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Homa Moheimani
Manager of Media & Communications
Ohio Restaurant Association hires Melissa DeGraw as Director of Business Development and Growth
4/23/2019
Former Experience Columbus leader will drive ORA’s external partnerships
High Chair Regulations
4/3/2019
Did you know there's a new safety regulation from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on high chairs? Here's a link to the announcement but the key things to know are...
ORA QuickBites - APRIL 2019
4/1/2019
Watch our latest QuickBites on all things related to Ohio's restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry. We share these every other month with updates on local, statewide and national legislative updates, ORA events and much more. ✅
ORA praises bipartisan bill to clarify depreciation expensing rules for small businesses
3/20/2019
The ORA and National Restaurant Association both endorse bipartisan legislation clarifying the depreciation rule around business improvements known as “qualified improvement property,” or QIP...
Ohio restaurant industry same-store sales grew 4.9%; 75% using online ordering
2/15/2019
Same-store sales trends for the most recent quarter (October through December) grew an average of 4.9 percent...
ORA QuickBites - FEBRUARY 2019
2/4/2019
Watch our first QuickBites on all things related to Ohio's restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry. We'll be posting this every other month with updates on local, statewide and national legislative updates, ORA events and much more! What do you think of our first QuickBites video? Send us feedback at communications@ohiorestaurant.org
ORA opposes State Issue 1
11/2/2018
The Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) today added its voice to the significant and growing grassroots coalition in opposition to State Issue 1...
New High Chair Safety Standards Are Coming — Here's Everything You Need to Know
10/30/2018
By: Lindsey Murray - Trends & Reviews Editor for Good Housekeeping
After more than 18,000 high chair-related emergency visits from 2015 through 2016, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) has...
Ohio restaurant same-store sales trending upward; Online ordering expected to grow and UberEats a favorite for food delivery
10/2/2018
The Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) and the Cleveland Research Co. recently completed a survey of restaurant operators and foodservice professionals across Ohio, representing 70 companies and more than 175 locations....
An Evening with Mike DeWine 2018
8/14/2018
On Monday, August 13, 2018 the ORA hosted a reception, dinner and conversation in support of Mike DeWine for Governor and Jon Husted for Lt. Governor at Jeff...
ORA in the News
8/10/2018
Article by Jim Offner - The Packer
Ohio restaurant group shifts to consulting
As it approaches its 100th anniversary, the Columbus-based Ohio Restaurant Association has updated its approach to business, evolving from a traditional association to a “more contemporary consulting group,” said John Barker, president and...
Chef Jonathan Sawyer to present at #MAREXPO
8/09/2018
We’re so excited to announce that Chef Jonathon Sawyer will be presenting at the 2019 Mid-America Restaurant Expo! As a proud Clevelander, Ohio Restaurant Association member and restaurateur, Sawyer brings a wealth of experience from opening several of his own restaurants, including...
ORA Endorses Troy Balderson
07/24/2018
COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 24, 2018) -- The Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) Board of Directors today enthusiastically announced its endorsement of State Senator Troy Balderson in Ohio's 12th congressional district..
“Endorsing Troy Balderson sends a...
ORA/NRA Golf Classic Tees Up to be Great Success
06/26/2018
The 21st annual ORA/NRA Golf Classic was held at the New Albany Country Club on June 26. In addition to a beautiful course and amazing food, approximately 100 industry leaders gathered to celebrate a worthy cause with net proceeds from the event...
News Release: Ohio Restaurant Association announces positive sales trends in Buckeye state, robust restaurant growth and soaring expansion of food delivery
06/19/2018
COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 19, 2018) – The Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) today announced a broad range of data about the restaurant industry in the Buckeye state showing a robust business environment.
“In Ohio, sales are growing, the number of...
News Release: Restaurants Win Big at Smart 50 Awards
06/15/2018
DUBLIN, Ohio (June 15, 2018) – Last night, hundreds of business professionals and industry leaders gathered to celebrate the Smart 50 Awards Columbus Class of 2018 at Cameron Mitchell's The Exchange at Bridge Park in Dublin.
The Ohio Restaurant...
News Release: Ohio Restaurant Association inducts Sam Lindsley as Chairman of the Board
06/12/2018
COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 12, 2018) – Restaurant and foodservice industry leaders and representatives gathered last week in Columbus to celebrate the installation of Sam Lindsley of Michael Symon Restaurants as the 90th Chairman of the Ohio Restaurant...
