Every great meal has a secret ingredient – the hardworking people who make it and serve it. Happy #LaborDay! 🇺🇸 Today, we celebrate those who power our nation’s restaurants. From the kitchen to the front of house, your dedication and creativity are what make dining out special for everyone!
National Restaurant Association
Restaurants
Washington, DC 157,518 followers
To serve the restaurant industry and impact its success
About us
At the National Restaurant Association, we strive to help every one of our members build customer loyalty, find financial success and provide rewarding careers in foodservice. Today's restaurant industry is growing rapidly. As the nation's second-largest private sector employer, more than 15 million people work in the industry across 1 million locations. The industry is projected to contribute nearly $863 billion to the economy for 2019. Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America’s restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence and participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve. The annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals in the world. The 2020 Show will be held May 16-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The event attracts attendees and visitors from all 50 states and 100+ countries, and showcases more products, services, innovative ideas and other growth opportunities than any other industry event. For more information, visit the Show website at https://www.nationalrestaurantshow.com/. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We strongly encourage women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans to apply for our job openings. This commitment supports our policy of developing and capitalizing on the abilities of all our team members, as well as selecting, developing and promoting those who are best qualified
- Website
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http://www.restaurant.org
External link for National Restaurant Association
- Industry
- Restaurants
- Company size
- 201-500 employees
- Headquarters
- Washington, DC
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1919
- Specialties
- Innovation, leading business association, restaurants, foodservice, retail, lodging, government relations, and marketing
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
2055 L Street, NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036, US
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Get directions
233 S Wacker
Suite 3600
Chicago, IL 60606, US
Employees at National Restaurant Association
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Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D.
CEO | National Spokesperson | Bipartisan Policy Leader | Champion for Restaurants, Workforce & Women in Leadership
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Mia A.
Development | Partnerships | Philanthropy | Sponsorship | Operations | Marketing | Communications
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Kim Lewis
Chief Marketing Officer
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Trina Haley McMillan, MBA
Updates
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National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is celebrating #WorkforceDevelopmentMonth with a Workforce Webinar series! 🍴 First up: Building Career Pathways in the Restaurant Industry on Sept. 3. The restaurant industry is the nation’s second-largest private-sector employer, supporting over 15.7 million careers. Join in to explore the opportunities it creates and discover how NRAEF’s new tool, RestaurantsWork, is helping people shape careers that fit their goals: https://bit.ly/41mNFeW
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It’s National Eat Outside Day ☀️🍴— and the appetite for off-premises dining is only growing. Takeout, delivery, and drive-thru are shaping the future of dining, with consumer demand at an all-time high! Our Off-Premises Restaurant Trends Report reveals how restaurants can adapt and thrive in this evolving landscape. Download here: https://bit.ly/4kX1HeG
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#ICYMI – Key updates for restaurant operators this week: 🤝 U.S.-EU Trade Framework Announced — The U.S. and EU released a joint statement outlining the Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade, setting the stage for future trade negotiations and clarifying tariff applications on key sectors: https://bit.ly/4lPJ5Nq 🇮🇳 U.S. Tariffs on Imports from India to Double — Starting Aug. 27, U.S. tariffs on goods from India will increase to 50%, citing security concerns. Key imports like spices and seafood may be affected, with implications for restaurants and food suppliers: https://bloom.bg/46bgM7A 🏥 HHS Launches MAHA in Action — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled a new interactive platform showcasing federal and state efforts under the Make America Healthy Again agenda. Explore reforms impacting food, health, and public safety systems: https://bit.ly/46bgEoC ⚖️ Early Bird Deadline for Restaurant Legal Summit — Save on registration for the Restaurant Legal Summit. Gain insights on emerging legal challenges, earn CLE, HRCI, and SHRM credits, and network with industry leaders. Register by Sept. 5 for early bird pricing: https://bit.ly/47laB1Q
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The restaurant industry faces major economic headwinds, but the new tax bill is delivering meaningful relief. In the latest Voice of Family Business on Capitol Hill podcast, Family Enterprise USA President Pat Soldano sits down with Association President & CEO Michelle Korsmo to discuss how the #OBBB supports restaurant owners and their employees. Key takeaways: 🍽️ “No tax on tips” and “no tax on overtime” – deductions for millions of servers and hourly employees 🏠 Expanded estate tax relief, equipment expensing, and succession planning support 🤝 Strengthened restaurants to remain pillars of opportunity in their communities Hear their full conversation on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4mB6R0R
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Did you know? Labor costs are rising for restaurants. According to the newly released 2025 Restaurant Operations Data Abstract, salaries and wages (including benefits) represented: - 36.5% of sales for fullservice operators - 31.7% of sales for limited-service operators That’s significantly higher than previous years—and just one of many insights in this year’s report. From labor to food, occupancy, utilities, and beyond, the Abstract gives restaurant operators the data they need to benchmark performance, spot cost challenges, and sharpen their financial strategy. Get the full picture: https://bit.ly/4paNI7U
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They’re messy, sneaky, and dangerous–and they’re more common than you think. Next week kicks off National Food Safety Month 2025, and this year, we’re coming for Food Safety’s Most Wanted. Each week, you’ll get tools and tips to help you identify and prevent the most common health code violations in restaurants. Join the mailing list now before Week 1 lands: 📬 https://bit.ly/45PHAcd #NFSM2025 #FoodSafetyMonth
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As the nation’s second-largest private sector employer, supporting 15.7M+ jobs in communities across America, the restaurant industry powers opportunity! 🍽️ Join the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) on Sept. 3 at 2 PM ET for the first of four webinars to explore career pathways and discover how the new RestaurantsWork tool helps individuals connect with opportunities nationwide. Register here: https://bit.ly/4mCyGpO
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Insights that matter, connections that last. Join us Oct. 15–16 in Orlando for the Supply Chain Expert Exchange Fall Conference. Two days of sessions designed to address both strategic and daily supply chain challenges, including procurement, logistics, and regulatory considerations. Connect with peers, learn from experts, and gain insights you can apply immediately. Register today. https://bit.ly/4fCHuJD
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