Member Testimonials

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"I have a hard time understanding any member’s reluctance to get involved in RIHA’s energy purchasing program. I saved close to $20,000 on gas alone last year. This year will represent the second year that I have expanded my purchases with the group to include electricity and I anticipate significant savings in this area as well. Beware of unscrupulous vendors offering you savings that seem too good to be true…they usually are! Why not trust the association to do the work of sorting out the options and identifying the ones that are legitimate and will save us money… you are a member of the association because you recognize the work they do to keep our industry alive and well. Here is an opportunity to make that membership pay dividends to your business."

Robert Bacon, Owner
Gregg’s Restaurants and Pubs

"RIHA has been great to work with. It was very easy to get started with all of the programs that they offer. For 2010, I have saved 20% on my Workmen's Comp Insurance, several hundred dollars per month in credit card fees, and thousands of dollars on my gas and electric purchases. The informative newsletters are very helpful for keeping current with changes in laws and the Hospitality Industry in general. The small annual fee is well worth it. RIHA membership is a must have for me."

Stephen Ricard, Owner
Uncle Tony's Pizza & Pasta, East Providence

"I have a hard time understanding any member’s reluctance to get involved in RIHA’s energy purchasing program. I saved close to $20,000 on gas alone last year. This year will represent the second year that I have expanded my purchases with the group to include electricity and I anticipate significant savings in this area as well. Beware of unscrupulous vendors offering you savings that seem too good to be true…they usually are! Why not trust the association to do the work of sorting out the options and identifying the ones that are legitimate and will save us money… you are a member of the association because you recognize the work they do to keep our industry alive and well. Here is an opportunity to make that membership pay dividends to your business."

Robert Bacon, Owner
Gregg’s Restaurants and Pubs
Member Since 2004

"RIHA has been great to work with. It was very easy to get started with all of the programs that they offer. For 2010, I have saved 20% on my Workmen's Comp Insurance, several hundred dollars per month in credit card fees, and thousands of dollars on my gas and electric purchases. The informative newsletters are very helpful for keeping current with changes in laws and the Hospitality Industry in general. The small annual fee is well worth it. RIHA membership is a must have for me."

Stephen Ricard, Owner
Uncle Tony's Pizza & Pasta, East Providence
Member Since 2009

When asked what inspired him to become such an active participant in RI Hospitality Association’s efforts to lobby against the recent proposed State budget to increase meals tax to 10%, Brad Cherevaty stated that it was a “no brainer. Saving 2% by fighting the meals tax proposal gives businesses the opportunity to give back that much more.” Brad’s voice represented the industry when he testified at the State House. “Many of us are just small, independent owners who don’t have time to get involved. I’m lucky that I have a partner so that I could go up (to the State House) when needed.” But Brad’s efforts didn’t stop there. He also collected hundreds of signatures as part of the petition organized by the RI Hospitality Association. In addition, a “10% Is 2 Much” banner was prominently displayed on The Fifth Element during St. Patrick’s Day weekend providing much visibility as the restaurant is situated on the parade route.

Brad, owner of The Fifth Element in Newport, Rhode Island was raised in a family that was in the equipment manufacturing side of the foodservice industry, so he grew up with an insider’s view of restaurants and their operations..

At a young age, he ambitiously started bartending in 1988 and turned it into a full time job in 1995. Bewildered by the common notion that our industry is filled with “in the meantime” jobs, Brad didn’t stop there. His career lead him to Christie’s of Newport where he met fellow bartender and now business partner, Frank Doyle. They became first-time business owners in 2004 when The Fifth Element Bar Meets Grill opened its doors on Thames Street in Newport. In 2009, they closed the Thames Street location and re-opened at their new location on Newport’s up and coming Broadway on December 30, 2010.

In addition to owning and operating The Fifth Element, Brad represents the Hospitality and Tourism Industry as a member of Newport’s Economic Advisory Workgroup where he ensured that the Hospitality Industry is listed in official documents as a major supporter of Aquidneck Island’s three major economic drivers: The Navy Base, Sailing & Salve Regina University. Brad also sits on the board of the Newport Chamber of Commerce.

According to Brad, the key to success is “believing in getting involved.” He actively gives to charity and believes that you should give as much as you take. He sums it up by explaining what he refers to as the “rotating $20.” He shared with me a story of how he and another local bartender have marked a $20.00 bill with an “X”. Each time they are each other’s customer, they tip one another with the same bill. It’s a symbol of Brad’s deep rooted belief that if he is earning money in his community, it’s important that he also spend money there. In this way, he is actively ensuring that he is doing his part to economically support the community in which he lives and works.

Brad recalls Len Panaggio of Newport Harbor Corporation stating at a recent RIHA event that “if we were all one business, under one roof, we’d get everyone’s attention.” Although it takes more than just one business to drive our industry, Brad reminds his peers that “You’re not alone. There are organizations out there to help you. All you need to do is be informed that it’s out there and be willing to ask how you can get involved or utilize its services. Many of these organizations, such as the RI Hospitality Association or the local chambers of commerce are available to you at little cost…just a small annual membership commitment.” Our ability, as a united association of hospitality and tourism related businesses, to successfully shut down the 2% meals and beverage tax increase is shining example of Brad’s message.

Brad Cherevaty, Owner
The Fifth Element, Newport

"As a CPA I get to interact with many clients in the hospitality industry and I’m constantly reminded of the trust that members have in the RI Hospitality Association to provide assistance with everything from new sales tax rules to help finding a special product or service."

Norman LeBlanc, CPA
Kahn, Litwin, Renza, & Co., Ltd.
Member Since 2006

"The Allied Group has provided my company with great networking opportunities to meet other professionals in the industry. It has proven to be a highly beneficial marketing tool, and, with the affordable membership fee, a real value for my business."

Rick Lataille, President
WRIK Entertainment
Member Since 2007