Events

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2024 • 10:00 AM EST • IN-PERSON SPEAKER SERIES WITH WILL GUIDARA

MRU is excited to bring Will Guidara to Boston and you’re invited!

The next event in our Speaker Series is “Breaking Boundaries in Hospitality,” on June 10th, 2024.

Mark your calendars and join us as we dive deep into the boundaries that continue to have a choke-hold on our industry.

Our special key note speaker is renowned restauranteur and acclaimed author of “Unreasonable Hospitality,” Will Guidara.

Tickets are $85 per person and are live through the link below. Tickets include event participation, lunch and a one-year membership to MRU expiring on June 10, 2025.

Thank you to our event host venue, The Huntington Theatre.

And thank you to our sponsors:

• Horizon Beverage

• Chef’s Warehouse

• Resy

• American Express

• Twelve Points Wealth Management

• Risman Insurance

• Saratoga Spring Water

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024 • 10:00 AM EST • INDUSTRY INSIDER WEBINAR SERIES

Anne Ladov Eisemann has been assisting restaurant and hospitality clients for many years on a wide variety of employee-related matters and issues. Annie has a background in employment law and advises restaurant clients regarding day-to-day employment issues, including discipline and termination, employee personnel policies, wage and hour compliance and FMLA/PFML and disability management.

Annie also has extensive experience training managers on topics such as harassment prevention and best management practices. Although Annie never fulfilled her childhood dream of opening a restaurant, she loves working closely with hospitality operators.

This information was gathered and distributed by:

Hopdov is a human resources company specializing in the restaurant industry.

Below please find an important overview of the "80/20" rule, a federal law applicable to restaurants. We encourage all restaurant operators to review the details of this rule. The Hopdov team is here to assist if you have questions or need help with compliance.   

What is the 80/20 rule?

The 80/20 rule states that an employer loses the tip credit if a tipped employee spends more than 30 continuous minutes or more than 20% of their weekly hours performing work that is not tip-producing work or work that directly supports tip-producing work. 

Employers with tipped employees who utilize a tip credit are those who pay tipped employees a wage below the minimum wage. Employers using the tipped minimum wage rely on tips received to meet or exceed minimum wage obligations. The 30 continuous minutes and 20% limitation both apply to those hours for which the tip credit is taken.  Hours paid at minimum wage (or higher) are excluded when making the 20% determination.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • 10:00 AM EST • INDUSTRY INSIDER WEBINAR SERIES

Our next webinar is presented by Horizon Beverage and hosted by Patrick Gaggiano. Patrick has over 15 years in the bar and cocktail industry spanning across New England. From the side of bartender (awarded best bartender in Boston by Boston Magazine), to supplier and now at Horizon Beverage, Patrick continues to have a hand in both spirit education, brand growth, and cocktail development across Massachusetts. He works directly with accounts looking to seasonally change their cocktail offerings, open new bar programs, interact and educate consumers and industry professionals alike, and stay at the forefront of where the spirits industry is heading.

The webinar will include:

• Basic guidelines for creating a beverage program.

• Inventory and ordering.

• Formulas for costing cocktails, wines by the glass, beer and non-alcoholic options.

• Ways to reduce labor by batching cocktails, kegged cocktails, barrel-aged cocktails.

• Non-alcoholic options to drive revenue.

• Seasonal cocktail recipes for this coming Fall - MRU members will have the ability to plug and play brands.

• CHEATS - When to use less expensive alternatives.

• TRENDS - What is hot now and predictions for the future.

TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023 • 4:00-7:00 PM EST • SHORE LEAVE

MRU Speaker Series
Celebrate Pride Month

Join us on Tuesday, June 27th, for our next in-person “Speaker Series” event celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community within our industry. We will begin the event with an hour of networking before we engage a very special guest panel in discussion followed by Q + A…..

EVENT DETAILS

TUESDAY, JUNE 27 | 4:00 - 7:00 PM

Hosted By: Shore Leave

11 William E Mullins Way, Boston, MA 02118

Ticket Price - $45 per person - Includes Welcome Cocktail and Light Fare

Sponsored By:

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2023 • 6:00-8:00PM EST • Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen

MRU Speaker Series
Female Industry Entrepreneur

We are excited to announce the Massachusetts Restaurants United "Speaker Series" starting this month on March 28th. The first of our in-person events will focus on Female Industry Entrepreneurs and feature four extraordinary women who have dedicated themselves to our industry…

Join us for an intimate conversation with the panelists, stay for Questions + Answers and then network with everyone in attendance.

