April 30, 2018 – West Des Moines, IA – Don’t wait to make your restaurant reservations. Mother’s Day surpasses even Valentine’s Day as the most popular holiday on which to dine out according to research from the Iowa Restaurant Association. In fact, nearly half of moms would pick a favorite restaurant as the place to celebrate Mother’s Day. Not sure what to include with that card? “There’s really no need to worry about how to celebrate the moms in your life,” said Jessica Dunker, Iowa Restaurant Association president and CEO. “Moms love restaurants. Not only do restaurants provide a much-deserved reprieve from cooking at home, they also provide a celebratory atmosphere.”  Restaurant gift cards and certificates are also a top gift pick for moms, with one in five saying this is their preferred gift. Dunker noted that it is important to get on top of making Mother’s Day restaurant reservations. “It’s not too soon to make reservations regardless of the meal you’re planning to celebrate,” said Dunker.  Fifty-five percent of Mother’s Day diners will go out to a restaurant for dinner, 34 percent lunch, 30 percent brunch, and 12 percent for breakfast.  In addition, one in five Mother’s Day diners (23 percent) will go out for more than one meal that day. Atmosphere is also an important factor because children are a major part of the mix when dining out on Mother’s Day. Two-thirds of those dining out on Mother’s Days this year will have children under the age of 18 in their party. Find a Restaurant Looking for a new restaurant to try this Mother’s Day? Dunker encourages people to check out Dine Iowa, a free statewide restaurant directory.  Available online as well as a free smart phone app and on Facebook, Dine Iowa allows consumers to check out menus and hours, as well as run unique searches on everything from Gluten Free offerings to patio seating.  It is available at www.dineiowa.org.

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Iowa Restaurant Association The Iowa Restaurant Association is an advocacy organization supporting Iowa’s hospitality industry with educational and promotional programs across the state.  www.restaurantiowa.com. Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist 515-276-1454 kkostek@restaurantiowa.com

Thursday, April 5, 2018 – Des Moines, IA – Congratulations to Jessica Dunker, President & CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, who has been named the 2018 Inspiring Women of Iowa Courage Award Recipient by the Girls Scouts of Greater Iowa. Dunker was nominated by an anonymous source for the Courage Award which is given to a woman who has shown strength in the face of fear, pain, or grief and persevered. Dunker accepted the award at a luncheon held at the Des Moines Marriott on Wednesday, April 4. In her acceptance speech, Dunker commented, “I realize the courage that was required by the women who were nominated in this category and the things they’ve had to overcome in their lives and I am so honored to be in their company. Every one of the nominees are women of courage, character and confidence.”

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Iowa Restaurant Association The Iowa Restaurant Association provides advocacy, education and promotional support to Iowa’s restaurant and tavern industry. www.restaurantiowa.com Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454

West Des Moines – February 12, 2018 – Today the Iowa Restaurant Association announced that in 2017 more than 6,000 foodservice professionals earned their food safety management certification. The Association also reported that more than 17,000 have received the credential in the past three years. The credential is earned by taking a class and passing a national exam on topics ranging from contamination prevention, appropriate hold and cook times and temperatures, and sanitation imperatives. “State Law requires every foodservice establishment to have one person who is a certified food protection manager,” said Jessica Dunker, President and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association. “The fact that triple that number of foodservice professionals have earned this designation shows that Iowans can be confident about the quality and safety of their meals in restaurants of all types across the state.” To receive the credential, foodservice professionals take ServSafe™ – a one-day, nationally developed class based on the current food code and best practices. Training classes are offered in English and Spanish at the Iowa Restaurant Association office and across the state via Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Classes are $150 and can be found online at www.restaurantiowa.com.

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Iowa Restaurant Association The Iowa Restaurant Association provides advocacy, education and promotional support to Iowa’s restaurant and tavern industry. www.restaurantiowa.com

Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454

West Des Moines – February 5, 2018 – More than seventy million Americans will celebrate Valentine’s Day at a restaurant this year according to the National Restaurant Association. Many restaurants plan to offer special promotions, entertainment, flowers and other romantic items, making a night at a favorite or new restaurant a perfect gesture for the one you love. “The top three deciding factors for couples choosing to eat out are the familiarity of a favorite eatery, a romantic setting, and special menu offerings,” said Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association. “It’s not too soon to make reservations as Valentine’s Day is the second most popular holiday to dine out in America (behind Mother’s Day), and about one-third of those celebrating the holiday will be visiting a restaurant.” Those with busy schedules who choose to celebrate their love on a night other than February 14th are in luck. Nearly one-third of consumers prefer to receive a restaurant gift card from a significant other over chocolate, flowers and even jewelry this holiday. Think ahead and give the gift of a great dining.

