For the fourth year in a row, the Michigan Restaurant Association experienced a steady growth in its membership. The MRA now represents 2,055 members and nearly 4,000 restaurants throughout the state.
We are also pleased to announce that more members then ever before are participating in MRA benefit programs. Our Self Insured Workers' Compensation Plan ended 2002 with 830 members. The savings in this fund resulted in over $1.1 million being returned to its participants. The MRA's new liquor liability insurance program has also meant substantial savings on insurance premiums for more than 200 members. The association has also recognized growth in its Blue Cross Blue Shield health care group plan and credit card processing program through ABN AMRO Merchant Services. The MRA understands how important benefits such as these are to its members and makes every attempt to provide quality, cost competitive programs.
In addition to the perks of lower price tags on benefit programs, the MRA also provided members with numerous education and training opportunities. In 2002, more than 300 students received training through the MRA's food safety course, ServSafe¨, and its Barcode¨ training class, which teaches restaurant employees how to serve alcohol safely and responsibly.
Because of its continued membership growth, the MRA not only increases its strength and ability to secure money saving benefits, but also becomes a stronger voice at the State Capitol. 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 services. A continued increase in membership means even greater political influence on issues affecting the pocketbooks of thousands of Michigan's restaurant owners and operators.l
For more information on programs and service benefits through the MRA, please contact the membership department at 800-968-9668, or at mirestaurant@acd.net.
