The Dish

It's time to select the newest members of the 2017 Board of Directors and your vote matters!
RFMA members, check your inbox for an email with your link to the ballot or log onto rfmaonline.com with your username and password to find the ballot on "My Feed."
You must cast your vote by Friday, November 4th.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/rfm-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=408821&issueID=55686 to view the full article online.

RFMA's official publication, Facilitator, is seeking editorial for our upcoming February/March issue. We are looking for innovative educational articles for our restaurant facility professional readers.
February/March 2017 (Conference Issue)
Focus: Sustainability
Topics: Disaster Recovery, Energy Management, Technology, Roofing, Remodeling/Green Building, Capital Investment, Pest Control and HVAC/R
Editorial Due: Friday, December 9th
Interested in contributing? Contact heather@rfmaonline.com

Visit http://www.rfmaonline.com/?page=SubmitArticle to view the full article online.

Fresh Speakers. Juicy Topics.
RFMA is excited to announce the slate of our RFMA 2017 education sessions which includes a variety of topics such as: ADA, Energy Management, Leadership, LED Lighting, Project Management, Refrigeration, Time Management, The Internet of Things and Vendor Management.

Visit http://www.rfmaannualconference.com/program2.cfm to view the full article online.

How does your restaurant compare to your peers on key metrics like same-store sales and customer traffic? The National Restaurant Association offers a simple way to access operating data points for comparison – take a 5-minute survey.

Visit http://www.restaurant.org/News-Research/News/How-is-your-restaurant-doing-on-customer-traffic to view the full article online.

RESTAURANT NEWS
First Watch announced today that it has entered into an exclusive franchise development agreement with Good Morning Carolinas, LLC, a subsidiary of Houston Pizza Venture. The fast-growing franchise group plans to develop 12 new First Watch restaurants in the Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as Columbia, Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina, markets within the next five years.

Visit http://www.restaurantnews.com/first-watch-signs-12-restaurant-development-agreement-with-experienced-restaurant-operator/ to view the full article online.

CHARLES H. RODRIGUEZ, Modern Restaurant Management
Most restaurant owners are now aware that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced one of the most significant developments in federal labor policy from the last decade. Effective December 1, 2016, new regulations governing the "white collar" overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) will essentially double the federal overtime salary exemption.

Visit http://www.modernrestaurantmanagement.com/restaurant-owners-dealing-with-the-dol-overtime-wage-update-hr-experts-weigh-in/ to view the full article online.

FAST CASUAL
Coates Group, a provider of kiosks, digital merchandising software and digital drive-thrus, has introduced a virtual reality tool to allow brands to physically see and develop digital hardware and content within their own virtual store.

Visit http://www.fastcasual.com/news/coates-group-offers-virtual-reality-tool-to-help-brands-develop-new-solutions/ to view the full article online.

Retail & Restaurant Facility Business
In a restaurant, it’s no surprise that an incredible amount of time and effort is spent on cleaning and maintaining the kitchen and its equipment and supplies. From sanitizing prep lines and degreasing equipment to mopping floors and cleaning out sinks, restaurant kitchens are cleaned regularly and thoroughly.

Visit http://retailrestaurantfb.com/industry-voices/dirty-little-secret to view the full article online.

VISHY VISWESWARAN, FAST CASUAL
Restaurants that want to mirror Amazon's success must first employ the strategic work it applies to its supply chain technology and infrastructure.

Visit http://www.fastcasual.com/blogs/4-lessons-restaurants-can-learn-from-amazons-supply-chain-strategy/ to view the full article online.

CLEANLINK
Millennials are the most educated generation in U.S. history, with 63 percent having college degrees; this also means they likely will be hired into management positions.

Visit http://www.cleanlink.com/news/article/How-to-Engage-the-Millennial-Purchasing-Manager--20160 to view the full article online.