​Proceeds benefit restaurants who are serving our frontline heroes and to those experiencing food insecurity

Across Oregon (April 29, 2020) – The Oregon Hospitality Foundation announced it will team with Theatrical-At-Home to create a virtual watch party and fundraising event, Takeout & A Movie. The event, Saturday, May 9th, 2020 starts with streaming of the Oregon-made film, PHOENIX OREGON, at 5:00 pm followed by a live Q&A with its cast and crew at 7:00 pm. For those who are unable to attend May 9th, streaming access is available through May 17. 

All virtual movie ticket sales will be generously split with the Oregon Hospitality Foundation who will distribute 100% of their proceeds to Oregon restaurants who are feeding our frontline heroes and those with food insecurity. The Foundation is contributing $10,000 of its own funds to this effort.

“We see multiple benefits that include creating a special occasion to share this inspiring and humorous movie with family and friends, supporting community restaurants via takeout, providing funding for restaurants who are doing philanthropic work, and giving financial support to local filmmakers,” said Wendy Popkin, Executive Director of the Oregon Hospitality Foundation.

Lundgren’s PHOENIX, OREGON is about two friends, a graphic novelist and a chef, who defy a midlife haze by seizing an unlikely opportunity to reinvent their lives by quitting their jobs to restore an old bowling alley and serve the “world's greatest pizza.” For foodies and those who just enjoy dining out, “Chef Carlos” poignantly portrays the passion that chefs have for food and their desire to create a community around their table. For all of us who need a boost during this uncertain time, the story of how the two find the courage and resilience to take new risks and keep their dreams alive is encouraging, as well as humorous. The timing of the film’s release is uncanny as an analogy to the phrase “rising like a Phoenix from the ashes.”

The film stars an impressive lineup of indie film stalwarts and comedy favorites including James Le Gros (DRUGSTORE COWBOY, LIVING IN OBLIVION), Lisa Edelstein (“House”), Jesse Borrego (“Fame,” BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT), Reynaldo Gallegos (AMERICAN SNIPER), Diedrich Bader (NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, OFFICE SPACE, “Veep”), and Kevin Corrigan (THE DEPARTED, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, TRUE ROMANCE). 

All ticket purchases will receive a one-time link to watch the movie at home as well as a free digital copy upon its official release this summer.
 
"The lead character is modeled after a friend of ours, a passionate chef and pizzeria entrepreneur. We see how hard he works to create great cuisine and give back to his community every day,” said PHOENIX, OREGON producer Annie Lundgren. “Especially at this time, we are excited to partner with the Oregon Hospitality Foundation to support restaurants in our local community and across the state."

Restaurants across Oregon were forced to close their dining rooms due to COVID-19 on March 17th, 2020. Since then, we have seen an 83% decline in sales from April 1-April 10, 2020, forcing industry to layoff an estimated 81% of its employees. Despite these staggering losses, there are many who are struggling to survive on takeout/delivery/drive-through alone and yet are still striving to serve those in need.  

To purchase a ticket, go to https://phoenixoregonmovie.com/takeout, and join the social conversations at #TakeoutAndAMovie #HospitalityHelpFund.org.

PHOENIX, OREGON is released by Aspiration Entertainment in association with Ryan Bruce Levey Film Distribution and was produced by Joma Films with Pied Piper Productions, Lui-G Films, and Sunset Dynamics.

ORLA Proposes Relief Package to Help Restaurants Save Jobs, Plan for Recovery

WILSONVILLE, OR (April 23, 2020) – No other industry has suffered more employment or sales losses as a result of the coronavirus pandemic than the restaurant and hospitality industry. According to a new national survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association, ninety-four percent of Oregon restaurant operators say they have laid off or furloughed employees since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in March. Across the nation, more than 8 million restaurant employees have been laid off or furloughed – about 2 out of every 3 restaurant employees.

“The restaurant industry and its employees have been significantly impacted by this pandemic,” said Jason Brandt, President & CEO, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA). “Restaurant owners have said existing state and federal relief programs will not enable them to keep their employees on payroll throughout the downturn. We’re calling on our elected leaders to take more action to save jobs and get the industry on track for recovery.”
​
Oregon findings from the survey include:

• Ninety-four percent of Oregon restaurant operators say they have laid off or furloughed employees since the beginning of the outbreak
• National Restaurant Association estimates 81 percent of 156,200 employees in Oregon have been laid off or furloughed during this time – 127,000 people
• Four percent have already permanently closed; 6% expect to have to permanently close in the next month 
• On average, operators saw an 83 percent decline in sales from April 1 to April 10

​ORLA has assembled a list of proposed relief efforts for the Governor and the Legislature to take action on and start the long process of recovery for the restaurant and lodging industry. To date, over 255 Oregon hospitality businesses have signed on to show solidarity for the industry and urge lawmakers into action.

The National Restaurant Association conducted the survey from April 10-16 of more than 6,500 restaurant operators nationwide (owners/operators of eating and drinking places, which employ 12 million out of the total restaurant and foodservice workforce of 15.6 million).