EVENT DETAILS

March 28, 2023 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Hosted By: Darryl’s Corner Bar + Kitchen
604 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02118

Ticket Price $35 per person - light fare included

SPONSORED BY

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022 • 10:00AM EST • ZOOM

Crowdfunding & MGCC Matching grants

This “HOW TO” Sobremesa will explain how easy it is to elevate your small business using crowdfunding and MGCC matching grants to finance your capital expense needs. Learn how you can receive up to $20,000 in matching grants.

• Matching grants available between $2,500 - $20,000

• Approved use of funds for acquisition, expansion, improvement or lease of a facility, purchase or lease of equipment, or with meeting other capital needs for the business.

Eligible applicants will be empowered to advance their business with an innovative approach to obtaining capital. Through crowdfunding campaigns on Patronicity, these businesses connect with their local residents and stakeholders to advance projects that support economic success and transformation for their businesses and in their communities.

Other MGCC Programs for Small Businesses that will be covered:

Empower Digital

About: Empowerment Digital is a program focused on assisting MA-based businesses develop their digital capabilities. The program provides advisory support and funds to hire digital service providers or to purchase relevant equipment, hardware, or software

Grant Amount: Businesses can receive up to $5,000

Total Funding Available: $3,800,000 was appropriated through the Commonwealth’s Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) toward this program.

Business Eligibility:

• Has been nominated by a Technical Assistance Provider through MGCC’s Small Business Technical Assistance Program.

• Is based and operating within Massachusetts

• Is employing 1-20 FTE employees

• Is the business owner’s primary source of income

• Has an annual revenue not exceeding $2,500,000

• Has been in business for a minimum of one year at the time of application

For full details regarding eligibility requirements and use of funds, please visit MGCC’s website at EmpoweringSmallBusiness.org

Through funds appropriated by the Commonwealth’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, MGCC is administering two grant programs to continue to support small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Applicant Grant Program, and the Inclusive Grant Program.

New Applicant Grant Program

• About: This program was created to provide $25,000,000 available to support small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19 that have not previously received financial relief from MGCC’s COVID-19 Relief Grant Programs.

Inclusive Grant Program

• About: The Inclusive Grant Program has $50,000,000 available to businesses that focus on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups, underserved markets, and those owned by minorities, women, veterans, disabled individuals, or those that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Details for BOTH Programs

Timeline:

• Application Opens - February 23, 2022 at 12:00 pm.

• Application Closes - April 4, 2022 at 11:59 pm.

Grant Amounts: $10,000 - $75,000

• Grants will be capped at the lesser of $75,000 which shall be equivalent to 3 months of annualized operating expenses, as evidenced by 2020 Federal Tax Returns.

Use of Funds:

• Employee payroll and benefit costs

• Interest on other debt obligations incurred after March 3, 2021

• Business mortgage or rent and utilities

• Cost to private company due to COVID-19 pandemic

Business Eligibility:

• Massachusetts-based business owned by individuals

• Has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

• Currently has 2-50 FTE employees

• Is a for-profit entity established prior to 9/30/20 and currently in operation

• In good standing with federal, state, and city/town

• 2020 revenues between $40,000 - $2,500,000 and a minimum of $40,000 in operating expenses.

• Visit MGCC’s website for the full list of eligibility requirements and approved use of funds for each program at EmpoweringSmallBusiness.org

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2021 • 10:00AM EST

Mental Health in Our Industry

Join us Tuesday, October 19 as we focus on the state of mental health in our industry. Seth Gerber, General Manager and Partner at MIDA, will lead the a discussion focused on…

• Broadening our understanding of wellness to include social, financial, AND physical / mental health.

• Scope of the current crisis in the restaurant industry.

• How a lack of prosperity in our industry should be viewed as a national American emergency.

• The benefits of investing in our employees.

• Ideation on how restaurants, as a decentralized industry, can successfully overcome our economic hurdles to provide more robust benefits.

About Seth Gerber

Seth has always been passionate about the mental health of all those who are employed in the hospitality industry. His major focus was to combine and compare the creative spark of world class restaurants with the sophisticated business acumen of top tier corporate firms. To shape these skills, he ventured to Boston University, where he graduated with honors form the School of Hospitality, minoring in the School of Management. While attending BU, Seth earned the coveted Knopf Scholarship which provided the opportunity to travel throughout the US and Europe visiting world class wineries. After graduation, he set aside find dining to enter the management in training program for Hillstone Restaurant Group. With Hillstone, he traveled throughout the southwest before taking help of culinary operations at their flagship boutique concept in Sanata Monica, CA. In 2014 Seth was called back to Boston to help launch Cafe ArtScience with inventor and Harvard Professor David Edwards. It was two years later that Seth transitioned to open MIDA as General Manager and Partner where he has driven the financial performance of the company and helped build a brains known for it’s exceptional hospitality. MIDA has been recognized as one of the the best new restaurants in the city and is expanding it’s footprint with a new location in Newton, MA as well as a quick service pizza concept at TD Garden.

