Quick Bites | March 2022
Introducing What's with the Pineapple? A Podcast by the MRLA
What’s with the Pineapple? Is a brand new podcast about what’s happening in Michigan’s hospitality industry delivered directly through your speakers brought to you by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA). We know that pineapples don’t grow in Michigan, but just trust us.
Join MRLA President and CEO, Justin Winslow and Vice President of Marketing and Operations, Emily Daunt as they take a deeper, more informal approach to sharing industry news with you about current events, major headlines and trends, updates on what's happening at the Capitol in Lansing and Washington D.C., and so much more! Each episode features a special guest interview to share stories and provide additional insight on the latest industry happenings.
New episodes of What’s with the Pineapple? Will be delivered to you bi-monthly and are available to stream on Apple Podcasts, Blueberry, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
Join MRLA President and CEO, Justin Winslow and Vice President of Marketing and Operations, Emily Daunt as they take a deeper, more informal approach to sharing industry news with you about current events, major headlines and trends, updates on what's happening at the Capitol in Lansing and Washington D.C., and so much more! Each episode features a special guest interview to share stories and provide additional insight on the latest industry happenings.
New episodes of What’s with the Pineapple? Will be delivered to you bi-monthly and are available to stream on Apple Podcasts, Blueberry, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
MRLA Member Moment: RedWater Finalizes Plans for Lake Bluff Grille Restaurant at Muskegon Country Club
RedWater purchased Muskegon Country Club in summer 2021 and has been working on plans to open a new public restaurant and renovate the event venue at its facilities. The new restaurant will be named Lake Bluff Grille after its location on the bluff overlooking Muskegon Lake. Both the new Lake Bluff Grille and renovated Muskegon Country Club event venue will have outstanding views of the golf course and views of Muskegon Lake from an expansive covered deck. RedWater will also be adding a state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator facility named LiveGolf Studios.
The menu at Lake Bluff Grille will offer New American style cuisine with a wide range of handcrafted appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. In addition to the major restaurant renovations, RedWater is upgrading the Muskegon Country Club event venue. The venue will seat around 150 people indoors and will have added space for weddings and other events on the new, covered deck. The deck will also serve as a space to host meetings and small events outside. A new reception courtyard area off the patio will provide even more outdoor space for events.
RedWater will be growing its LiveGolf Studios brand with the addition of state-of-the-art golf simulators in the restaurant and event venue area at Muskegon Country Club during the fall and winter months. The simulators will feature state-of-the art technology and will offer access to more than 100 golf courses, various challenge games, multiple practice ranges, and arcade games to provide fun for the whole family. LiveGolf Studios will be open to the public and the simulators will be available as an add-on service for private events.
The menu at Lake Bluff Grille will offer New American style cuisine with a wide range of handcrafted appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. In addition to the major restaurant renovations, RedWater is upgrading the Muskegon Country Club event venue. The venue will seat around 150 people indoors and will have added space for weddings and other events on the new, covered deck. The deck will also serve as a space to host meetings and small events outside. A new reception courtyard area off the patio will provide even more outdoor space for events.
RedWater will be growing its LiveGolf Studios brand with the addition of state-of-the-art golf simulators in the restaurant and event venue area at Muskegon Country Club during the fall and winter months. The simulators will feature state-of-the art technology and will offer access to more than 100 golf courses, various challenge games, multiple practice ranges, and arcade games to provide fun for the whole family. LiveGolf Studios will be open to the public and the simulators will be available as an add-on service for private events.
2022 Restaurant & Hotel State of the Industry Reports
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) released their second annual 2022 State of the Hotel Industry report which examines the high-level economics of the hotel industry’s recovery, changing business and consumer travel sentiments, and the role technology will play in meeting the needs of our guests now and in the future.
