Oklahoma Restaurant Association

What Oklahoma Restaurant Association does

Oklahoma Restaurant Association (ORA), founded in 1933 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, is a private, nonprofit trade association serving Oklahoma's foodservice and hospitality industry. The organization represents approximately 4,500 members, comprising restaurant operators, allied/supplier members, and hospitality students. ORA's revenue model rests on four pillars: recurring membership dues (split into Restaurant and Allied/Supplier tiers), training and certification fees (ServSafe at $135-$175 per class, ACE alcohol compliance starting at $400, ServSuccess professional credentials), strategic partnership marketing anchored by a $15,000+ Key Club Partner tier, and signature events including the ORA Expo trade show, ProStart Invitational, and Odyssey de Culinaire dinners.

The association's product portfolio is built almost entirely on curricula and certifications licensed or aligned with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). Core offerings include ServSafe Certified Food Manager, ServSafe Food Handler, ServSafe Alcohol, ACE/24/7 ACE for ABLE Commission licensure, and ServSuccess professional credentials (CRP, CRS, CRM). The workforce development arm, Oklahoma ProStart, operates across 22 schools serving 1,100+ students, with adjunct programs such as the HospitAbilities inclusion certification, ProStart Student Invitational, and Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation scholarships at OSU and OSUIT. Member-benefit partnerships extend the proposition into legal counsel (Ogletree Deakins, Barrow & Grimm), virtual healthcare (TeleMedics), tip-credit tax services (Adesso Capital), discounted operations resources (RestaurantOwner.com), and mental health services (Pier 34 Foundation, NorthCare).

ORA distributes services via direct membership enrollment (web.okrestaurants.com and phone), scheduled in-person classes in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, on-site corporate training for multi-unit operators, online certification courses, and event registration. Marketing channels include the ORA Expo, À la Carte member newsletter, The Oklahoma Restaurateur magazine, Instagram, press releases, and ProStart community programs. ORA also pursues active legislative advocacy on bills such as SQ 832, SB 1940, and SB 2102, and participates in the NRA PAC, providing members with regulatory representation at the state and federal levels.

Name

Oklahoma Restaurant Association

Legal name

Oklahoma Restaurant Association

Website

https://okrestaurants.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Oklahoma Restaurant Association is a 1933-founded, Oklahoma City-based nonprofit trade association serving 4,500+ foodservice and hospitality members through training, certification (ServSafe, ACE, ServSuccess), legislative advocacy, signature events, and workforce development programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Restaurant & Foodservice Operations Management (EDAOAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Food, Beverage & Hospitality Trade Shows Organizers (THAHABAI)

Keywords

• Restaurant association services
• Food safety certification
• Hospitality training programs
• Alcohol compliance education
• Workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Oklahoma City

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The ORA generates revenue through membership dues from restaurant operators, service providers, non-commercial entities, bed and breakfasts, and students. The association serves 4,500 members and growing.
2. Training and Certification Services: Revenue from ServSafe Certified Food Manager training ($135-$175 per class), recertification ($85-$110), and retesting ($80). In-house training available at $115/person minimum 20 people plus $500 instructor fee. ACE alcohol compliance training starts at $400 for members.
3. Strategic Partnership Marketing: Annual Strategic Partner Marketing Program providing marketing opportunities at various levels. Key Club Partnership status requires $15,000+ investment per calendar year.
4. Signature Events: Revenue from signature events including ORA Expo, Oklahoma Hospitality Hall of Fame Awards, ProStart Student Invitational competition, Odyssey de Culinaire fundraising dinners, and other industry celebrations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Oklahoma Restaurant Association is a membership-based trade association that serves Oklahoma's restaurant and hospitality industry through paid membership tiers (Restaurant Operator and Allied/Supplier), regulated food safety and alcohol compliance training and certification (ServSafe and ACE programs), workforce development via the ProStart school program, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and signature industry events including the ORA Expo. Founded in 1933, it represents approximately 4,500 members and operates as the recognized state-level affiliate of the National Restaurant Association.