In addition to his responsibilities at MIDA, Seth has consulted for restaurants throughout Boston. He has earned an MBA from Boston University (2021) and holds his certification as a sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers as well as a green belt in Lean Six Sigma.

THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021 • 10:00AM EST • ZOOM

LIVE STATE MEETING
Perception vs. Reality of Our Industry

Join us Thursday, July 29 as we come together to offer our first state meeting open to the public and our membership. Get up to speed on the state of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF); learn how you can take action to encourage lawmakers to provide additional RRF funding; hear from operators across the Commonwealth about the reality of the situation we find ourselves in; and share your thoughts and ideas with a group of industry professionals all facing a similar set of challenges as we open the meeting up for public comment.

SPEAKERS INCLUDE

Andrew Zimmern
chef, writer, tv host
Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) founding member

Jody Adams
Trade, Porto, Saloniki
MRU Co-chair & founding member

Nancy Caswell
Oak + Rowan & Brine
MRU Executive Director

Nancy Cushman
o ya, Hojoko, Bianca
MRU Advisor

Nookie Postal
Commonwealth & Revival Cafe
MRU Member

Angela Raynor
Pearl & Boarding House
MRU Advisor

Michael Leviton
MRU Co-chair & founding member

Bessie King
Villa Mexico
MRU Board Member

Paul Schiavone
BostonChefs.com
MRU Advisor

TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2021 • 10:00AM EST

HR Issues Prior to 100% Capacity

SPEAKERS

Jill Santopietro Panall, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Jill is an HR consultant with 23 years experience specializing in small businesses, non-profits and startups with employee headcounts from 2 - 200 employees. After spending 17 years in Corporate American at Fortune 500 companies, Jill founded 21Oak HR Consulting to support those companies that didn’t have the luxury of a full HR department and didn’t want to add unnecessary risk to their organizations. In the past six years, Jill has supported a variety of restaurant clients, including upscale fine dining, casual dining, fast casual establishments, cafes, coffee shops, wine bars, and private club and resort based dining. Any time she thinks she’s seen it all, there’s always something new

Frank Levesque, MSM, SPHR

Frank, from CLA in Boston, brings over 25 years of HR business partner leadership and consulting experience across a wide variety of industries and organizations from small family-owned businesses to large global corporations. He particularly specializes in area of talent management, development, engagement and retention, compensation and benefits, HR practices/systems assessments, risk management, organizational design development, policy/handbook design and development, compliance, HRIS selection, training, and coaching. He is also certified in coaching and training for Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and DiSC (behavioral assessments).

MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 • 2:00PM EST

Vaccines and Covid Exposure

SPEAKER: Matthew D. Freeman

Matthew is a principal in the Boston, Massachusetts office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He routinely advises clients regarding compliance with state and federal labor and employment laws, including those related to employee discipline and discharge, disability management and leave of absence issues, wage and hour issues, and reductions in force. Matt represents a variety of businesses with a concentration in the hospitality and healthcare industries.

MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2021

Talking PPP Phase 2

SPEAKER: Chris Macksey

Chris is the Operations Manager and Small Business Advisor at Prix Fixe Accounting. Prior to beginning his career with Prix Fixe Accounting, Chris spent most of his life in the hospitality industry, working his way up the ranks in restaurants focusing on local sourcing and sustainability. After years of working in restaurants, he realized that the industry was in the stone-age compared to others, and there was an opportunity to better serve the places he loved by doing more than working on the line. Chris is passionate about helping restaurants thrive by delivering insightful guidance and financial clarity, freeing chefs and restaurants to focus on what they’re most passionate about: cultivating unforgettable guest experiences.

TABLE TALKS - SOBREMESA
FEBRUARY 15, 2021 + FEBRUARY 22, 2021

All Things Take Out

MRU Table Talks - Sobremesa is a platform for the restaurant community to share resources and make connections. "Sobremesa" is the Spanish tradition of relaxing at the table with conversation and dessert after a meal. Guests will talk about their experiences, successes or failures, and lessons they’ve learned while operating their restaurants, with plenty of time for discussion and Q&A. This month, we’re focused on All Things Take Out in a two session Sobremesa.

