National Restaurant Association

National Restaurant Association

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) is the largest foodservice trade association in the world*—supporting nearly 500,000 restaurant businesses. In partnership with state restaurant associations (SRA), the NRA has more than 750 staffers working to empower all restaurant owners and operators to achieve more than they thought possible.

The NRA represents and advocates for foodservice industry interests with state, local and national policymakers—taking on financial and regulatory obstacles before they hit our members’ bottom line. They provide tools and systems that help members of all sizes get significantly better operating results. And they offer the kinds of networking, education and research resources that are only possible because of our vast, and active, membership base.

The NRA saves their members time, money and headaches by helping them take on what matters most for their success and growth—whether that’s protecting their economic interests, sharing best practices, or getting them in front of emerging trends.

The NRA strives to move their industry forward by finding answers to the tough questions, distilling complex information into practical knowledge and helping their members navigate the issues that can leave them in the weeds. And that makes us the go-to resource for smart, relevant intelligence that helps our members run their businesses better.

At the NRA, they believe that there is strength in numbers. When they come together as an industry, their collective voice is stronger and their impact is greater than when any of them stands alone. And that means their shared spirit of hospitality, passion for serving others and belief in the American entrepreneurial dream will be safeguarded and advanced.

International Franchise Association

Since its inception in 1960, the International Franchise Association has represented and protected the interests of the franchise community as well as the American entrepreneurial spirit. By joining a franchise system, people enjoy the benefits of going into business for themselves without many of the risks of doing it by themselves. Membership in the IFA is for franchise professionals who are committed to excellence and who adhere to IFA’s Code of Ethics.

The AAFD

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) came into existence to provide a counter balance in the franchising industry.  The AAFD acts to educate the public regarding fair franchise practices, quality franchise opportunities, and to expose the unethical practices that have too long existed in the franchising community. The AAFD believes balance can be achieved through a process of education combined with the encouragement and support for trademark specific franchisee associations seeking to achieve Total Quality Franchise Relationships.