Product overview

The Oklahoma Restaurant Association offers a portfolio of training, certification, workforce development, and member benefit programs for the foodservice and hospitality industry in Oklahoma. The core certification products include ServSafe Certified Food Manager, ServSafe Food Handler, and ServSafe Alcohol programs (all aligned with National Restaurant Association standards), along with the in-house ACE Alcohol Compliance Education and 24/7 ACE Online programs for Oklahoma ABLE Commission licensure. ServSuccess provides three-tier professional certifications (CRP, CRS, CRM) for restaurant career advancement. The workforce development arm centers on Oklahoma ProStart (22 schools, 1100+ students) with companion programs including HospitAbilities certification, ProStart Invitational competitions, and Odyssey de Culinaire fundraising events. The Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation (OHF) administers scholarships for OSU and OSUIT hospitality students. Member benefits include Legal Resource Center access, RestaurantOwner.com discounts, TeleMedics virtual healthcare, and ORA Expo event access. Membership is offered in Restaurant Operator and Allied/Supplier tiers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ORA Membership (Restaurant & Allied/Supplier) Paid association membership for Oklahoma restaurant operators and allied/supplier companies, providing training access, regulatory advocacy, networking events, member discounts, legislative representation, and the ORA Expo trade show.
• ServSafe Certified Food Manager (CFM) ServSafe food safety training and proctored exam providing Certified Food Manager certification required in Oklahoma County, Tulsa County, Cleveland County, and the City of Stillwater. Members $135 / Non-members $175; recertification $85 / $110.
• ServSafe Food Handler Entry-level food safety training course for all restaurant team members, covering basic food safety and sanitation practices for employees seeking Food Handler Cards.
• ServSafe Alcohol Online alcohol server training program developed by the National Restaurant Association, meeting Oklahoma ABLE Commission requirements for responsible alcohol server licensure. Available via servsafe.com with ORA coupon code OKALCOHOL for 33% discount.
• Alcohol Compliance Education (ACE) In-person alcohol compliance training program approved by the Oklahoma ABLE Commission, teaching servers and managers to identify intoxication signs, recognize false ID, and apply state alcohol laws. Members start at $400; non-members start at $600 (plus mileage).
• 24/7 ACE Online Online, self-paced alcohol compliance education course for Oklahoma hospitality workers, providing state-required certification training for ABLE Commission licensure accessible 24/7.
• ServSuccess Professional Certification Professional development certification program offering three credential levels — Certified Restaurant Professional, Certified Restaurant Supervisor, and Certified Restaurant Manager — for career advancement in the restaurant industry.
• Oklahoma ProStart Program School-based workforce development program that introduces high school juniors and seniors to foodservice careers through classroom activities, 400-hour mentored internships, and national industry certification. Currently serving 1,100+ students across 22 Oklahoma schools.
• HospitAbilities Certification Skills-based assessment certification for hospitality students of all capabilities, including students with disabilities, evaluating 18 essential service skills for hospitality careers through practical demonstrations.
• TeleMedics Virtual Healthcare Benefit Exclusive ORA member benefit providing round-the-clock virtual healthcare including urgent care, primary care, behavioral therapy, pharmacy discounts, and dermatology services with no insurance or copay required.
• Legal Resource Center Exclusive ORA member benefit providing 15 minutes of complimentary legal advice per month through partnered law firms (Ogletree Deakins and Barrow & Grimm, P.C.), covering employment, business, and regulatory matters.
• ORA Expo (Oklahoma Hospitality Expo) Annual trade show and signature event for the Oklahoma hospitality industry, hosting the Culinary Cook-off competition, Oklahoma Hospitality Hall of Fame Awards, supplier exhibitions, and industry networking.
• Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation (OHF) Philanthropic arm of the ORA supporting hospitality education, community engagement, and workforce development, including scholarships for OSU and OSUIT hospitality students and Thirst for a Cause fundraising.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerORA partners with NRAEF to deliver ProStart workforce development program, ServSafe certifications, and ServSuccess professional development certifications to Oklahoma hospitality industry. NRAEF provides curriculum, materials, and national certification standards.
• Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partnership to deliver HospitAbilities certification program for students with disabilities, evaluating 18 essential service skills for hospitality careers.
• TeleMedics HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive partnership providing virtual healthcare benefits to ORA members including virtual urgent care, primary care, behavioral care, pharmacy discounts, and pet care at exclusive member pricing.
• RestaurantOwner.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerORA members receive 15% off all monthly plans and 30% off all annual plans for restaurant resources covering finances, operations, and leadership.
• Adesso CapitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial services partner offering FICA Tip Credit tax refund services for restaurants. Adesso will pay for one year of ORA membership for restaurants using their services.
• Ogletree DeakinsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal partner providing employment, public policy, ethics, and regulatory counsel to ORA members. Specializes in employee benefit matters, ERISA compliance, and retirement plan administration.
• Barrow & Grimm, P.C.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTulsa-based law firm providing legal services including business litigation, estate planning, labor & employment, tax law, construction law, business services, real estate, healthcare law, alcoholic beverage law & licensing.
• Pier 34 FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit mental health foundation providing ORA members and employees access to mental health professionals at $15 copay for approved clients meeting income requirements.
• NorthCareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading provider of integrated behavioral health services for Oklahomans. Offers free COVID outreach program and trauma-informed services for children, adults, and families.
• USF (Champion Partner)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion Partner level supporter of HospitAbilities program supporting students of all capabilities in Oklahoma hospitality industry.
• Bryan Close (Advocate Partner)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvocate Partner level supporter of HospitAbilities program.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF): NRA's philanthropic and workforce-development arm that supplies ORA with ProStart curriculum, ServSafe materials, and ServSuccess credentials. The content upstream of ORA's training products — an enabling ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• National Restaurant Association: The national umbrella trade association for the U.S. restaurant industry. Comparable because it sets ServSafe curriculum, runs NRAEF, and operates federal advocacy that ORA explicitly channels to members (NRA PAC, National Issues). Broader scope but the same trade-association business model.
• American Hotel & Lodging Association: National trade association for lodging, adjacent to ORA's hospitality remit. Provides a comparable trade-association structure (membership, certification, advocacy) operating in a sister vertical that overlaps ORA's broader hospitality scope.

