National Restaurant Association: New Congress Has a Clear Opportunity to Deliver for America's Restaurants

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Nov 04, 2026, 08:00 ET

Immigration reform, Credit Card Competition Act, and trade remain priorities for industry stability and growth

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As the makeup of the 120th Congress comes into focus, the National Restaurant Association is looking ahead to the opportunities the lawmakers will have to support one of the nation's most important economic drivers. With 15.7 million employees in nearly 1 million locations, restaurants are the nation's second-largest private employer. The Association is ready to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to make it easier to open, run and grow a restaurant.

"Restaurants are at the intersection of the nation's affordability conversation, managing increasing costs and decreasing margins as their customers scrutinize every dollar they spend," said Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association. "The months ahead will be an opportunity for federal policy to make a true difference on both sides of the counter. By prioritizing comprehensive immigration reform, passage of the Credit Card Competition Act, and tariff-less trade for food and beverage items, Congress can tackle affordability for consumers while delivering the relief restaurants need to serve their communities."

Affordability goes beyond the menu

Affordability was a defining issue this election cycle, and restaurants are at the center of it. For guests, a meal out is one of the everyday experiences they weigh against their budgets. For owners, the cost of staying open has climbed. Forty-two percent of restaurant operators were not profitable in 2025, and customer traffic has softened as guests watch their spending closely.

Operators have worked hard to protect value for their guests, often absorbing higher costs instead of passing them along. Lowering what restaurant operators pay to accept a credit card, keep food costs down, and staff their teams helps keep dining out within reach for families. It also helps owners keep their doors open, hire locally, and reinvest in their communities.

Priorities for the 120th Congress

The Association's agenda focuses on three priority issues that directly affect restaurant costs and stability:

Immigration reform that helps restaurants find, hire and keep the workers they need to serve guests and grow.
The Credit Card Competition Act, which would bring competition to credit card processing and help lower swipe fees, which for many operators is their third-highest cost behind food and labor.
Stable, predictable trade policy that helps keep food and supply costs manageable for restaurants and their guests.

The Association will also pursue policies that lower costs for consumers and operators, grow and advance the restaurant workforce, and strengthen the industry's economic impact.

"The decisions made in Washington reach down into every community and every restaurant," said Sean Kennedy, Chief Advocacy Officer at the National Restaurant Association. "Restaurants are the country's second-largest private employer and drove more than 5% of GDP in 2025. Our priorities for the new Congress are about making restaurants more affordable to run and more affordable to visit. When restaurants can invest and grow, the benefits extend far beyond our industry. Strong restaurants mean more jobs, stronger local economies, vibrant communities, and greater affordability for the people we serve."

The Association's recent record shows what bipartisan progress can look like for restaurants. This year, Congress passed the Common Cents Act, which gave operators clear federal guidance for cash rounding and safe harbor protections as the penny is phased out. The win followed months of work by the Association to spotlight the issue and advance a commonsense solution.

Learn more about the Association's policy agenda here.

About the National Restaurant Association

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises more than 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 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 @WeRRestaurants on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.