National Restaurant Association

National Restaurant Association

National Restaurant Association was founded in 1919. It leads when it comes to the business association for the restaurant industry, which is estimated to compromise of more than 1 million foodservice outlets and restaurants with a total workforce of 14.4 million employees. It is well represented by the NRA in Washington, D.C, and advocates for the association. The association, in conjunction with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, has aimed at representing, educating, and promoting a fast-growing industry.

The food industry has been a dominant force in the hospitality industry for decades. Studies show that it represents an essential proportion of the economy, with the restaurant industry being an approximate $80 billion industry. 50% of the average household food budget is spent on restaurants. The foodservice industry has also been a significant employer. The recent events have had a high impact on the food industry with the emergence of the COVID-19 virus. Amidst the pandemic, the food industry has lost nearly two-thirds of restaurant employees due to the shutdown of most countries.

The National Restaurant Association has allocated a temporary $240 billion recovery fund for the re-emergence of restaurants and foodservice industry, which will offer grants to:

Support debt obligations and the ongoing operating expenses from the closures of government mandates, rehire employees and retain them, and provide the necessary lifeline to reopen and readjust to the new life of increased distancing and more tightened and strict health and safety standards. This will help the critical industry that employs a large portion of the nation’s workforce, which has suffered the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.