Key findings in the report include:
Key findings in the report include:
- Occupancy and room revenue will approach 2019 levels, but the outlook for ancillary revenue is less optimistic
- Hotels lost a collective $111.8 billion in room revenue from 2020-2021
- Business travel will remain down 20%
- 58% of meetings and events are expected to return this year
- Leisure travel has risen rapidly: 89% of business travelers globally say they want to add a personal holiday to a business trip in the next year
- These changing traveler segments will impact how hotels operate to meet travelers’ expectations
- In this environment, technology will be even more critical to a property’s success
The 2022 State of the Restaurant Industry report offers current data and identifies developing trends that are critical to the industry’s success in the coming year. The report shows how the pandemic is reshaping the industry’s sales, operations, workforce, menus and use of technology. It also details consumer preferences, and which trends are likely to stick.
Key findings in the report include:
Key findings in the report include:
- The foodservice industry is forecast to reach $898B in sales in 2022.
- The foodservice industry workforce is projected to grow by 400,000 jobs, for total industry employment of 14.9M by the end of 2022.
- More than half of restaurant operators said it would be a year or more before business conditions return to normal. Food, labor, and occupancy costs are expected to remain elevated, and continue to impact restaurant profit margins in 2022.
- 96% of operators experienced supply delays or shortages of key food or beverage items in 2021 – and these challenges will likely continue in 2022.
- 51% of adults say they aren’t eating at restaurants as often as they would like, which is an increase of 6 percentage points from before the pandemic.
Upcoming MRLA Events
Industry Insights: Forward Momentum
Monday, May 9
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Detroit Marriot Troy
It has been a brutal two years for the hospitality industry, but we don't need to repeat what operators already know and have been living through. As the weather warms up and we prepare to welcome another tourism season, join the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association and your hospitality industry peers for a day of educational sessions, networking, learning, lunch, and meeting with industry suppliers!
Monday, May 9
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Detroit Marriot Troy
It has been a brutal two years for the hospitality industry, but we don't need to repeat what operators already know and have been living through. As the weather warms up and we prepare to welcome another tourism season, join the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association and your hospitality industry peers for a day of educational sessions, networking, learning, lunch, and meeting with industry suppliers!
Clay Shoot PAC Fundraiser
Friday, May 13 at 2:00 p.m.
The MRLA Clay Shoot Political Action Committee (PAC) fundraiser is back for another year! Participate in the clay shoot at Hunter’s Creek Club - Michigan’s member-only premier sporting club - then enjoy a cocktail hour with dinner immediately following.
Ticket Pricing:
Friday, May 13 at 2:00 p.m.
The MRLA Clay Shoot Political Action Committee (PAC) fundraiser is back for another year! Participate in the clay shoot at Hunter’s Creek Club - Michigan’s member-only premier sporting club - then enjoy a cocktail hour with dinner immediately following.
Ticket Pricing:
- Individual Tickets: $250
- Foursome Tickets: $1000
PAC Golf Outing
Monday, June 13 at 10:00 a.m.
Timber Ridge Golf Course, East Lansing
Join the MRLA for a day on the golf course! Team up with your industry peers to tee up for a scramble-style outing at the beautiful Timber Ridge Golf Course. Enjoy lunch on the course, contests throughout, a chance to win fun prizes, and end the day with a reception.
Ticket Pricing:
By supporting the MRLA PAC by attending events, MRLA is able to continue to support you, your business, and your team by maintaining our VOICE at the Capitol. Sign up yourself or your foursome today!
Monday, June 13 at 10:00 a.m.
Timber Ridge Golf Course, East Lansing
Join the MRLA for a day on the golf course! Team up with your industry peers to tee up for a scramble-style outing at the beautiful Timber Ridge Golf Course. Enjoy lunch on the course, contests throughout, a chance to win fun prizes, and end the day with a reception.
Ticket Pricing:
- $250 per Golfer
- $1000 per Foursome
By supporting the MRLA PAC by attending events, MRLA is able to continue to support you, your business, and your team by maintaining our VOICE at the Capitol. Sign up yourself or your foursome today!
