Food costs for restaurant operators have increased more than 40% in the past five years. President Trump’s decision to exempt Brazilian coffee and beef from tariffs is an important step toward stabilizing supply chains and reducing costs for small business owners. We appreciate this action and encourage continued efforts to bring down food prices for operators nationwide.
National Restaurant Association
Restaurants
Washington, DC 159,753 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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From high school students to military heroes, or apprentices to entrepreneurs — the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) empowers every step of the journey. Be the missing ingredient that keeps these stories cooking. Donate today: https://lnkd.in/gD9qEsDU
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The 2026 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast is here! 🍽️ This year’s report highlights the top menu trends shaping 2026—from global comfort foods and protein-forward dishes to cleaner recipes and innovative beverages. Get the insights you need to plan for the year ahead by downloading the report here: https://bit.ly/3CoSKnF
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More Americans are giving thanks without turning on the oven. 🦃 Whether it’s takeout turkey, family-style catering, or heat-and-serve meal bundles, restaurants are helping guests spend less time cooking and more time connecting. Off-premises dining continues to be a powerful driver for operators, offering: 🍽️ Convenience for busy families 📈 Increased sales opportunities through holiday bundles and pre-orders 🤝 A way to support local restaurants during the busiest season of the year This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for the restaurants offering comfort, convenience, and incredible food — however customers choose to celebrate.
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Stay informed. Maximize your savings. The National Restaurant Association has created an Operator Checklist to help restaurant owners take advantage of key tax reform opportunities — from full expensing and QBI deductions to family business planning and workforce tax credits. Use this resource to ensure your restaurant is set up to save money, stay compliant, and plan ahead. Access all tax reform resources here: https://bit.ly/4o3IjP1.
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Honoring those who served — and supporting their futures. 🇺🇸✨ We’re proud to celebrate the announcement of this year’s Hormel Heroes Scholarship recipients: Jazmen Wilkerson and Shawn Ruiz, two outstanding veterans pursuing careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Jazmen, a retired U.S. Navy Culinary Specialist First Class and senior at Morgan State University, is working toward launching an entertainment bus company blending food, travel, and events. Shawn, a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran and Hospitality Management major at American University, plans to earn his master’s in project management and lead global food & beverage operations. The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is honored to administer this scholarship program alongside Hormel Foods — which has awarded more than $27 million in scholarships since 1987 to help individuals build meaningful careers in our industry. Learn more: https://bit.ly/47WwTWe
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👋 Meet RObi, your friendly AI assistant from RestaurantOwner.com. RObi is designed to help independent restaurant owners connect with resources, training materials, and answers to questions within seconds. Chat with RObi to see what it can do for you at https://bit.ly/49N8sx6.
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Travel matters. For many restaurants, visitors make up a third — or more — of annual sales. But 2025 brought a decline in tourism spending that operators felt across the board. Dive into the full report to learn why a rebound is essential for 2026: https://bit.ly/4i0sRkv
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AI isn’t here to replace restaurant workers — it’s helping them work smarter. 🍽️ From easing labor shortages to improving scheduling, customer experience, and revenue insights, operators are already seeing the benefits of integrating AI into daily operations. Curious which tools are right for your restaurant and how to get started? Read our latest report to learn how AI can simplify operations and boost performance: https://bit.ly/43YKafQ
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The National Restaurant Association applauds President Trump’s Executive Order removing tariffs on certain food and agricultural products. This action delivers much-needed relief for restaurants and consumers, helping stabilize supply chains and ease cost pressures. We remain committed to working with the Administration to address remaining tariffs, including country-specific ones, to keep restaurant prices affordable and supply chains strong for businesses and diners alike. Read our full statement: bit.ly/4r3CLpy
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