Chris Holman welcomes back Jeff Lobdell, president and founder of Restaurant Partners Management, LLC, headquartered Grand Rapids,, MI.Watch Jeff and Chris discuss the state of the restaurant and hospitality sectors in 2024 and where things are headed from the perspective of his work and his role as chair of the National Restaurant Association, on the YouTube video shared below: 

As we found out in their first conversation, Jeff Lobdell, president and founder of Restaurant Partners, has been named chair of the National Restaurant Association for his 35 years of ownership and leadership in the hospitality industry.

What challenges are the restaurant industry facing as we enter 2024?

As a pioneer in the restaurant industry for the past 35 years, what do you think are the main things needed for a successful food business?

What can we expect from Restaurant Partners in 2024?

Follow up on the Hawaii Wildfire Relief – how much was donated? 

About the National Restaurant Association
Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises nearly 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 14.5 million employees. Together with 52 State Associations, we are a network of professional organizations dedicated to serving every restaurant through advocacy, education, and food safety. We sponsor the industry's largest trade show (National Restaurant Association Show); leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF's ProStart). For more information, visit Restaurant.org and find us on Twitter @WeRRestaurants, Facebook and YouTube.

About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s (NRAEF) mission of service to the public is dedicated to enhancing the industry’s training and education, career development and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to Attract, Empower and Advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice workforce. NRAEF programs include: ProStart® – a high-school career and technical education program; Restaurant Ready/HOPES – Partnering with community-based organizations to provide people with skills training and job opportunities; Military – helping military servicemen and women transition their skills to restaurant and foodservice careers; Scholarships – financial assistance for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice and hospitality degrees; and the Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center (RHLC) – accredited apprenticeship programs designed to build the careers of service professionals. For more information on the NRAEF, visit ChooseRestaurants.org. 

About Restaurant Partners
Restaurant Partners Management, LLC is Michigan’s leading restaurant group, owning and operating 21 independent restaurant brand in metro Grand Rapids area and Traverse City, as well as two beachfront hotels on East Grand Traverse Bay. A complete list of their brands can be found on their website, 4gr8food.com. 

# # #