New York State Restaurant Association

What New York State Restaurant Association does

The New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1935 and headquartered in Albany, New York, representing more than 56,000 restaurants, bars, and clubs statewide that collectively employ over 490,000 people. The association operates a horizontal membership model with annual dues structured across nine sales-volume tiers (sub-$1M to $15M+), supplemented by allied memberships for suppliers and service providers, and generates ancillary revenue through endorsed-provider partnerships and event sponsorship.

Its core product portfolio combines advocacy representation with a stack of member-benefit programs. The flagship economic offering is Safety Group 505, a workers' compensation program that has paid dividends for 38 consecutive years totaling over $100.5 million, delivering 40-45% average annual savings and a 35% dividend for 2024. Members also receive a 15% ServSafe training discount, Prime Source Purchasing rebates averaging $350 per year, a 401(k) Retirement Plan Exchange via TAG & Transamerica, free LossIQ safety courses, RestaurantOwner.com discounts, and Soundtrack music licensing savings. Workforce development is delivered through ProStart (a two-year high school culinary and management program also serving Vermont) and Restaurant Ready (an opportunity-youth program). Education is supported by an on-demand webinar library spanning compliance, finance, legal, operations, marketing, and restaurant technology.

Distribution and engagement are driven by a 9-chapter regional network plus a dedicated NYC chapter, with a senior vice president overseeing NYC operations, the Emerging Leaders Council, and monthly Hospitality Leadership Roundtables. The annual New York Restaurant Show (33rd year in 2026) anchors the events business and was named to Trade Show Executive Magazine's Fastest 50 Growing Trade Shows. NYSRA is affiliated with the National Restaurant Association for federal advocacy and maintains a 17-person leadership team, with 251-500 total employees. The association does not operate a unified software platform; member-facing technology is delivered through a GrowthZone association management system, individual endorsed-provider integrations, and webinar/event tools.

Name

New York State Restaurant Association

Legal name

New York State Restaurant Association

Website

https://nysra.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The New York State Restaurant Association is a 90-year-old Albany-headquartered trade association representing 56,000+ restaurants, bars, and clubs statewide. It delivers advocacy, Safety Group 505 workers' compensation, ServSafe training, workforce development, and member savings programs through nine regional chapters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Albany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from restaurant operators and allied members. Membership investment varies based on volume of sales and tier level (Standard, Enhanced, Gold Key, Premium).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The New York State Restaurant Association is a membership-based trade association founded in 1935, serving more than 56,000 restaurants, bars, and clubs across New York State. It sells annual memberships that bundle advocacy representation, cost-saving programs (notably Safety Group 505 workers' compensation), ServSafe food-safety training, workforce development, networking events, and discounted partner services for restaurant operators and allied members.

Product overview

New York State Restaurant Association operates as a membership-based trade association offering a comprehensive suite of services for restaurant and hospitality operators. The core offering centers on membership providing advocacy representation, savings programs, education, and networking. The product portfolio includes workers' compensation through Safety Group 505, ServSafe training programs, workforce development (ProStart, Restaurant Ready), retirement planning, safety courses (LossIQ), music streaming (Soundtrack), business resources (RestaurantOwner.com), purchasing rebates (Prime Source), immigration resources, webinars, and awards programs (RISE Awards). Additional local offerings include NYC Hospitality Leadership Roundtables and the Emerging Leaders Council. The association does not appear to operate a unified software platform but rather provides member benefits, discounts, and resources through various partnerships and programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RISE Awards: Restaurant Industry Spotlight on Excellence awards program

Products and services

• NYSRA Membership Core annual membership offering providing advocacy representation at the state and federal levels, access to savings programs (Safety Group 505, Prime Source, ServSafe discounts), education and training resources, networking through nine regional chapters plus NYC Chapter, and member discounts on endorsed partner services. Available in tiered pricing (Standard, Enhanced, Gold Key, Premium) with membership dues tied to restaurant annual sales volume.
• Safety Group 505 Workers' Compensation

