What Texas Restaurant Association does

Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1937 that serves as the leading advocacy and business resource organization for the Texas foodservice industry. It represents what the association describes as the state's $138 billion restaurant industry, encompassing more than 57,000 restaurant locations and over 1.4 million employees, operating through 23 regional chapters across Central South, North, Southeast, and West Texas. TRA is the second-largest state restaurant association in the United States and is governed by a member-elected board under Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D. as President & CEO (appointed 2023, the first woman to lead the organization).

The association's core offerings fall into four product surfaces. First, membership programs: operator memberships are tiered by gross foodservice sales from $350 to $13,500 annually, and allied (supplier/vendor) memberships range from $550 (single chapter) to $3,950 (statewide). Second, the Texas Restaurant Show, the largest foodservice trade event in the Southwest, scheduled for July 12-13, 2026 in San Antonio, projected to host 8,000+ attendees and 600+ exhibitors; the show integrates the newly acquired Bar & Nightclub Showcase following the December 2025 acquisition of the Texas Bar & Nightclub Alliance. Third, a certification and training portfolio including the #1 TABC seller-server certification (DSHS-approved), ServSafe Food Handler, Texas FoodGuard Food Safety Manager, ServSuccess professional development, and Texas Responsible Alcohol Delivery training. Fourth, the Restaurant Solutions curated partner ecosystem covering health insurance (UnitedHealthcare), workers' compensation (Texas Mutual), payments (Heartland, SpotOn), legal (Greenberg Traurig, Monty & Ramirez), finance (Adesso Capital, Tab Commerce), and HR/AI tools (Paradox, Maitly). The Texas Restaurant Foundation (founded 1995) operates the Texas ProStart workforce development program reaching 27,000+ high school students in 260+ schools.

TRA's revenue mechanics are diversified across recurring membership dues, one-time exhibitor booth rentals ($3,750-$22,500), show attendee registration ($50-$795), and certification course fees ($9.95-$14.95). Go-to-market relies on event-driven member acquisition anchored by the annual show and supplemented by 23 local chapters. The association also generates influence through federal advocacy coalitions including Seat the Table and Secure America's Workforce, and runs content channels including the At the Table with TRA podcast and the annual Texas Restaurant Buyer's Guide (14th edition in 2026, in partnership with Strategic Value Media). The headcount band of 11-50 employees reflects a lean nonprofit operating model with outsourced chapter execution and partner-led service delivery.

Name

Texas Restaurant Association

Legal name

Texas Restaurant Association

Website

https://txrestaurantshow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Texas Restaurant Association is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1937 that advocates for and serves Texas's $138 billion restaurant industry across 57,000+ locations and 1.4 million employees, delivering membership, training, certification, and the annual Texas Restaurant Show.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Full-Service Restaurants (722511), Food Services and Drinking Places (722)

SIC

Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Food, Beverage & Hospitality Trade Shows Organizers (THAHABAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Restaurant & Foodservice Operations Management (EDAOAKAE)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Industry advocacy
• Foodservice certification training
• Restaurant membership benefits
• Hospitality trade events

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Operator Membership Dues: Annual membership dues for food and beverage service operators based on gross sales volume, ranging from $350 to $13,500 per year depending on annual revenues.
2. Allied Membership Dues: Annual dues for suppliers/vendors to the foodservice industry, ranging from $550 for single chapter membership to $3,950 for statewide membership.
3. Texas Restaurant Show Exhibitor Booth Sales: Revenue from exhibitor booth rentals at the annual Texas Restaurant Show, with booth sizes ranging from 10x10 at $3,750 to 20x40 at $22,500.
4. Texas Restaurant Show Registration Fees: Registration fees for non-member restaurant/bar operators ($50-$75), allied members ($395), and non-exhibiting suppliers ($795) to attend the annual show.
5. Training and Certification Programs: Revenue from TABC seller-server certification ($14.95 retail, $9.95 for members), ServSafe training, and other food safety certification programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Texas Restaurant Association is a nonprofit trade association that provides industry advocacy, training and certification programs, business resources, and an annual trade show to Texas restaurant operators and allied foodservice suppliers. It sells tiered operator and supplier membership subscriptions, hosts the Texas Restaurant Show (the largest foodservice trade event in the Southwest), operates certification courses (TABC, ServSafe, FoodGuard, TRAD, ServSuccess), and curates the Restaurant Solutions partner ecosystem spanning insurance, legal, payments, technology, and HR services.

