National Restaurant Association Pushes for Immigration Reform, Swipe Fee Cuts, and USMCA Renewal to Stabilize Industry
Event summary
- National Restaurant Association outlines three key policy priorities for 2026: immigration reform, passage of the Credit Card Competition Act, and favorable renewal of the USMCA.
- 55% of restaurant operators report negative impacts from recent immigration policy changes, including declines in sales and hiring challenges.
- Credit card processing fees have increased by an average of 9.4% over the past two years, squeezing operator margins.
- USMCA renewal is critical to maintaining affordable food supply chains for the restaurant industry.
The big picture
The National Restaurant Association's 2026 policy agenda targets critical cost and workforce challenges facing the industry. With 15.7 million employees and $3.5 trillion in annual economic impact, the association's priorities aim to stabilize an industry grappling with rising operational costs and labor shortages. The push for immigration reform, swipe fee reductions, and trade policy stability reflects broader trends in labor market dynamics and regulatory pressures impacting the restaurant sector.
What we're watching
- Immigration Reform
- How comprehensive immigration reform will affect restaurant workforce stability and hiring capabilities.
- Swipe Fee Legislation
- Whether the Credit Card Competition Act can pass and drive down processing fees, improving operator margins.
- Trade Policy Impact
- The pace at which USMCA renewal negotiations proceed and their effect on food supply costs.