Georgia Restaurant Association
The Georgia Restaurant Association is a nonprofit trade association headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that advocates for restaurant operators across the state and provides ServSafe food safety training, workforce development, networking events, and corporate partnership programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Georgia Restaurant Association does
The Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) is a nonprofit trade association headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 2003 and serving as the recognized statewide voice for Georgia's restaurant and hospitality industry. GRA represents restaurant operators and allied members across all segments — fine dining, casual dining, fast casual, quick service, and institutional foodservice — and provides advocacy, resources, networking, and professional development services. The association operates the GRA Foundation (501(c)(3)) for youth workforce development through the ProStart program and the GRA PAC for legislative advocacy. GRA also serves as the preferred provider for ServSafe food safety training and certification in Georgia, where such certification is legally required.
GRA's core service portfolio includes ServSafe training and certification (administered through partnership with the National Restaurant Association), the Member Compass online portal for membership management and event registration, the GRA Legal Center for operational and compliance guidance, CEO Roundtable networking events across multiple Georgia cities, the annual GRACE Awards, the GRA Golf Tournament, and the Georgia ProStart Invitational (GPSI) competition. The technology foundation is primarily a website (garestaurants.org) powered by Novi AMS association management software, ServSafe's online training platform, and member communication systems including a weekly email newsletter.
GRA generates revenue through four principal streams: recurring membership dues from restaurant operators and allied members, ServSafe training and certification fees, corporate sponsorships from a network of 23+ partners (including Coca-Cola, Sysco, US Foods, DoorDash, NCR Voyix, Ecolab, and UnitedHealthcare), and registration/sponsorship revenue from signature events. The go-to-market motion is sales-led, combining direct outreach, industry event sponsorships, and partner referrals, with membership dues as the primary recurring revenue engine and corporate sponsorships as a complementary high-value stream.
Georgia Restaurant Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Georgia Restaurant Association
- Legal name
- Georgia Restaurant Association
- Website
- https://garestaurants.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Georgia Restaurant Association is a nonprofit trade association headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that advocates for restaurant operators across the state and provides ServSafe food safety training, workforce development, networking events, and corporate partnership programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Georgia Restaurant Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industry Trade Association Services
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Food, Beverage & Hospitality Trade Shows Organizers (THAHABAI)
Keywords
Where Georgia Restaurant Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Georgia Restaurant Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from restaurant operators, suppliers, and allied members. Membership provides access to advocacy services, resources, events, and member benefits.
- ServSafe Training Programs: Revenue from food safety training and certification programs administered through the National Restaurant Association. GRA serves as the preferred provider for ServSafe training in Georgia.
- Signature Events: Registration fees and sponsorship revenue from signature events including GRACE Awards, CEO Roundtables, GRA Golf Tournament, GRA PAC Fundraiser, Industry FUN Night, and Sip & Support.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partner and sponsorship arrangements with food service suppliers, equipment vendors, insurance providers, technology companies, and professional services firms serving the restaurant industry.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Georgia Restaurant Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Georgia Restaurant Association is a nonprofit statewide trade association that provides Georgia's restaurant operators and allied industry partners with advocacy representation, ServSafe food safety training and certification, member resources, networking events, and workforce development programs. Its core deliverables include legislative advocacy, the Member Compass member portal, GRA Legal Center, GRA PAC, GRA Foundation (501(c)(3)), ProStart education, GRACE Awards, and CEO Roundtables, supported by corporate partner sponsorships.
Product overview
The Georgia Restaurant Association is a statewide trade organization serving as a platform for collaboration and leadership on advocacy issues affecting Georgia's restaurant and hospitality industry. Rather than offering a unified software platform, the GRA provides a portfolio of programs and services including ServSafe food safety training and certification (in partnership with the National Restaurant Association), the Member Compass online portal for member management and event registration, the GRA Legal Center for industry-specific legal resources, GRA PAC for political advocacy, the GRA Foundation (501(c)(3)) for youth and workforce development through ProStart programs and scholarships, CEO Roundtable networking events across Georgia regions, the annual GRACE Awards recognition ceremony, a Supplier Directory connecting members with vetted partners, the Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program for local sourcing advocacy, and various workforce development resources including ADA compliance, food safety guidance, and mental health support materials.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ServSafe Training and Certification
- GRA Foundation (501(c)(3) Non-Profit Foundation)
- Georgia ProStart Program
- Georgia ProStart Invitational (GPSI) Competition
- GRACE Awards
- CEO Roundtable Events
- GRA Legal Center
- GRA PAC (Political Action Committee)
- GRA Golf Tournament
- Supplier Directory
- Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program
Companies that use Georgia Restaurant Association
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Georgia Restaurant Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Georgia Restaurant Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- AT&T Connected SpacesminorCorporate partner offering connected technology solutions including sensor kits and monitoring subscription services for restaurant operations.
- UnitedHealthcarecoreCorporate partner providing health care solutions designed for GRA members, including two health care plan options.
- Gas SouthcoreCorporate partner and energy provider offering natural gas services to hospitality businesses. Hosts ENERGY FORWARD forum and provides sponsorship support.
