The National Restaurant Association is a restaurant industry business association in the United States, representing more than 380,000 restaurant locations.[1] It also operates the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.[2] The association was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.[3]
The National Restaurant Association/NRAEF vision is: "We will lead America’s restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence, and participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve." The National Restaurant Association's mission is: "We exist to help our members - the cornerstone of their communities - build customer loyalty, rewarding careers and financial success." [4]
Dawn Sweeney is President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association[5]. The 2009-2010 Chairman of the Board is Michael Gibbons of Mainstreet Ventures.[6] Recent association chairs included Edward R. Tinsley of New Mexico, the franchisor of K-Bob's Steakhouse restaurant chain, who served from 2006-2007.[7]
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The National Restaurant Association develops food safety training and certification program for restaurant employees[8]. It also offers scholarships to foodservice and hospitality management and culinary students through NRAEF, and runs a national program for high school students.[9] The NRA is also a co-sponsors the Faces of Diversity; American Dream Awards.[10]
It runs an annual restaurant and hospitality industry trade show in the U.S. in Chicago and conducts research about the restaurant industry in the U.S.[11] It also helps restaurant owners increase their environmental sustainability efforts.[12]
The association works closely with its state restaurant and hospitality association partners and provides its members with tools and solutions to improve their business.[13] It also organizes conferences and networking events for its members. There are six membership categories: Restaurant, Allied, Faculty, Student, Nonprofit and International.[14]
The association lobbies for the restaurant and foodservice industry and represents the industry on Capitol Hill.[15] It was the largest food and beverage political action committee contributor to both the U.S. Democratic and Republican Parties in the 2004 election cycle.[16]