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Industry Research, Statistics and Information | Events, Webinars and Conferences | Programs, Awards and Products

Industry research, statistics and information

Business and workforce

Restaurant Industry Forecast: annual report on economic, operational, consumer, workforce and state/regional outlook for the restaurant industry. E-mail Association staff for complimentary access for journalists.

Restaurant industry facts-at-a-glance: basic statistics about the restaurant industry from the Restaurant Industry Forecast.

State-by-state statistics: facts about the restaurant industry in each of the 50 states.

Restaurant Performance Index: monthly, comprehensive index that tracks the health of and outlook for the restaurant industry.

Economic commentary: the Association’s chief economist provides updates on aspects of the industry.

Restaurant TrendMapper: online source for up-to-date analysis of restaurant industry trends, including sales, employment, and food and menu prices. E-mail Association staff for complimentary access for journalists.

Conserve: Solutions for Sustainability: an initiative and Web site to provide restaurant operators of any size tips and resources on how to “go green” without hurting their business.

Food and nutrition

What’s Hot chef survey: an annual survey of members of the American Culinary Federation identifying current menu trends.

Food safety and nutrition: issues of key importance to restaurants.

Tips for how to eat smart when dining out: smart eating advice from the Association’s registered dietitian.

Food allergies: the Association and FAAN created a training guide on serving guests with food allergies.

HealthyDiningFinder.com: a Web site, produced in partnership with Healthy Dining, that allows consumers to search more than 55,000 participating restaurants for healthful menu items.

State restaurant associations: looking for state and local information? Contact our state restaurant association partners.

Public policy

Federal policy issues affecting restaurants: an overview of current public policy issues and why they are important to restaurants. For state issues, contact Association staff.

Restaurant Action Network: the Association’s network of grassroots activists.

Coalitions

Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC): a coalition of businesses, trade associations and other organizations working for comprehensive immigration reform.

H2B Coalition: a coalition of trade associations working to ensure access to short-term temporary workers during pear business periods.

Coalition for Responsible Nutrition Information (CRNI): a coalition of businesses, trade associations and other organizations supporting a national standard of nutrition disclosure in restaurants.

Merchant Payments Coalition: a coalition of trade associations working for a more competitive and transparent credit card fee system that better serves American consumers and merchants alike.

Coalition for a Democratic Workplace: a coalition of workers, employers, associations and organizations fighting to protect the right to a federally supervised private ballot when workers are deciding whether or not to join a union.

Events, webinars and conferences

National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show: the annual NRA Show is the largest industry trade show in the world, attracting 2,200 exhibitors and 71,500 attendees each year. Held at Chicago’s McCormick Place, it is the number-one place to trend-watch. NRA Show 2009 will be held May 16-19.

International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event: the annual IWSB is the industry’s only beverage alcohol venue exclusively focused on the restaurant and hospitality industry. IWSB 2009 will be held May 17-18 in conjunction with the NRA Show.

National Restaurant Association webinars: webinar series focusing on a variety of topics.

Programs, awards and products

America’s Restaurants: Serving Our Nation: a video tribute to what restaurants do for our country.

Restaurant Neighbor Award: annual program that recognizes philanthropic efforts by restaurants.

Faces of Diversity Awards: annual program that recognizes restaurant companies and industry professionals for diversity efforts and achieving the American Dream.

ServSafe®: the industry’s number-one food safety training and certification program, which is accepted by more local, state and federal authorities than any other food safety training program. More than 3 million restaurant industry professionals have been certified.

ProStart®: a career-building program for high school students who are interested in culinary arts and foodservice management.

ManageFirst Program: a program to train and educate future restaurant, hospitality and foodservice managers.

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation: NRAEF offers scholarships to students and educators, supporting the workforce of tomorrow.

Rapid Response Program: we set the record straight on unfair industry portrayals in the media and voice support for positive depictions.

SPIRIT Awards: recognizes excellence in industry workforce recruitment, hiring, retention, education and training.

National Food Safety Education Month: held each September, NFSEM highlights food safety issues.