Quick Bites | March 2023
MRLA Names Three New Board Members
The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA), has announced the appointment of three new board members: David Jurcak of Mackinac’s Grand Hotel, Claude Molinari from the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Robert Song of Maru Hospitality Group. Each new member brings a unique perspective and desire to lead the organization and support its mission.

David Jurcak is President of Mackinac’s Grand Hotel, having been with Grand Hotel since September 2021. Working in the hospitality industry for more than 32 years, Jurcak started his career as a front desk agent. Over his career, he has worked in many cities and has overseen hotels in nearly every vertical in the industry, also having spent 24 years of his career with Omni Hotels & Resorts. He currently resides on Mackinac Island.

Claude Molinari has been President and CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DBA Visit Detroit) since 2021. In this role, Molinari is responsible for overseeing the operations of Visit Detroit and developing its strategic direction. In addition to overseeing the direction of Visit Detroit, Molinari also oversees the Detroit Sports Commission (a subsidiary of Visit Detroit), which is responsible for securing amateur sports for the region and bringing in regional, national and international sporting events. He currently resides in Northville.

Robert Song, a native of Chicago, studied dietetics at Michigan State University. He started Maru Hospitality Group in 2008, which currently operates six Maru Sushi & Grill locations throughout Michigan. Song left his career in pursuit of creating something he had been dreaming up for years. With extensive experience as a sushi chef and restaurant manager, his desire to do things differently drove him to leave his job, and to forge his own path. Song also serves as the master franchisee of Gong cha Michigan. He currently resides in Okemos.
Calling All SpeakHERS!
Calling all SpeakHERS! Are you an energetic individual or dynamic speaker with expertise and insights that can inspire and motivate women working in the hospitality industry? Apply today to speak at the second annual Women in Hospitality Leadership (WIHL) Conference in Grand Rapids! This year’s Conference will be held at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown on November 15, 2023. |
10 Tips to Make Outdoor Dining Pleasant and Profitable

As the days grow warmer, people enjoy getting outside more, especially at mealtime. Outdoor dining, in fact, was one way many restaurants survived during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using outdoor space for dining expands the number of customers you can serve, appealing to both those still concerned about the safety of dining indoors and those who just like to eat outdoors in pleasant weather. Here are 10 tips for setting up successful outdoor dining.

1. Get the proper permits. A huge number of municipalities issued temporary permitting processes for outdoor dining areas during the pandemic. Many of those are expiring, and while most cities are making the rules permanent, some have proposed new ordinances that would make it more difficult and expensive to get permits for those spaces when COVID-19-era rules expire.
2. Plan for all types of weather. As much as customers enjoy dining outside, few look forward to getting drenched in a cloudburst, baked under a hot sun, or chilled on a cold evening.
3. Invest in durable, weather-resistant outdoor furniture and equipment. Whatever you purchase should be able to withstand the elements, be easy to clean and wipe dry after a rainstorm, and be lightweight enough to move easily. Consider self-leveling technology for tables to adapt to uneven outdoor ground surfaces. Keep your seating arrangements and furniture flexible to accommodate different size parties.
4. Control pests. Follow the same strategies you use indoors, but be extra vigilant.
5. Add amenities such as trash receptacles and hand sanitizing stations to the space.
6. Design an effective layout. Seating arrangements should not only provide comfortable accommodations for guests, visual appeal, and optimal occupancy, but also allow for smooth work flow. Making it as easy for staff to navigate as it is comfortable for patrons will make for a better experience for all.
7. Use technology to help speed service. With servers that much farther away from the kitchen, any ways you can incorporate technology—handheld order entry and transaction devices, tablets or smart phones, QR codes, payment by digital wallet, etc.—will help staff provide better, more expedient service.
8. Set the mood with lighting. String lights are casual, fun and festive; tabletop candles or battery lamps are romantic and intimate; spot lighting can accentuate service areas such as the bar, hostess station, or door to interior restrooms. Customers will need enough light to read the menu.
9. Don’t disturb the neighbors. Being a good neighbor is important to your business. Even if amplified sound systems are permitted, keep the volume down, and keep noise to a minimum with planters and variable surfaces within the space.
10. Keep the outdoors out. With staff and guests constantly going in and out of your restaurant and outdoor dining area, it’s potentially easy for the elements and pests to make their way inside. Consider self-closing door hardware, two-way swing doors, or an air curtain over the door leading to your patio, sidewalk, or rooftop dining to keep the great outdoors where it belongs.
2. Plan for all types of weather. As much as customers enjoy dining outside, few look forward to getting drenched in a cloudburst, baked under a hot sun, or chilled on a cold evening.
3. Invest in durable, weather-resistant outdoor furniture and equipment. Whatever you purchase should be able to withstand the elements, be easy to clean and wipe dry after a rainstorm, and be lightweight enough to move easily. Consider self-leveling technology for tables to adapt to uneven outdoor ground surfaces. Keep your seating arrangements and furniture flexible to accommodate different size parties.
4. Control pests. Follow the same strategies you use indoors, but be extra vigilant.
5. Add amenities such as trash receptacles and hand sanitizing stations to the space.
6. Design an effective layout. Seating arrangements should not only provide comfortable accommodations for guests, visual appeal, and optimal occupancy, but also allow for smooth work flow. Making it as easy for staff to navigate as it is comfortable for patrons will make for a better experience for all.
7. Use technology to help speed service. With servers that much farther away from the kitchen, any ways you can incorporate technology—handheld order entry and transaction devices, tablets or smart phones, QR codes, payment by digital wallet, etc.—will help staff provide better, more expedient service.
8. Set the mood with lighting. String lights are casual, fun and festive; tabletop candles or battery lamps are romantic and intimate; spot lighting can accentuate service areas such as the bar, hostess station, or door to interior restrooms. Customers will need enough light to read the menu.
9. Don’t disturb the neighbors. Being a good neighbor is important to your business. Even if amplified sound systems are permitted, keep the volume down, and keep noise to a minimum with planters and variable surfaces within the space.
10. Keep the outdoors out. With staff and guests constantly going in and out of your restaurant and outdoor dining area, it’s potentially easy for the elements and pests to make their way inside. Consider self-closing door hardware, two-way swing doors, or an air curtain over the door leading to your patio, sidewalk, or rooftop dining to keep the great outdoors where it belongs.
Stars of the Industry Awards Nominations

The MRLA is searching for the state's Stars of the Industry to be honored at the Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner in November. We want to recognize the outstanding individuals who go above and beyond their roles to contribute to the positive image of our hospitality industry.
Does your restaurant, hotel or supporting business have an employee who stands out with exceptional leadership, creativity, and perseverance, and deserves to be recognized? Nominate them today as a Star of the Industry!
Does your restaurant, hotel or supporting business have an employee who stands out with exceptional leadership, creativity, and perseverance, and deserves to be recognized? Nominate them today as a Star of the Industry!