Product overview

Texas Restaurant Association operates as a trade association offering a unified membership platform centered on the annual Texas Restaurant Show (the largest foodservice trade event in the Southwest), complemented by certification and training programs (#1 TABC Certification, ServSafe Food Handler, Texas FoodGuard, ServSuccess, TRAD Training), the Bar & Nightclub Showcase (an integrated show section for alcohol-serving establishments), Texas Restaurant Awards (annual industry recognition), Restaurant Solutions (a curated partner ecosystem covering health, finance, law, technology, insurance, and operations), advocacy campaigns (Keep Food on the Table), workforce development (Texas ProStart), and the At the Table with TRA podcast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Texas Restaurant Awards: Annual awards ceremony celebrating excellence in the Texas restaurant industry, honoring restaurateurs, chefs, and industry leaders
• Texas Restaurant Foundation (TRF)
• Texas Restaurant Show
• At the Table with TRA
• Bar & Nightclub Showcase

Products and services

• Texas Restaurant Show The largest foodservice trade event in the Southwest, held annually by the Texas Restaurant Association. Features 600+ exhibitor booths, 8,000+ attendees, 20+ education sessions, and 40+ industry expert speakers across two days at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio (2026). Backed by industry leadership since 1937.
• Bar & Nightclub Showcase Integrated section of the Texas Restaurant Show focused on bars, nightclubs, and alcohol-serving establishments. Features beverage innovation, bar equipment, nightlife technology, compliance insights, workforce solutions, and the Mixology Competition.
• Texas Restaurant Awards Annual awards program celebrating excellence in the Texas restaurant industry at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Includes Hall of Honor induction, Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year, Rising Star, Deep in the Heart, Community Impact, Chef Tim Kelly Educator Excellence, Carmelo Mauro Spirit of Generosity, Excellence in Journalism, Outstanding Partner, Restaurant Industry Champion, and Skeeter Miller Excellence in Advocacy awards.
• #1 TABC Certification Official Texas Restaurant Association online alcohol seller-server certification course approved by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). Provides training on Texas state laws regarding alcoholic beverage sales and intervention techniques. Priced at $14.95 retail and $9.95 for TRA members; valid for 2 years.
• ServSafe Texas Food Handler Training Online Texas Food Handler training course meeting all state requirements, approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services and ANSI-accredited. Required for food handlers in Texas foodservice operations.
• Texas FoodGuard Food Safety Manager Training Food manager certification program powered by ServSafe, providing Texas Food Manager Certificate training and exam online. Approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services and accepted statewide. Certificate valid for 5 years.
• ServSuccess Professional development program for the restaurant industry providing career path certifications, learning suites, and training courses for restaurant employees across operations, culinary, and management tracks.
• Texas Responsible Alcohol Delivery (TRAD) Training Course for delivery drivers on responsible alcohol delivery practices, offered in partnership with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Insulates drivers and Consumer Delivery Permit holders from certain delivery violations.
• Restaurant Solutions Curated member benefit platform offering vetted partner products and services across Health & Wellness (UnitedHealthcare), Finance (Adesso Capital, Tab Commerce), Law (Greenberg Traurig, Monty & Ramirez), Technology (Heartland, Maitly, SpotOn, Owner.com, Back Office, Paradox, Uber Eats), Insurance, Marketing, Consultancy, Operations, and HR categories. Available exclusively to TRA members.
• Texas Restaurant Buyer's Guide Annual print and digital buyer's guide produced in partnership with Strategic Value Media, providing company and product listings for restaurant industry suppliers and service providers in Texas. The 14th edition was published in 2026.
• At the Table with TRA Podcast Official podcast of the Texas Restaurant Association featuring discussions with industry leaders on topics relevant to restaurant and foodservice operators. Distributed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
• Texas ProStart Workforce development program managed by the Texas Restaurant Foundation reaching over 27,000 high school students in 260+ schools statewide, providing culinary and restaurant management training as a career pipeline for the Texas hospitality industry.
• TRA Operator and Allied Membership Annual tiered membership subscriptions for Texas restaurant operators (priced by gross sales from $350 to $13,500 per year) and for allied supplier/vendor members ($550 single chapter to $3,950 statewide). Provides access to advocacy, training certifications, member benefits, group purchasing, networking, and chapter engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 66% of Texas restaurant operators have experienced negative impacts from immigration policy changes
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration9 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Secure America's Workforce CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 July 2026Coalition that TRA joined opposing H.R. 2 (Secure the Border Act) and advocating for work permit solutions for long-term immigrants to address staffing shortages.
• Texas Bar & Nightclub Alliance (TBNA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025Acquisition completed December 11, 2025. TBNA members transition to full TRA membership with expanded benefits. Texas Bar & Nightclub Convention integrated into 2026 Texas Restaurant Show as Bar & Nightclub Showcase.
• UnitedHealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnitedHealthcare provides medical, dental, and vision care coverage options for TRA members. Part of the Restaurant Solutions health and wellness offerings.
• Texas MutualcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas Mutual provides workers' compensation insurance specifically designed for restaurant operators. TRA members receive access to this preferred partner.
• Adesso CapitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial services provider offering SBA lending and commercial services for restaurant expansion and growth.
• Tab CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerModern corporate card solution for restaurant business expenses and expense management.
• Greenberg TraurigminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm advising employers on HR law with dedicated restaurant law team. Provides legal consultations to TRA members.
• Monty & RamirezminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm focused on employment, labor, and immigration compliance issues for restaurant operators.
• Heartland (Global Payments)coreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing and POS solutions provider for restaurant operations. Part of the Restaurant Solutions technology offerings.
• Ben E. Keith FoodscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor food distributor and presenting sponsor of Texas Restaurant Show under 'Eat Local. Eat Often.' partnership. Outstanding Partner of the Year 2025.
• SyscocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational food service distribution company and major sponsor of Texas Restaurant Show.
• Coca-Cola Southwest BeveragescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeverage distribution partner and sponsor of Texas Restaurant Show.
• Spec'sminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpec's Wines, Spirits and Fresco Foods is sponsor of Mixology Competition in Bar & Nightclub Showcase.
• Map Your ShowcoreTechnology or IntegrationExhibitor floor plan, portal, and show app platform provider for Texas Restaurant Show.
• Strategic Value MediaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOverland, KS-based provider of print and digital media solutions producing the TRA Buyers' Guide (14th edition in 2026).
• Seat the Table CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant industry coalition of over 20 hospitality and agricultural groups including James Beard Foundation, Independent Restaurant Coalition, and TRA. Launched 'Keep Food on the Table' national campaign for work permit reform.
• Eat Local. Eat Often.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Texas Restaurant Show. Movement championing Texas restaurants and supporting communities.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• New York State Restaurant Association: The New York State Restaurant Association is a peer state restaurant trade body offering membership, advocacy, and training for operators in a major Northeast market, structurally analogous to TRA's role in Texas.
• American Beverage Licensees: American Beverage Licenseers is the national trade association for bars, restaurants, and retailers serving alcohol — directly comparable to TRA's newly acquired Texas Bar & Nightclub Alliance membership and Bar & Nightclub Showcase focus.
• Georgia Restaurant Association: The Georgia Restaurant Association is a peer state-level restaurant trade association providing advocacy, education, and events for foodservice operators in the Southeast, serving as a comparable state trade body.
• Illinois Restaurant Association: The Illinois Restaurant Association is a peer state-level restaurant trade association running the Chicago Restaurant Show, advocacy, and member services for Illinois operators — a comparable state trade body with a flagship event.
• California Restaurant Association: The California Restaurant Association is a peer state-level restaurant trade association with similar structure: membership dues, advocacy, certifications, a statewide trade show (California Restaurant Show), and local chapters serving operators in another large state market.
• National Restaurant Association: The National Restaurant Association is the largest U.S. restaurant trade association, directly comparable to TRA as the parent-level body representing the same operator base, running advocacy, certification, and the NRA Show — TRA operates as a state-level peer within the same ecosystem.
• Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association: The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is a comparable state-level hospitality trade association combining restaurant and lodging advocacy, membership, and training programs across a similarly large and tourism-driven state.

Broad incumbents

• International Franchise Association: The International Franchise Association is a broader national trade body representing franchised businesses including restaurant chains, overlapping with TRA's multi-unit and franchise operator members and competing for similar advocacy and event sponsorship dollars.
• American Hotel & Lodging Association: AHLA is the national trade association for the lodging industry, offering an adjacent model of state-chapter federation, advocacy, certifications, and a major trade show (HITEC) — broadly comparable to TRA's structure but in lodging rather than restaurants.

Others

• Events Industry Council: The Events Industry Council is the industry's professional body for the meetings, events, and exhibitions sector — adjacent to TRA through its operation of the Texas Restaurant Show, sharing trade show best practices, CMP-style certifications, and exhibitor/attendee standards.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TXRestaurants
• Xx.com/txrestaurants
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/txrestaurants

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Texas Restaurant Association