and they’ve got it all wrong. Punch cards and similar transaction-based promotions may seem simple and convenient, but using them not only causes quick serves to miss out on valuable opportunities, but also works against their efforts to foster profitable, brand-building customer loyalty. That’s because these tactics are generic, one-dimension-al, and self-interested.

Generic Loyalty Tactics Don’t Build Brands The default loyalty tactic is the punch card. According to the “Consumer Loyalty Study” conducted by First Data Com-petitive Intelligence last April, 50 percent of consumers who were members of fast food rewards programs indicated the program used punch cards. The stacks of punch cards that accumulate in people’s wallets only serve to make the stores they came from seem generic and interchangeable. It’s no surprise, then, that these tactics don’t work. That First Data study also found that only 4 percent of fast food re-wards program members indicated their membership was very influential in their choice of which restaurant to visit. A loyalty program should give people compelling rea-sons to choose your restaurant by positioning and differentiating your brand. It should be a vehicle through which a brand commu-nicates its uniqueness and delivers differentiating benefits. The Little Black Book program from apparel retailer White House | Black Market, for example, is designed to resemble a socialite’s little black book. It makes members feel like they’re part of an inner circle by offering exclusive invitations and special offers. Instead of thoughtlessly copying competitors and de-faulting to category conventions, a loyalty program should be considered a brand touchpoint that creates just as much of an im-pact as advertising or customer service—and should be designed accordingly.

Loyalty Programs Should Involve More Than Discounts Punch cards and other transaction-based discounting programs are really nothing more than one-off tactics with limited long-term value. Because so many quick serves offer these types of discounts, consumers no longer place much value on them. The rising tide of consumer expectations necessitates that companies develop more innovative programs. In fact, some customers have become trained by chains with so-called loyalty programs to have a sense of entitlement to rewards. And because these kinds of programs are usually con-ceived as promotions separate and distinct from other aspects of

the customer experience, they can detract from and devalue the experience by focusing on price and free food. If planned and executed appropriately, though, loyalty programs can facilitate relationships that are valued by custom-ers and companies alike. The key is to utilize them to get to know customers personally and to engage in dialogues with them. For larger chains, this might involve setting up a technology infrastructure to profile and segment customers and then provide targeted offerings. For smaller ones, it can be as simple as collecting customer contact information so they can be reached through e-mail or social media. “We have a more empowered and educated consumer, and we have the mechanism to listen to and engage in real time the voice of that customer,” says Ernan Roman, founder and principal of Ernan Roman Direct Marketing, a customer-rela-tionship marketing consultancy. “Let’s turn the thinking around and recognize that at the beginning of a strategy, the first step is to get the voice, or the wisdom, of the customer in a disciplined way and use that to drive the rules of engagement.”True loyalty is usually reciprocated. Customers express their loyalty not only through continued patronage, but also through referrals and advocacy. By actively seeking out customer input and feedback, chains can learn which rewards and benefits are most valued. Instead of offering discounts that have become table stakes, quick serves might discover they would achieve better results by offering different levels of service, exclusive offers and experi-ences, or early access to upcoming new products or promotions.

Fast Feeders Should Be More Loyal to Customers Quick serves have a real opportunity to stand out by turning the concept of loyalty on its head. Instead of focusing on how to increase customer loyalty, companies should identify ways to be more loyal to their customers. They should offer real benefits and appreciation for their customers’ loyalty. Going out of the way to serve people, holding the line on prices, and taking the time to thank custom-ers personally are just a few ideas for doing so. David Murphy, copresident and director of brand in-novation at the advertising agency Barrie D’Rozario Murphy, encourages companies to “get close to your best customers. Offer them real economic and emotional benefits. They are most likely to buy and most likely to talk up the brand.” Indeed, true loyalty is usually reciprocated. Customers express their loyalty not only through continued patronage, but also through referrals and advocacy. By rethinking your stance on loyalty, you can turn your loyal customers into brand ambas-sadors. Loyalty programs can produce more than incremental visits. Programs that facilitate a mutually beneficial relation-ship between customer and company will give you a sustainable competitive advantage.

Not Just a Punch Cardby Denise Lee Yohn, QSR Magazine

8

Hospitality Insurance Services (HIS) is a premier agency, working exclusively for the hospitality industry. They work with a variety of carriers to provide a wide range of coverage for all aspects of your business, including: proper-ty and liability, employment practice liability, liquor liability, food borne illness/trade name restoration, and much more. HIS also partners with KRHA’s Self Insurance Fund, who provides the best in workers compensation insurance to KRHA members. HIS is based in Kansas and was born out of Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association, but it has grown to provide insurance for the hospitality industry all across the country. They are one of the only insurance providers catering their services to restaurants, hotels/motels, and other hospitality businesses’ needs. Their extensive experience working exclusively for the hospitality industry makes them the most knowledgeable provider for your insurance needs. HIS will work with you to obtain the coverage you need at the lowest possible premium. Please call us today at (800) 279-5742 or visit us online at www.hospitalityins.org for your free, no obligation quote and experience the Hospitality difference.

Let Us Give You a Free Quote!

Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry.

Our Sincere “Thanks” to the KRHA Annual

Corporate SponsorsWould you like to sponsor us? Contact Lisa Graham

at lgraham@krha.org to learn about the many benefits that come with being a corporate sponsor!

Dr. Pepper Snapple GroupHospitality Management Systems / Micros

Remote Video of Kansas CityReynolds American

Contributing

Platinum

Silver

HOSPITALITYI n s u r a n c e S e r v i c e s

Serving the members of Kansas for 80 years.Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry.

Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry.

Welcome New Members!11Your Voice for the Hospitality Industry.

Advance Catastrophe Technologies 1620 S Broadmoor Wichita

Arrest-A-Pest, Pest Solutions 3031 West Pawnee #100 Wichita

Intrust Bank Arena 500 E Waterman Wichita

Jake’s Place Bar and Grill 12001 Johnson Drive Shawnee

Kansan Grill 705 S Kansas Ave Topeka

Le Peep Restaurant 5400 W. 95th Street Prairie Village

LK Communications 5212 NE Holiday Dr Lees Summit, MO

McDonald’s 1123 W Hwy 54 Kingman

McDonald’s 7311 W. 21st Street Wichita

NoRTH 4579 W 119th St Leawood

Profit Management Solutions PO Box 25569 Kansas City

Tallgrass Brewing Company 8845 Quail Lane Manhattan

The Cafe’ Roux 11554 Ash St Leawood

Wamego Inn & Suites 1300 Lilac Lane Wamego

Weller’s Grill & Bar 220 NW Independence Ave Topeka

Wilder’s on Main 2609 N Main Hutchinson

Calender of EventsVisit www.krha.org and click on the Calendar/Events tab for a

full listing of our annual events.

January 12th & 13th

Legislative Affairs Conference and “Taste of Kansas” LuncheonDowntown Topeka Ramada Inn

March 1st & 2nd

Kansas ProStart Student InvitationalHilton Wichita Airport

March 31st

KRHA & Insurance Board Meetings

April 12th & 13th

NRA Public Affairs ConferenceWashington D.C.

April 28th - 30th

National ProStart Student InvitationalOverland Park Convention Center

...continued from page 1

• Have your small business rated like a large group by being pooled with all KRHA members. 100% guaranteed acceptance with no pre-existing conditions, and affordable age banded rates.Communication• Quarterly newsletters, like the one you are reading, are supple-mented with bi-weekly updates and association news via email and fax. We continue to improve the website to provide valuable and timely information, including a member’s only section. All members are featured in an annual directory and buyer’s guide. Contact Lisa Graham, Marketing & Communications Manager, to learn more about specific communication pieces and how they might assist in your decision-making process. There are a host of benefits specifically designed for our members. However, perhaps the most important member benefit is the collective voice of industry professionals KRHA brings to the marketplace. Together our collective voice is heard. KRHA is your voice for the hospitality industry. We hope you enjoy this complementary issue of News & Insights and will want to become a member. If you would like more information, please pick up the phone and call us at either (316) 267-8383 or (800) 369-6787 or visit us at www.krha.org.

Providing IndustryStrength Through Members

Kansas Restaurant &Hospitality Association3500 North Rock Rd.Building 1300Wichita, KS 67226

Official Publication of the:

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWichita, KSPermit #662

JOIN US ON FOLLOW US ON@KSRestaurant

Is your restaurant one of the 90% of restaurants doing charitable work in their community? Maybe your restaurant hosts an annual fundraiser to benefit disabled children. Or perhaps you coordinate a toy drive to make a needy child’s Christmas special or mentor young people in your restaurant. Tell us how your restaurant gives back and you could be eligible to win $5,000! Each year, the National Restaurant Association and Amer-ican Express awards $5,000 each to four restaurants – one small business, one mid-size business, one large business/national chain and one Humanitarian of the year – through its Restaurant Neighbor Award, an awards program that recognizes outstanding community service efforts among our nation’s restaurants. American Express is the award’s founding partner. Participating state restaurant associations choose winners from their state to compete for the national award. Once chosen by the state association, all state winners receive a plaque to display in their restaurant and are profiled on the National Restaurant Association website dedicated to community service case studies. In addition to the grand prize of $5,000 to help their favorite charity or community project, national winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC where they will receive the award gala awards dinner at the National Restaurant Associa-tion Public Affairs Conference in March 2011. To apply for the award or to nominate a restaurateur who is actively involved in his or her community go to www.restaurant.org/community. For more information, please contact Alyssa Prince at aprince@restaurant.org or 202-973-3679. The deadline to apply for the award is January 11, 2011.

Five Tips for Submitting a Great Application

A panel of judges will review your application for consideration for the Restaurant Neighbor Award and the $5,000 award. How can you get your application to stand out among the hundreds submitted? Follow these tips below:

1. Tell a story. Use personal stories or connections about the work with the community and the people helped. Tell us what motivated you and your team to get involved in the project. (e.g., a sick child in your community, an employee’s personal commitment, etc.) or tell about a problem your restaurant is helping to address.2. Provide tangible results. Give specifics about how much money was raised or how many volunteer hours were spent working on your project. Explain how the money raised (directly or indirectly) is helping others and how the project has grown over the years. 3. Focus on one project. Concentrate your application on one specific community outreach project, rather than providing a “laundry list” of your philanthropy over the years. 4. Include news stories and letters of support. Newspaper articles and letters of support from the people you have helped can be an effective tool for telling your story.5. Less is more. Include only materials that are relevant to the application and to your community-outreach project.

Advertise with us! With quarterly newslet-ters being distributed to approximately 950 KRHA members, and two issues reaching over 8500 restaurants and hotels across the entire state, you are sure to have a great return on your investment. Contact Lisa Graham at lgraham@krha.org for our advertising rates. Space is limited, so don’t delay!

Restaurant Neighborhood Award

DeadlineJanuary 17,

2011