Direct peers

• California Restaurant Association: State restaurant association in California delivering membership, ServSafe training, legislative advocacy and ProStart-style workforce programs. Direct functional peer despite different market size.
• New York State Restaurant Association: State trade association for New York restaurants providing membership, training, advocacy, and events. Direct functional peer in the same category of state-level restaurant associations.
• Texas Restaurant Association: State restaurant association for Texas offering the same mix of membership dues, ServSafe training, advocacy, and events. Operates a similarly large member base in a comparable Sun Belt hospitality market, making it the closest direct statewide peer to ORA.
• Florida Restaurant Association: Florida's state restaurant trade association running membership, ServSafe/responsible-vendor training, advocacy, and a large annual trade show. Same operating playbook as ORA in another high-volume hospitality state.
• Georgia Restaurant Association: Georgia's statewide restaurant trade association offering membership, ServSafe, workforce, and advocacy services — same product mix and customer type as ORA.
• Illinois Restaurant Association: State restaurant association operating membership, ServSafe training, advocacy, and an annual show in another major U.S. hospitality market. Directly comparable trade-association operating model.
• Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association: The Oklahoma-based counterpart association for lodging that ORA already co-delivers programs with (HospitAbilities). Same geography, same trade-association model, same advocacy function — a true sibling state association rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• Instagraminstagram.com/tv/CpgD5KLBhjj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Oklahoma Restaurant Association