Winner – Industry Partner of the Year
The Law Offices of Charles Y. Hoff
Affiliated with Taylor, Busch, Slipakoff & Duma, LLP
Charles Y. Hoff, Esq., Managing Partner of Hospitality Practice
Charles Yale Hoff, General Counsel of the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) and the Green Foodservice Alliance (GFA), serves on the Executive Committee of the GRA Board of Directors and sits on the GFA Advisory Council. Prior to devoting his practice to hospitality law, Hoff served as Senior Vice President and International Counsel for Equifax Inc.
At The Law Offices of Charles Y. Hoff, affiliated with Taylor, Busch, Slipakoff & Duma, LLP Hoff has established one of the nation’s largest premier hospitality law practices offering full turnkey legal services to the restaurant industry – from alcohol licensing to franchising. In addition, Hoff operates a hospitality consulting business specializing in guiding restaurants in their growth and development, counseling national chains on pressing industry topics such as menu labeling regulations and compliance.  Hoff believes the restaurant industry has helped make Georgia a very attractive destination for tourists, conventions and commercial enterprises. Hoff says “Georgia’s national reputation is catching up with what people in the state have long known to be the reality: Georgia is one of the culinary leaders in the nation and is producing the most exciting and innovative restaurant concepts.” Hoff thinks there is an entrepreneurial spirit and vibrant commercial environment that has given rise to many of the nation’s largest and most successful chains that call Georgia home. Hoff feels the GRA, as the voice for the state’s restaurant industry, its vital interests and concerns are heard and understood by both the government and the public at large. Effective Political Advocacy, Professional Development/ Education, and the opportunity to network and learn from peers have been the foundation for the GRA’s success. In essence, the GRA provides an extensive “tool kit” to assist restaurants in their profitable growth and success.
When looking at legal-related matters, Hoff predicts several restaurant trends in 2009. Specifically, the dramatic increase in incidences of PCI internal security breaches giving rise to identification theft and fraud; the proliferation of inconsistent menu labeling regulations being imposed on the local level, the rise in local environmental and conservation regulations, troubling wage and hour claims/litigation and an increase in the efforts being made by the local governments to address immigration issues.
Hoff would like to be remembered as a member of the “supporting cast” of the GRA leadership assisting the state’s food service industry in its successful growth and development. He finds nothing more gratifying than to have assisted restaurants in being proactive in avoiding the legal pitfalls and unnecessary regulatory hardships that threaten the business. “To have played a role in helping some of Atlanta’s most successful restaurant chains receive funding and strong professional help to grow from one or two locations to become thriving chains and franchisors has been particularly rewarding,” stated Hoff.
Hoff says other than having a wonderful wife and two wonderful children, he is particularly proud of helping the state’s restaurant industry reunite under the umbrella of the GRA and assisting Ron Wolf and fellow GRA board members grow the organization.
Finalist – Industry Partner of the Year
Chris Coan, Gas South, Area Vice President and General Manager, Business and Government Markets
Gas South is one of Georgia’s leading natural gas
providers. Chris Coan joined the Gas South team in November 2006 having worked previously for General Electric, holding various leadership positions in sales and marketing in the energy industry serving utility and large industrial customers around the world. In his current role, Coan is responsible for all industrial and governmental customers with annual natural gas consumption greater than 30,000 therms.  Coan holds an MBA from the Goizueta School of Business at Emory University, and undergraduate degrees in Chemistry and Ceramics from the State University of New York and Georgia Institute of Technology respectively.
Two major trends he predicts for 2009 are a rise in the local casual dining and family restaurants, as well as, the rise in local produce and sustainable products. Coan thinks new fine dining restaurants and specialty restaurants will have a hard time gaining market share in 2009 as consumers tighten their belts. He adds “in this economy, controlling operating costs, including those associated with utilities like natural gas, will be very important. “ Coan thinks credit issues will continue to be a big challenge in 2009 predicting it will hit restaurant owners on two fronts. He emphasizes, “restaurant owners will find it much harder to find capital to support expansions or to stay afloat during slow times. In addition to tight credit, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in Georgia and regulations around data security for restaurants that accept credit cards will add additional costs and risks for owners as they work to stay compliant. ”
Coan notes the GRA has seen the interest in local and sustainable issues surfaced by various roundtables, committees, and partners and acted quickly to build the Green Foodservice Alliance. Coan believes the GFA is a great addition to the GRA and will have a big impact on helping its members learn and implement programs that promote environmentally friendly best practices.
Finalist – Industry Partner of the Year
Jason Howell, Royal Cup Coffee, Atlanta District Manager
Over the past 100 years, Royal Cup Coffee has grown from its small, hometown roots to become a major importer, roaster and distributor of premium coffees and teas. Serving customers in the food service, office and specialty coffee markets, Royal Cup now reaches markets throughout the United States, into Mexico and the Caribbean.
Jason Howell, Atlanta District Manager, has been with Royal Cup Coffee since 2004. His first job in the industry was as an oyster shucker/busboy at Palmer’s Seafood in Savannah, Georgia when he was 14-years-old.
He thinks his current position is the best job he’s ever held primarily because Royal Cup is a family owned and operated company with a commitment to producing the finest coffee and tea products available anywhere, and it has sensational customer service. He adds “the Smith family, who own Royal Cup, maintain a commitment to their employees, their families, numerous charitable and industry organizations (including the GRA), as well as their treasured customers. That level of commitment is part of the Royal Cup culture.”
Howell sees the most pressing challenges facing the restaurant industry today are the rising costs/prices in all categories, less discretionary income for consumers, and economic uncertainty. He thinks these factors will challenge those in the industry to be creative in terms of how items and services are marketed.
Howell’s advice for anyone starting out in the restaurant industry is to work hard, be a business partner, and give back to the community (both industry and people) that supports you financially. He attributes his success, especially during hard economic times, to his current company. Howell says that working for a company like Royal Cup whose uncompromising commitment to producing the highest quality products, providing sensational service to its customers, and overall great value, help keep demand high despite a sluggish economy. He realizes though that a lot of hard work, creativity, and a strong team are also extremely important.
