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8 www.ohiorestaurant.org Summer Issue

The Ohio Restaurant Association’s membership is comprised of three types of categories: restaurant members, purveyor members and associate members. Members in each of these categories have joined the association for a specifc reason.

Whether it’s for the dual membership benefts from the National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) that restaurant members receive; the ability to promote their products and services to foodservice professionals that the ORA offers purveyor members or whether it’s involvement with the Ohio ProStart ® program, for discounts on ServSafe ® materials and access to the most up-to-date information on the foodservice industry that associate members receive, the ORA has a membership that’s right for you.

With more than 90 years of industry experience, the ORA remains dedicated to representation, education, assistance and promotion of the Ohio foodservice industry. Since the association’s inception, the ORA has been committed to providing Ohio’s foodservice professionals with everything they need to run their businesses. Additionally, as the only statewide organization with a full-time lobbyist, political advocacy program and full-time staff of 14, the association is devoted exclusively to serving the needs of our members. We hope that you will utilize this edition of à la Carte to better understand and utilize all of the resources and services the ORA provides our members to help them grow and sustain their businesses.

Understanding Your Membership

in Ohio’s Only Statewide Trade Association

The Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) is committed to forging relationships between its members and best-in-class service providers. Your membership in the association provides you with many opportunities to connect with companies whose offerings could save you thousands of dollars annually on business services. These companies also understand the unique challenges that foodservice professionals face and are dedicated to helping you grow and sustain your business.

Why Has the ORA Explored These Partnerships?

The relationships the ORA has cultivated on our members’ behalf aim to provide you with thousands of dollars in savings annually; relief from worry associated with missed deadlines; and access to knowledgeable, committed experts who can focus on issues that shouldn’t plague you as you strive to serve your customers and manage your operations most effectively. The ORA will continue to investigate benefts and services that enhance our members’ investment in the association.

CareWorks Consultants The ORA possesses more than 90 years of foodservice industry experience, including navigating through the Ohio Workers’ Compensation system. Workers’ compensation

in Ohio is both challenging to navigate and extremely costly if companies fail to follow the rules established by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).

This is why the ORA developed the ORA Workers’ Compensation Group Savings Plan. With many aspects from which to choose, there is a plan that’s right for your organization. Rely on the ORA and our 20-year partner – CareWorks Consultants – to help you navigate the system. Via our partnership, our members receive access to the only group rating plan specifcally designed for the foodservice industry. In fact, the ORA’s group plan helps employers achieve the highest group rating discount possible. In 2010 alone, more than 1,400 ORA members will save more than $4.5 million, or an average of $3,040 in workers’ compensation premiums through the ORA’s Workers’ Compensation Group Rating Plan. Additionally, the consultants at CareWorks Consultants understand the challenges you face because of their history with the ORA.

In addition to the group rating plan, the ORA’s relationship with CareWorks Consultants provides members access to many other programs, including the individual retrospective rating program, the $15,000 medical-only program and the group retrospective rating. Often referred to as “group retro,” this program provides employers who do not qualify for group rating with an

alternative rating program designed to reward participants that are able to keep their claim costs below a predetermined amount. To learn more about the ORA and the benefts provided through our partnership with CareWorks Consultants, visit: http://associationdatabase. com/aws/ORA/pt/sp/products_workerscomp

Heartland Payment Systems Frequently, ORA members encounter challenges when choosing the right company to handle their credit card and debit card processing needs. There can be endless surcharges, fne-print stipulations and language designed to confuse even the most seasoned business experts. In order to help our members avoid some of these headaches, the ORA has partnered with Heartland Payment Systems.

Heartland Payment Systems aims to help restaurant professionals generate as much proft as possible from every transaction by eliminating outsourcing and middlemen. By doing so, the company is able to deliver cost savings and streamlined processes for key services to your restaurant. Members who utilize the service have faster access to their funds, the convenience of consolidated deposits, statements, account access and customer service – all from one source. To

Business Resources That Can Assist You in Running Your Operations: ORA Strategic Partnerships