National Restaurant Association

The National Restaurant Association is the world's largest foodservice trade association, representing and advocating on behalf of the U.S. restaurant and foodservice industry. Established in 1919 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with an additional office in Chicago, its core mission is to create value for the foodservice industry and its membership through comprehensive research, robust advocacy, and extensive educational initiatives.

The Association offers a wide array of services, including federal and state-level advocacy on critical industry issues such as minimum wage, paid sick leave, food safety, alcohol licensing, tax policy, and sustainability. It conducts significant research and economic analysis, exemplified by its "State of the Restaurant Industry Report." Educational and training programs are central to its offerings, including ServSafe for food safety and alcohol service certification, ProStart for high school culinary and management students, Restaurant Ready, and ManageFirst. The Association also organizes major industry events, such as the annual National Restaurant Association Show. It represents over 380,000 restaurant locations and 1 million foodservice outlets, ranging from independent establishments to large national chains.

Michelle Korsmo serves as the President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association. In January 2026, Mike Axiotis was appointed as the Chair of the Board of Directors. The Association maintains its position as a powerful lobbying force in Washington, D.C., actively shaping policy and promoting the interests of the restaurant industry as a significant economic driver and community cornerstone.