Ohio ProStart® Celebration of the Stars
05/08/2018
On Monday, May 7, the Ohio Restaurant Education Foundation and Ohio Prostart® hosted the annual Celebration of the Stars, which is an evening to award more than $50,000 in scholarships to high school students in culinary and restaurant management...
Michael Symon Back to Keynote Mid-America Restaurant Expo
05/03/2018
COLUMBUS, OH (May 3, 2018) Back by popular demand, Celebrity chef, restaurateur, James Beard award winner and television star Michael Symon returns as keynote speaker for the 2019 Mid-America Restaurant Expo.
The Expo is the premier Midwest regional ...
It's Managed Care Organization (MCO) Open Enrollment Season!
05/02/2018
Are you currently enrolled with CareWorks MCO?
YES: No need to read further! Go outside and enjoy the spring sunshine, and thank you for supporting the ORA and choosing CareWorks as your MCO provider.
NO: We're here to keep you on track, so read on!
...
FEDERAL MENU LABELING ENFORCEMENT DATE IS MAY 8
04/27/2018
The FDA announced May 4, 2017, that it has pushed the enforcement date to May 8, 2018. See Restaurant.org/MenuLabeling for full details.
Read articles that will guide you through this transition:
ORA and Members Head to Washington, D.C.
04/20/2018
On April 17-18, the ORA and a group of our members traveled to Washington D.C.to collaborate with the National Restaurant Association, restaurant and foodservice industry professionals from across the U.S. and lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Representing...
#OhioWorksHere Tour - Where will you see us next?
04/13/2018
DID YOU KNOW the "O" in ORA stands for OHIO?
Sounds like a silly question, but we want to make sure everyone knows we represent the entire Buckeye state. That's why the ORA staff is kicking off the #OhioWorksHere Tour to visit all of our members...
Farm to Table Secrets in Ohio Farm Bureau Interview
04/10/2018
ORA President & CEO John Barker was recetnly interviewed by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation's Communications Director Joe Cornely and Executive Vice President Adam Sharp. They discussed a wide range of topics, including industry stats, trends,...
News Release: Ohio Restaurant Sales Trends Promising, Operators Optimistic About 2018
03/19/2018
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Mar. 19, 2018) – The Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) and Cleveland Research Company recently completed a new survey of a wide range of restaurant operators and foodservice professionals across Ohio, representing more than 125...
NEXT UP: ORA Idea Factory - April 11
03/15/2018
Want to attend?
This event is free for Ohio Restaurant Association members; there is a fee of $25.00 for non-members and $10.00 for students.
Networking reception featuring heavy hors d'oeuvres and an open bar immediately following the event.
News Release: ORA Endorses Mike DeWine for Governor
03/13/2018
'COLUMBUS, Ohio (Mar. 13, 2018) -- The Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) Board of Directors today enthusiastically announced its endorsement of Mike DeWine for Governor and Jon Husted for Lieutenant Governor.
“Mike DeWine has been a tireless...
JOB ALERT! Member Sales & Growth Specialist
03/12/2018
The Ohio Restaurant Association is seeking a dynamic, energetic and motivated Member Sales and Growth Specialist to join our team to help us grow our membership and propel our association to the next level of success. Click here to apply...
ORA Town Hall - March 7, 2018
03/09/2018
On Wednesday, March 7, 2018, the Ohio Restaurant Association held it's first Town Hall of the year with A+ speakers, including Ohio Democratic & Republican Party Chairs, David Pepper and Jane Timken, Greater Cleveland Partnership President & CEO Joe ...
2018 Ohio ProStart® Invitational
02/28/2018
The 16th annual Ohio ProStart® Invitational, sponsored by Gordon Food Service, and the 2nd Burger Battle, sponsored by the Ohio Beef Council, will was held on Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25 at the Crowne Plaza at 6500 Doubletree...
ORA TOWN HALL ANNOUNCED - MARCH 7
02/14/2018
WHAT:
The ORA Town Hall Meeting will feature an inside look at Ohio's political races in 2018 and driving business growth in Ohio's three biggest cities.
WHEN:
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
10:00 AM - 2:30 PM EST
WHERE:
Creekside Conference & Event Center
101...