Quantifiable outcome

• Members have received dividends for 38 consecutive years totaling over $100.5 million from Safety Group 505 workers' comp program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Branded Hospitality PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2026Multi-faceted partnership for the 2026 New York Restaurant Show including Women's Leadership Panel, live podcast recording reaching 100,000+ monthly listeners, and networking event for local restaurant operators.
• National Restaurant AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYSRA is a proud partner of the National Restaurant Association, representing the NY hospitality industry at the national level.
• Jackson Lewis Law FirmcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEndorsed legal partner providing compliance resources, immigration guidance, and employer rights information for members.
• LossIQminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFree safety course access for members through LossIQ's interactive learning platform, helping prevent restaurant accidents and lower insurance costs.
• TAG & TransamericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership providing NYSRA 401(K) Retirement Plan Exchange - a complete, cost-effective retirement solution for member employers.
• RestaurantOwner.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers receive 15% off monthly plans and 30% off annual plans for restaurant management resources covering systems, staffing, and guest experience.
• Soundtrack (by licensing provider)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic streaming service for business with PRO licenses. Members receive 10% discount plus additional services discounts.
• Prime Source PurchasingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers save average $350/year through manufacturer rebates on nationally branded products. No upfront fees, no minimum purchase required, quarterly payments.
• Reform AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Restaurant Ready NYC program at Odyssey House/Edgecombe location.
• SpotOnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology partner offering point-of-sale and payment solutions with member discounts.
• SquareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPoint-of-sale technology partner for restaurant payments and operations.
• Uber EatsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDelivery platform partner for restaurant operations.
• Le CreusetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium cookware partner offering member benefits.
• Citrin CoopermanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium allied member providing financial services and restaurant/hospitality practice expertise.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Restaurant Association: The umbrella U.S. trade association for the restaurant industry and NYSRA's stated national affiliate. Comparable as the parent-level trade body providing advocacy, training (ServSafe), and the National Restaurant Show, while NYSRA operates as the state-chartered counterpart.
• American Hotel & Lodging Association: National trade association representing the broader hospitality/lodging industry. Comparable to NYSRA in association model (advocacy, education, member services) though serving the lodging vertical rather than restaurants.

Direct peers

• California Restaurant Association: Largest state restaurant trade association in the U.S. with a similar mission of advocacy, member savings, and education for operators. Directly comparable in scale, structure, and program mix to NYSRA.
• Texas Restaurant Association: State-level restaurant trade association serving Texas operators with advocacy, training, and member programs. Operates as a direct peer to NYSRA in mission, governance model, and program portfolio.
• Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association: State hospitality trade association combining restaurants and lodging operators with advocacy and education programs. Directly comparable peer in scale and mission to NYSRA, with adjacent scope into lodging.
• Illinois Restaurant Association: State trade association representing Illinois restaurant operators through advocacy, training, and member services. Functions as a near-identical peer to NYSRA in scope and program structure.
• Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association: Mid-Atlantic hospitality trade association combining restaurant and lodging advocacy. Comparable peer to NYSRA in representing operator members in a large state legislature.
• Massachusetts Restaurant Association: Northeast state restaurant trade association focused on advocacy, education, and member savings for Massachusetts operators. Direct peer in regional scope and operator-focused mission.

Regional players

• New Jersey Restaurant Association: Adjacent Northeast state trade association serving New Jersey restaurant operators. Comparable peer in regional advocacy and member-services model, though operating in a smaller, adjacent market to NYSRA.

Emerging players

• Independent Restaurant Coalition: National advocacy organization formed during COVID-19 to represent independent restaurants. Comparable to NYSRA in serving independent operators and engaging in policy advocacy, though narrower in scope and lacking NYSRA's training and insurance programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NYSRA
• Facebookfacebook.com/nysrestaurantassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-york-state-restaurant-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/nys_restaurant_association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New York State Restaurant Association