National Restaurant Association

National Restaurant Association

The National Restaurant Association was founded to serve the restaurant and foodservice industry, which it describes as the nation's second-largest private-sector employer. The association's headquarters are in Washington, DC, with additional offices in Chicago, Lansing, and Orlando. The association's activities span advocacy, research, workforce development, and certification. It publishes the annual State of the Restaurant Industry Report and operates ServSafe, a food-safety training and certification program widely used across US restaurants. The association also runs the ProStart program for high-school culinary education and the Restaurant Ready program for career readiness. It engages in lobbying on issues such as swipe fees, immigration reform, and utility disruption preparedness (per the association's website, 2026). The association maintains several structural arms: the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), a 501(c)(3) charitable entity focused on education and workforce development; and state restaurant association partners across all 50 states. In May 2026, the association publicly supported the Dignity Act of 2025, a bipartisan immigration reform bill. The association also celebrated the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in May 2026. The National Restaurant Association is structurally distinct as a trade association, not an investment entity. It does not manage capital or make direct investments. Its influence derives from its membership base, lobbying power, and educational programs rather than a balance sheet. Succession and governance follow standard nonprofit board structures, with leadership drawn from industry executives.