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Iowa Restaurant Association The Iowa Restaurant Association provides advocacy, education and promotional support to Iowa’s restaurant and tavern industry. www.restaurantiowa.com

Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454

Under Iowa’s current antiquated system, only hospitality operators are required to insure themselves against the behavior of others. This mandated insurance is often cost-prohibitive, providing little coverage to the business or assistance to innocent victims.

Des Moines – January 22, 2018 – The Iowa Restaurant Association is asking state lawmakers to pass insurance reform that would make it possible for restaurant and tavern operators to secure better policies to help compensate innocent victims if an intoxicated person causes harm and the restaurant or bar is held partially responsible. Called “DRAM” insurance, in Iowa this coverage requirement is unique to those who “sell and serve” alcohol such as restaurants and bars. There is no similar requirement for those who “sell” unopened alcohol such as box stores, pharmacies, grocery, and convenience stores. “We are the only segment of the industry which is held responsible for the behavior of others,” said Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, the group spearheading the proposed changes. “We understand we have a unique relationship with patrons and as such we’re willing to carry the extra coverage, but we also have to have access to affordable policies.” According to Dunker, Iowa ranks 46th in the nation in “insurability” for DRAM. “That’s a pretty unattractive marketplace,” says Dunker. She points to the rankings from ISO, an organization that provides actuarial and other information about property/casualty insurance risk. This data is used by insurance carriers to select markets and set rates. “The way Iowa’s laws are written today, it’s nearly impossible for them to determine their risk,” says Dunker. “If I was an insurance carrier, I’d think twice about writing DRAM policies in Iowa too.” As a result, Iowa restaurants and bars can often find only one carrier willing to offer the insurance, resulting in high-cost, low-coverage policies. “I know of one operator who has a $150,000 policy that he pays $40,000 per year for,” said Dunker. “This is particularly tough for border businesses who simply can’t compete with their counterparts in other states.” The Association hopes their proposed changes will bring Iowa’s DRAM insurance grade in line with surrounding states. “Nearly anything would be better than what we have today,” said Dunker. The Iowa Restaurant Association will be meeting with legislators this week to discuss their proposed changes. A copy of their proposed bill can be found here.

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Iowa Restaurant Association The Iowa Restaurant Association provides advocacy, education and promotional support to Iowa’s restaurant and tavern industry. www.restaurantiowa.com

Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454

Technology may be an increasingly important tool for getting guests to walk through the doors of a restaurant, but consumers still prefer the “human touch” once they arrive.

Des Moines – January 15, 2018 – Research from the National Restaurant Association reveals that having the ability to view an online menu before choosing a restaurant was the difference maker for 60% of patrons looking for restaurants.  Millennials were even higher with 74% citing access to an online menu as the primary factor when opting for one restaurant over another, and 68% of Gen Xers and 50% of baby boomers saying the same.  Additionally, the ability to read online reviews is important to all ages with nearly six in 10 adults saying this was a key decision maker when picking a restaurant. However, once that decision is made, most patrons prefer to interact with people. Nearly half of consumers surveyed said technology can complicate restaurant visits and ordering. In fact, 74% said the inability to ask questions can detract from their restaurant visit or ordering experience. “Given the demographics and culture of our state, most Iowa restaurants are taking a blended approach to integrating technology,” said Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association.  “Even Mom-and-Pop Shops are taking strides to be intentional about their online presence, but the importance of real people making patrons feel welcome and cared for in the hospitality industry can never be replaced by a smart phone or tableside tablet.” Results cited from the National Restaurant Association’s Technology Consumer Survey.

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Iowa Restaurant Association The Iowa Restaurant Association provides advocacy, education and promotional support to Iowa’s restaurant and tavern industry. www.restaurantiowa.com

Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454

Des Moines – January 8, 2018 – Iowa restaurants are well positioned to be on the cutting edge of 2018’s top culinary concept according to the Iowa Restaurant Association. A recent survey of top chefs found that 74% consider “hyper-local” restaurant concepts – including those with onsite beer brewing, house-made items and even restaurant gardens – to be the top culinary concept trend for 2018. “Living in the heart of the nation’s breadbasket means Iowa restaurateurs can literally look out their windows, and find local ingredients,” said Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association. “Other top trends also name simplicity, back to the basics and farm-branded items as top concept trends which are our state’s culinary wheelhouse.” The National Restaurant Association surveyed 700 American Culinary Federation members in October – November 2017, asking them to rate 161 items as a “hot trend,” “yesterday’s news,” or “perennial favorite” on menus in 2018.

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Iowa Restaurant Association  The Iowa Restaurant Association provides advocacy, education and promotional support to Iowa’s restaurant and tavern industry. www.restaurantiowa.com Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454