Common Cents Act Clears Congress, Delivering Key Victory for Restaurant Operators

Legislation provides certainty for consumers and business owners by addressing challenges created by penny phase out

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Last night, the Senate passed the Common Cents Act, sending the bill to President Trump for his signature. The vote follows months of advocacy by the National Restaurant Association to address concerns about impact the penny phaseout was having on consumers and business owners.

The Association worked closely with both houses of Congress on the bill that establishes a set of rounding principles for when exact change isn't available in a cash transaction and provides a safe harbor from liability for business owners who follow those principles. 

Finding a solution to the penny problem was particularly important to restaurant operators because more than a quarter of annual industry sales are made in cash.

"We appreciate Congress passing the Common Cents Act to address the issues restaurant operators have been working through since the penny shortage started," said Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association. "Now that penny production has come to an end, operators want to have confidence they are handling the transition in a way that works for their customers. The Common Cents Act provides clear principles and certainty, helping keep transactions simple and straightforward while allowing restaurants to focus on serving guests." 

The restaurant industry contributed more than $1.5 trillion to U.S. economy in 2025, or roughly 5% of nominal gross domestic product. When operators cannot provide exact change, it can create operational challenges, frustrate customers, and increase uncertainty for businesses already operating on thin margins.

"We appreciate the leadership of Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in getting this bill across the finish line," said Sean Kennedy, Chief Advocacy Officer of the National Restaurant Association. "Their bipartisan collaboration underscores their support of the restaurant and small business owners on Main Street that serve as cornerstones of their local economies."

Learn more about the economic contributions of the restaurant and foodservice industry here.

About the National Restaurant Association

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which is comprised of more than 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of more than 15.7 million employees. Together with 52 State Associations, we are a network of professional organizations dedicated to serving every restaurant through advocacy, education, and food safety. We sponsor the industry's largest trade show (National Restaurant Association Show); leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF's ProStart). For more information, visit Restaurant.org and find us on Twitter @WeRRestaurants

SOURCE National Restaurant Association