National Restaurant Association
Encyclopedia
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
industry business association in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, representing more than 380,000 restaurant locations. It also operates the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. The association was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
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."
Dawn Sweeney
Dawn Sweeney
Dawn Sweeney is the President & CEO of the largest trade group for the U.S. restaurant industry, the National Restaurant Association.She is a Maine native with a master of business administration degree from The George Washington University and a bachelor of arts degree in government from Colby...
is President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. The 2009-2010 Chairman of the Board is Michael Gibbons of Mainstreet Ventures. Recent association chairs included Edward R. Tinsley
Edward R. Tinsley
Edward Roy Tinsley, III , is an attorney, rancher, and businessman with interests in oil, natural gas, and restaurants who has twice failed in Republican bids for the United States House of Representatives from the 2nd congressional district of his adopted state of New Mexico...
of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, the franchisor of K-Bob's Steakhouse
K-Bob's Steakhouse
K-Bob’s Steakhouse is a regional restaurant chain that operates in the cattle country of Texas and New Mexico. Founded in 1966 in Clovis, New Mexico, by Gabe E. Parson , the company sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1989, and reopened in 1991 under the ownership and management of Edward Roy Tinsley...
restaurant chain, who served from 2006-2007.
Activities
The National Restaurant Association develops food safety training and certification program for restaurant employees. It also offers scholarships to foodservice and hospitality management and culinary students through NRAEF, and runs a national program for high school students. The NRA is also a co-sponsors the Faces of Diversity; American Dream Awards.It runs an annual restaurant and hospitality industry trade show in the U.S. in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and conducts research about the restaurant industry in the U.S. It also helps restaurant owners increase their environmental sustainability efforts.
The association works closely with its state restaurant and hospitality association partners and provides its members with tools and solutions to improve their business. It also organizes conferences and networking events for its members. There are six membership categories: Restaurant, Allied, Faculty, Student, Nonprofit and International.
The association lobbies for the restaurant and foodservice industry and represents the industry on Capitol Hill. It was the largest food and beverage political action committee
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
contributor to both the U.S. Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Parties in the 2004 election cycle.
Presidents
- Ransom M. CallicottRansom M. CallicottRansom M. Callicott was president of the National Restaurant Association, co-founder of Meals for Millions and a member of the Los Angeles, California, City Council from 1955 until his death...
, association president, 1949 - Herman CainHerman CainHerman Cain is a candidate for the 2012 U.S. Republican Party presidential nomination.Cain has a background as a business executive, syndicated columnist, and radio host from Georgia. He served as chairman and CEO of Godfather's Pizza from 1986 to 1996...
, President from 1996-1999. - Steven C. Anderson, President, 1999-2007(22 July 2007). NRA names Sweeney president, CEO, Nation's Restaurant News
- Dawn SweeneyDawn SweeneyDawn Sweeney is the President & CEO of the largest trade group for the U.S. restaurant industry, the National Restaurant Association.She is a Maine native with a master of business administration degree from The George Washington University and a bachelor of arts degree in government from Colby...
, President 2007-current