Foodservice establishments have a new law to follow in an effort to enhance the safety of diners across the state when it comes to allergens.

San Antonio's only Nestle Toll House Cafe is closing its doors for good because of financial blows delivered by the pandemic.

The Barn Door restaurant during dinner service in San Antonio on May 18, 2020. Credit: Christopher Lee for The Texas TribuneThe Texas House on Wednesday gave initial approval to legislation that would allow restaurants to sell alcohol to go beyond the coronavirus pandemic. AdHB 1024 was filed by Republican state Rep. Charlie Geren, a restaurant owner in Fort Worth, and co-authored by Democrats. His wife, Texas lobbyist Mindy Ellmer, has been paid for lobbying work by the Texas Restaurant Association, which is backing the legislation. According to the Texas Restaurant Association, 700,000 restaurant employees in Texas lost their jobs in the early days of the pandemic, and thousands of Texas restaurants have closed. Disclosure: Texas Restaurant Association has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

SAN ANTONIO – Papa John’s franchise owners in San Antonio donated 100,000 face masks to the San Antonio Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association on Friday. The group, Pizza Ventures of San Antonio, LLC, DBA Papa John’s Pizza, is comprised of 21 stores in San Antonio that employ 500 people. Clark Mandigo III, the president and COO of Pizza Venture of San Antonio, LLC, said the group wanted to help the community combat the pandemic. “During this time of crisis, we stand in support of the restaurant industry,” Mandigo said in a statement. We are grateful for community support from our fellow restaurateur Papa John’s for their generous contribution of supplies.”Restaurants that are still in need face masks can contact the TRA’s main office at 210-734-7663 or wtxevents@txrestaurant.org.

SAN ANTONIO – A recent survey from the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) revealed some somber news for the industry. The survey found that it’s costing more to run a restaurant right now even as most owners say they’re bringing in less money. While 80% of restaurant operators say their total dollar sales volume was down in August of 2020 compared to a year ago, 73% say operation costs are higher now than they were pre-pandemic. The biggest takeaways: - 71% of Texas operators say they don’t... Posted by Texas Restaurant Association on Wednesday, September 16, 2020And if the pandemic has been rough for restaurants, it’s been brutal for bars. (Businesses in a region where hospitalizations make up more than 15% of admissions must keep occupancy levels at 50% capacity.)

SAN ANTONIO – Back-and-forth bar and restaurant closures have led to a push for change from the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA). In June, Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order which forced Texas bars to close after a surge in COVID-19 cases. “I just had a huge food order come, and he gave us exactly three hours,” he said. The Texas Restaurant Association is showing support for businesses like Specia’s. Specia said Highlanders qualifies as a restaurant, but he is not sure if his business will return.