FOOD

FEBRUARY 15, 2021

SPEAKERS
Tam Le - Pho Linh
Brian Houlihan - Trident Group
Jonathan Mendez - Saloniki

PAST EVENT • MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 • 2:30PM EST

411 on Hibernation

Introducing MRU’s Table Talks - Sobremesa events series, a platform for the restaurant community to share resources and make connections. "Sobremesa" is the Spanish tradition of relaxing at the table with conversation and dessert after a meal. Guests will talk about their experiences, successes or failures, and lessons they’ve learned while operating their restaurants, with plenty of time for discussion and Q&A.

SPEAKERS

• Angela Raynor - The Boarding House, The Pearl

• Jamie Bissonnette - Coppa, Toro, Little Donkey

• Nancy Batista-Caswell - Caswell Restaurants

PAST EVENT • MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 • 11AM EST

MRU Info Session on Applying for Restaurant Relief Grants

VIEW EVENT RECORDING HERE

You are invited to a special zoom information session for independent restaurants on how to apply for a Massachusetts business relief grant we are hosting on Monday, January 11 at 11 a.m.

We will be joined by Larry Andrews, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, the organization in charge of administering $668 million in grant funds to help distressed businesses across our state. Applications are DUE by January 15.

We are thrilled that with MRU's backing, the Massachusetts government has taken recent steps to aid independent restaurants. Our legislature passed an Economic Development Bill which includes a statewide cap of 15% on the food delivery fees charged to independent restaurants and a new $20 million fund to support distressed restaurants, provisions long sought by MRU.

This financial support comes on top of the sector specific grants for which we are now eligible to apply. Please join us on Monday morning and learn how to apply for state grants for independent restaurants.

PAST EVENT • TUES., JULY 14, 2020 • 2PM EST

Sterile Zone: How Medical Practices Can Inform Restaurant Service

How can the medical profession assist restaurants’ work and vice versa? Join the MRU for a presentation with Dr Patel from hospital medicine, Dr. Currier from pulmonology, and Dr. Wroe in contract tracing. We'll hear about practices in hospitals that can be applied to service, talk about spread, and hear about best practices for when a guest or staff member is positive.

Dr. Currier: Paul Currier, MD, MPH is a pulmonary and critical care physician at Massachusetts Genera Hospital and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.  He serves as the director of the Respiratory Acute Care Unit and has spent the past months caring for patients with COVID-19. 

Dr. Patel: Elvis Patel, MD is an Internal Medicine Hospitalist at North Shore Medical Center (Salem Hospital), since September 2015. Hospitalists see adult inpatients exclusively and deal with any and all kinds of organ system disorders. His medical training residency was at Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, NJ (at the time affiliated with Mt Sinai School of Medicine, now part of Robert Wood Johnson - Barnabas Health) and he attended Pavlov University in St Petersburg, Russia. His clinical interests include cardiovascular disorders.

Dr. Wroe: Emily Wroe is Partners In Health’s Director of Implementation and Design with the Massachusetts Community Tracing Collaborative (CTC), the Associate Director of Policy and Implementation, NCD Synergies and an Associate Physician in the Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Wroe received her BA from Dartmouth College in 2003, her MD from Harvard Medical School in 2010, and her MPH from Harvard School of Public Health in 2015. Her early global health work was with PIH in Rwanda doing clinical work, research on adherence to HIV medications, and assisting with operational planning for a new district hospital. She then completed the Doris and Howard Hiatt Residency in Global Health Equity (GHE) and Internal Medicine at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. As a resident, she worked in Malawi to expand a program on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and improve TB screening initiatives. Dr. Wroe also served as the GHE residency’s first chief resident. Following completion of her residency in 2014, Dr. Wroe moved to Malawi as PIH’s Chief Medical Officer. In this role she works closely with the Ministry of Health to strengthen health care delivery in the rural district of Neno and support medical education and research. In her first few years in Neno, she led the team to redesign the HIV care delivery platform into an integrated approach to include NCDs, launched new community screening programs, and spearheaded a stepped-wedge study of a polyvalent community health worker program. Her academic interests center around implementation and evaluation of innovative health delivery systems, specifically for chronic disease. She is currently co-chairing Malawi’s National NCDs & Injuries of Poverty Commission and is working with NCD Synergies as the Associate Director of Policy & Implementation, to expand regional NCD efforts in southern Africa.