Advocacy in Action | December 19, 2024
Junk Fees Rule
After a 15-month advocacy campaign, restaurant operators have scored a significant victory. This morning, the Biden Administration and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released their final rule on so-called “junk fees,” explicitly excluding restaurants from the regulation.
Restaurant service fees, delivery fees, credit card surcharges, and other widely accepted restaurant-related fees will not be included in the final rule. The elimination of these fees would have cost independent restaurant operators approximately 10 perfect of their total income in compliance if it had passed as written.
The FTC recognized the significant impact of the restaurant industry’s advocacy, noting: “A mass mailing from about 4,650 restaurant owners criticized the rule as a one-size-fits-all approach that would be unworkable for the restaurant industry.”
This victory highlights the power of collective advocacy. By engaging with lawmakers, sharing stories, and voicing concerns, restaurant operators nationwide ensured that their businesses were protected from damaging, one-size-fits-all regulations.
Corporate Transparency Act Halted
A nationwide preliminary injunction has temporarily halted enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements, meaning businesses are not currently obligated to file and will not face penalties for non-compliance during this time.
Found out more information by reading this information provided by Pullman & Comley.
Restaurants Act Public Affairs Conference 2025
The CRA supports you on a local, state and national level. Each year, we represent Connecticut at the Restaurants Act Public Affairs Conference.
We travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with our federal delegates to discuss federal issues such as immigration, tax initiatives and more. Our objective is to meet with stakeholders who has a say in our industry, as well as meet with our peers from across America.
If you are interested in being part of this year's conference, please email Yvette at tavares@ctrestaurant.org.