Armed with this new research, the National Restaurant Association has a clearer picture of the severe challenges that lie ahead and has asked Congress for a focused solution on behalf of an industry that has been the hardest hit by the coronavirus mandates. The association submitted a restaurant industry "Blueprint for Recovery" that outlines how Congress can improve the outlook for our survival.

Visit OregonRLA.org to read ORLA’s Proposed Relief Efforts for Oregon’s hospitality industry and access the latest information and resources related to COVID-19.

Commercial Activity Tax (CAT)
The new Commercial Activity Tax is imposed only after a taxpayer exceeds $1 million of taxable commercial activity. Once they pass that threshold, the tax is $250 plus 0.57% on gross receipts greater than $1 million after subtractions. Proceeds of the tax are directed by statute to boost funding for public schools. The Department of Revenue's website includes a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) for tax payers to better understand what the tax is and who is subject to the tax. ​

​Resources & Webinars to Help You Understand the CAT
The Commercial Activity Tax is complicated and calculating your potential tax can be confusing. Therefore, ORLA has created a CAT calculator example to help our members understand how to calculate the tax. This exercise is only meant to help you project what your tax liability could be; as always, be sure to consult your tax advisors.

ORLA hosted two members-only informational webinars on Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 that explained the new tax, the Department’s implementation plans and what you can expect as a business owner. Tax experts with accounting firm Moss Adams LLP in Portland also provided some best tax practices for the hospitality industry. ORLA members can access the slide deck from the presentation by logging into the Member Portal on ORLA's website and clicking the Resource Library.

FAQ: Can we include the CAT tax on our customers’ bill? 
A. The legislation that established the CAT (Oregon Laws 2019, Chapters 122 and 579) does not specifically prohibit a business from passing on additional cost of the tax. If you do choose to add a new line item to the receipt, the line item itself still counts as “commercial activity” when determining your tax liability. Consult with an attorney or financial advisor before making any final decisions.

How the Commercial Activities Tax Came About
This was one of the 2019 Legislative Session bills having the biggest impact on businesses. ORLA was opposed to this bill as it raised taxes on commercial activity for businesses with gross revenues of over one million dollars. ORLA, along with others in the business community, was able to amend the original bill to include a deduction for labor or cost of goods sold. The association will work during the rule making session to ensure hospitality businesses will be able to include the tax increase on receipts so customers can see the impact of the tax.

Additional Information and Timeline for the CAT

• The tax begins on January 1, 2020. It includes all business entity types, including C and S corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, etc.
• CAT returns will be due each year on April 15. Estimated payments for the CAT will be due quarterly.
• You must register within 30 days of when you are aware you will hit the $750,000 registration requirement. If you do not register, there may be a penalty of $100 per month up to $1,000 per year. Online registration will open through Revenue in December.
• According to the Department of Revenue, temporary rules will be published January – March 2020, with permanent rules being established April – June of 2020. Items identified as “critical” by the Department of Revenue will be posted first in January, including instructions for estimated payments, calculations, and registration.
• More information on Oregon.gov/DOR. You can provide input any time by emailing DOR at cat.help.dor@oregon.gov​

April 20, 20 - Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA) submitted a letter of opposition (below) to Lane County on the proposed Ordinance 20-03, requiring Lane County lodgers to accept government vouchers or payment during an emergency. ORLA believes the proposed ordinance is unnecessary and is urging Commissioners not to pass Ordinance 20-03 and work together on solutions that already exist.

We encourage lodging operators in Lane County to to submit comments on this proposal prior to the public hearing.

Free Professional Development and Food Safety Courses Offered by the Restaurant and Lodging Industry and Scholarships for Continuing Education 
 
Coronavirus is on everyone’s mind as its effects are being felt around the world. We are all concerned for the health and safety of our families, friends, and colleagues. 

While positions in hospitality, like many industries, may be currently unavailable for employment, ours is one that that is known for its particular resilience. When it is once again safe, we believe that there will be pent up desire to travel and to dine out. These desires will create a need to hire skilled employees who can ‘hit the ground running’ and can fully participate in the evolving business models that are being created. 
 
The American Hotel & Lodging Foundation (AHLA Foundation) and the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) are both offering complimentary access to several food safety and professional development online courses detailed below. The intent is to help support hospitality employees who are finding themselves at home with time to invest in their education, but who are lacking the funds to do so. Courses are focused on the foodservice and hotel industries. 
 
Scholarships are also being offered to hotel industry employees to help them pay for AHLA certifications that are not being offered for free and/or to pursue education goals such as earning a GED. ​

Questions about eligibility:

Q: Who is eligible to take each of the free courses offered?
A: Anyone who would like to take these courses may take them!
 
Q: Is there a limit to the number of courses someone can take from each entity?
A: There are no limits to how many courses someone may take.
 
Q: Who is eligible for a scholarship offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation?
A: Please see the two different types of scholarships, and the qualifications for each, below.

More information about free training and scholarships can be found here: OregonRLA.org/freetraining.

We are proud to be partners in an industry that is seeking to take care of our furloughed employees in many ways, including this offer. We appreciate you sharing with anyone who can spread the word to individuals who can benefit.

Thank you,

Wendy Popkin, Executive Director
Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Education Foundation