Episode 53: Erika Polmar

Erika Polmar is the executive director of the Independent Restaurant Coalition.

“Remember when we were told the pandemic was expected to last 8 to 12 weeks?” she asks. "Well, it lasted much longer,” she says, adding, "and many independent operators are still recovering from the negative impact it had on their restaurant businesses.”

The Independent Restaurant Coalition soon formed in the midst of the pandemic. Since founded in 2020, its membership has swelled from a few hundred restaurant owners and operators to more than 150,000 today

In this episode of Corner Booth, Erika explains how she went from a volunteer to the association’s charter Executive Director. She covers the myriad issues the Coalition is addressing to help beleaguered restaurateurs.

“Most members are still financially stressed because only a third of all applicants received available government funding,” says Erika. “In addition to working through recent supply interruption, increased operating costs, and a tight labor market, many coalition members seem to need direction and assistance.”

In this episode, you’ll learn how the association is working to educate its members on the industry’s changing compensation and benefits requirements, as well as working with insurance companies to offer more and better programs for the small restaurant operator. Erika feels the virtual panel discussions offered to IRC members helps them share their knowledge with their industry peers.

As you would expect, a great deal of the association’s efforts are educating legislators and policymakers. “We have immigration policies and farm bills facing the legislature to work on,” says Erika. “We must continue to educate policymakers about the tight margins and other operating challenges facing today’s independent restaurant operator.”