The California State Board of Equalization has launched a new online sales and use tax guide for restaurant owners to assist operators in navigating the state’s maze of tax issues.The interactive website provides both general and specific information, and includes links to forms, specific articles regarding laws and permits, and schedules for training seminars around…

The National Restaurant Association has added two former Capitol Hill staffers to its policy and government affairs department. Laura Abshire has been named director of sustainability policy and government affairs. She’ll lead initiatives on energy and environmental policy and lend support to the NRA’s Conserve initiative. Ryan Kearney has been named labor and workforce policy…

Eric Norman, FCSI, Vice President, MVP Services Group, Dubuque, Iowa

Dan Farmer, Strategic Director of Business Development, Fixxbook, Inc., Albertson, N.Y.

Chris Folz, Principal, The Redstone Group, Englewood, Colo.

Brad Pierce, President, Restaurant Equipment World, Inc., Orlando, Fla.

Ryan DeSimone, Equipment Project Manager, Bloomin’ Brands, Inc., Tampa, Fla.

Steve Cerullo, Foodservice Director, Geisinger Health System, Danville, Pa.

A smaller kitchen, new work flow and equipment upgrades/additions let Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q serve ‘pit to plate.’