The Top 5 - Michigan Restaurant Association

The Top 5
Benefits of Membership
We Want to Work
for You
From corner diners and local pubs to
multi-location franchises and industry
suppliers, the Michigan Restaurant
Association (MRA) represents them all.
Since 1921, the MRA has existed for
the sole purpose of helping Michigan’s
restaurants do business and support
the foodservice industry. Learn more
about how we work to provide political
advocacy, certification and educational
opportunities, cost-saving programs,
accurate information, and networking
events to our valued members.
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Michigan Restaurant Association
The Michigan Restaurant Association
aspires to be depended upon as your
partner in business and a trusted source for
information and resources. As Chairman of
the MRA Board of Directors, please consider
joining your restaurateur neighbors and
peers by becoming a member today.
Ken Miller
MRA Chairman of the Board
Officers
Ken Miller, Chairman
Millennium Restaurant Group, Kalamazoo
Jim Holton, Past Chairman
Mountain Town Station, Mount Pleasant
Deb Fratrik, Vice Chairman
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Pontiac
Brian DeBano, President and CEO
Michigan Restaurant Association, Lansing
Brad Keen, Treasurer
Boyne Resorts, Harbor Springs
Board of Directors
Victor AnsaraBrad Hansen
Ansara Restaurant Group, Farmington
LaBelle Management, Mt. Pleasant
T. Michael Ansley
Paul Hess
Diversified Restaurant Holdings, Southfield
Epoch Restaurant Group, Novi
Ted Behen
Sysco Food Services of Detroit, Canton
Brian McAllister
The Hofbrau, Interlochen
Janet Sossi Belcoure
Roma Café, Detroit
Mark Mitra
Mitra Enterprises, Northville
Mark BurzychRay Roberts
Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC, Okemos U.S. Foods, Wixom
Todd CallewaertKeith Sirois
The Island House Hotel, Mackinac Island
Big Boy Restaurants International, Warren
Joe CekolaJennifer Szewc
Imperial Beverages, Kalamazoo
Outback Steakhouse, Davisburg
Dave Dittenber
Kara Warren
Old City Hall Restaurant, Bay City
Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids
Andrew French
Aubree’s Flagstar, Ypsilanti
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“
Restaurants must be represented in government, and as handson owners, we really don’t have the time to do it properly. That’s where the
Michigan Restaurant Association comes in – they ARE the voice
of our industry with lawmakers. Attending the Association’s Capitol
Day, I saw first-hand the power and professionalism of the MRA
in Lansing. Their efforts clearly represent the restaurant industry well and
demonstrate the value of membership.
Pat Cleary, Owner
Cleary’s Pub, Chelsea
44 | | Michigan
MichiganRestaurant
RestaurantAssociation
Association
”
Benefit
1
We ARE influencing
policy to protect your
business every day.
As part of the restaurant industry in Michigan, the
MRA is your voice at the Capitol – in Lansing and
Washington D.C. As the only trade association
in Michigan representing the foodservice
industry on critical issues, the MRA is an
important player in the Michigan Legislature.
We regularly monitor and engage on labor
issues, liquor control, taxes and fees, food
safety, and more. We meet with public
officials to discuss how those topics will
affect restaurants and our industry. And
we keep members informed about
government affairs topics and what
they mean for their business.
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“
The restaurant business has challenges with difficult regulations. Utilizing
the ServSafe program through the Michigan Restaurant
Association for our alcohol and food safety training has helped us meet
the compliance regulations with ease – and saved money.
Not only was the Association a key partner in getting the liquor license
transferred for one of my restaurants in a timely manner, they also went
above and beyond my expectations by actually doing an onsite alcohol training session for my staff on very short notice. The ServSafe
program is the industry leader and the service provided by the Michigan
Restaurant Association staff is highly accommodating.
James Berg, Managing Partner
Essence Restaurant Group (Bistro Bella Vita,
The Green Well, and Grove), Grand Rapids
66 || Michigan
Michigan Restaurant
Restaurant Association
Association
”
Benefit
2
We ARE your source for
ServSafe certification
and other education
opportunities.
Food and alcohol safety training are critical
components of your business. The MRA is your
one-stop-shop for all ServSafe certification
programs – food manager, food handler, allergen,
and alcohol. Members receive discounts on
certification classes, and a variety of locations and
online options are available for testing.
In addition to ServSafe, the MRA is your source for
general education opportunities. From seminars
about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act and Foodborne Illness Management to
Marketing and Professional Development, the MRA
presents educational sessions
at no charge to members
throughout the year.
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michiganrestaurant.org
“
Saving time and money is critical as a restaurant owner. The Michigan
Restaurant Association helps me do both – especially when it
comes to workers’ compensation coverage. I’ve participated with
their Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Fund for years now. It’s specific to the
restaurant industry, was simple to join, and has been an outstanding
investment in protecting my business. We do our part to keep on-the-job
injuries down, and the Fund gives us comfort in knowing it’s there when needed.
Since the Fund is owned by members, it is a natural fit because I am already a
partner with the MRA, which helps protect my restaurants.
Tom Brann, Owner
Brann’s Sizzling Steaks & Sports Grille,
Grand Rapids
88 || Michigan
Michigan Restaurant
Restaurant Association
Association
”
Benefit
3
We ARE money-saving,
quality programs and
services.
We know you want to run a profitable business, and that
takes many resources. The MRA has formed partnerships
with companies who want to help you reduce costs
while not losing operational quality or employee
benefits. Members can take advantage of the collective
buying power of the MRA through preferred programs.
Those who participate in these programs will see a clear
return on their membership investment.
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Workers’ Compensation Program
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Health Care Insurance
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Natural Gas Procurement
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Credit Card Processing
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E-Mail Marketing
■
Music Licensing
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Benefit
4
We ARE industryleading resources.
We know your time is valuable. The MRA provides
regular communications in a variety of formats to
help ensure you are getting up-to-date information
the way you want it. Content includes culinary,
consumer, and menu trends; industry and business
information; government affairs activities; and MRA
events and offerings. The MRA’s regular
communications include the Michigan Restaurateur
magazine, Michigan Restaurant News
newsletter, and State of the Plate
and MRA News Bites e-messages.
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michiganrestaurant.org
house statistics, tips on
starting a restaurant,
industry forecasts, and
much more!
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Benefit
5
We ARE networking
opportunities.
The restaurant industry is how we
all make our living – it’s where our
passion for food and foodservice
reside. Sharing that passion with
peers is a great benefit of the
many member events hosted by
the MRA each year.
Held annually in October, the Michigan Restaurant
Show lets you meet with vendors about new
products to grow your business and learn from
industry experts. Capitol Day provides small-group
meetings with legislators so that your voice is sure to
be heard. Participation with the ProStart Program is
a great way to pass on your industry passion to the
next generation. Numerous MRA Political Action
Committee events are an avenue to financially
support our political advocacy efforts while engaging
in fun activities, such as the annual golf outing.
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As a foodservice professional, many of your
neighbors and peers are already members. Take an
active step and join the Michigan Restaurant
Association, the recognized leader of Michigan’s
restaurant industry.
Your membership investment includes:
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Education and training opportunities, plus
discounts on ServSafe certification
Money-saving programs and services, including
natural gas and credit card processing
Political advocacy efforts to protect your business
Networking events, such as the Michigan
Restaurant Show
Industry-leading resources, including a memberonly website
Free membership in the National
Restaurant Association
Have a seat with us – join the MRA!
225 W. Washtenaw • Lansing, MI 48933
michiganrestaurant.org • 800-968-9668
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