Texas Restaurant Association CEO Dishes on Membership Value, Tipping, and Childcare Initiative

President and CEO Emily Williams Knight helped guide the Texas Restaurant Association and its tens of thousands of members through the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to advocate for legislation that will help restaurants thrive. She shares stories about the industry association’s efforts on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, to educate and benefit members, as well as her thoughts on why transactional tipping is bad, swipe fees, too, and how getting a childcare initiative established and fostering the second chance hiring initiative will be key to sustaining growth of this billion-dollar industry.

Topics Include:
00:00:00: Episode Preview

00:01:25: Introduction to Emily Williams Knight

00:01:55: The pandemic's impact on the restaurant industry

00:03:14: Impact of pro-business policies during a pandemic

00:06:35: Changes in the restaurant industry post-pandemic

00:08:47: Mission of association as state’s largest private employer

00:11:52: Value of being an association member: education and a voice

00:13:40: Crucial topics and demands within the restaurant industry

00:16:15: Discussion about regulatory measures and compliance

00:16:58: Discussion about tipping policies in the restaurant industry

00:17:18: Discussion on transactional tipping

00:18:07: Importance of experiential tipping

00:21:37: Discussion on swipe fees

00:25:26: Shrinkflation in the restaurant Industry

00:28:01: Minimum Wage Discussion

00:31:07: Child care crisis solution initiative

00:32:53: Second chance hiring initiative

00:34:52: Wrap-up and thank you

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The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.