The Michigan Restaurant Association ended 2001 with 2,017 company members, representing nearly 4,000 restaurants throughout the State. We would like to again welcome our 548 new members who joined the association in 2001, and to thank our 1469 renewing members. Because of you, 2001 was a record year for the MRA in terms of membership and program growth.

Our programs enjoyed increased participation from the membership. The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Fund, which provides affordable workers? compensation coverage, ended the year with 780 members and returned 1.3 million dollars to its participants.

We also recognized growth in our credit card processing program offered through ABN AMRO Merchant Services, and our Blue Cross Blue Shield health care group plan. The MRA understands how important member benefits such as these are to our members and makes every attempt to ensure that we offer quality, cost competitive programs.

As a direct result of our growth in membership, the association had a successful year legislatively. The MRA is the only statewide trade association in Michigan representing the foodservice industry on critical issues such as food safety, sanitation, and alcoholic beverage service. We recently have:

• Enacted legislation eliminating the sales tax on meals given to your employees;
• Enacted legislation requiring the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to create an online ordering system for spirits; and
• Enacted legislation restoring the SBT deductibility of royalty and franchise fees paid by a franchisee to a franchisor.