- Melissa Libby and AssociatesminorAtlanta-based public relations agency specializing in food, beverage, and retail industries with media communications, event planning, and social media services.
- Kuck | Baxter ImmigrationminorImmigration law firm providing legal assistance and guidance on immigration matters for restaurant operators and employees.
- EcolabcoreCorporate partner offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions for foodservice operations. Global sustainability leader with annual sales of $16 billion.
- Marsh McLennan AgencyminorInsurance and risk management partner providing commercial insurance solutions for GRA members.
- NCR VoyixcoreCorporate partner providing point of sale systems and restaurant technology solutions. NCR Aloha serves enterprise and independent restaurants with software, services, and hardware trusted by 100,000+ restaurant sites.
- Society InsurancecoreCorporate partner and industry leader in restaurant insurance coverage, providing tailored insurance policies designed specifically for restaurant operators.
- Moore ColsonminorAtlanta-based accounting and advisory firm with restaurant practice specialization, offering tax and financial services to hospitality businesses.
- HM PlumbingminorLocally owned plumbing service company specializing in commercial properties with strong focus on restaurant industry, offering preventative maintenance and emergency repairs.
- Sarah Cofer CreativeminorPhotography services partner providing professional photography for GRA events and member materials.
- DoorDashcoreCorporate partner and technology/logistics company providing delivery services to merchants. Offers merchant support and delivery infrastructure for restaurant operators.
- The Coca-Cola CompanycoreCorporate partner and globally-recognized beverage company offering portfolio of 200+ beverages. Committed to industry leadership and local economic partnerships.
- Gordon Food ServicecoreLargest family-operated broadline food service distributor in North America. Distributes to foodservice operators throughout Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest U.S.
- US FoodscoreLeading foodservice distributor partnering with approximately 300,000 restaurants. Offers broad and innovative food offering with 28,000 associates and 70+ locations.
- ARC Gaming & Technologies, LLCminorGaming and technology company operating 2,000+ state-of-the-art Coin Operated Amusement Machines in Georgia, holder of Class B Master License through Georgia Lottery.
- Bulldog GamingminorProvides COAM skill games, ATMs, and amusement equipment to restaurants, sports bars, and bowling centers. Offers digital marketing, credit card processing, and POS services.
- SyscocoreGlobal leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, and lodging establishments. Allied member with extensive product categories.
- National Restaurant AssociationcoreAffiliated national organization providing ServSafe programs, industry research, advocacy resources, and national representation. GRA shares member data with NRA and NRAEF as stated in privacy policy.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Georgia Restaurant Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association: Combined restaurant and lodging association in the Carolinas. Comparable advocacy, training, and event model with regional proximity to Georgia.
- Texas Restaurant Association: Statewide restaurant trade association serving Texas operators with advocacy, events, ServSafe training, and a foundation. Closest structural peer to GRA in terms of model, services, and revenue mix.
- South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association: South Carolina's statewide restaurant and lodging trade association. Provides advocacy, training, and events for hospitality operators; close regional peer to GRA.
- California Restaurant Association: Statewide trade association representing California's restaurant industry with advocacy, training, and member services. Same organizational archetype as GRA, scaled to a much larger state.
- Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association: Combined restaurant and lodging trade association in Florida. Direct functional peer on advocacy, events, training, and member services; differs by also representing lodging operators.
- Illinois Restaurant Association: State-level restaurant trade association providing advocacy, networking, education, and ServSafe in Illinois. Strong structural and functional parallel to GRA.
- Tennessee Restaurant Association: Statewide restaurant trade association in Tennessee offering advocacy, training, and member services. Regional peer operating a near-identical structure to GRA.
- New York State Restaurant Association: Statewide association representing New York's restaurant industry through advocacy, ServSafe training, and member benefits. Operates the same core model as GRA.
Broad incumbents
- American Hotel and Lodging Association: National trade association for the U.S. lodging industry. Adjacent peer sharing hospitality advocacy and event programming, but focused on hotels rather than restaurants.
- National Restaurant Association: The national umbrella association for the U.S. restaurant industry. Directly comparable as GRA's affiliate and ServSafe licensor; offers overlapping advocacy, training, and events but at national scale.
Market position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Georgia Restaurant Association social profiles
Digital presenceGeorgia Restaurant Association compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Georgia Restaurant Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Georgia Restaurant Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Georgia Restaurant Association subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Georgia Restaurant Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Georgia Restaurant Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Georgia Restaurant Association
What does Georgia Restaurant Association do?
The Georgia Restaurant Association is a nonprofit statewide trade association that provides Georgia's restaurant operators and allied industry partners with advocacy representation, ServSafe food safety training and certification, member resources, networking events, and workforce development programs. Its core deliverables include legislative advocacy, the Member Compass member portal, GRA Legal Center, GRA PAC, GRA Foundation (501(c)(3)), ProStart education, GRACE Awards, and CEO Roundtables, supported by corporate partner sponsorships.
When was Georgia Restaurant Association founded?
Georgia Restaurant Association was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Georgia Restaurant Association based?
Georgia Restaurant Association is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Georgia Restaurant Association make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are servSafe Training Programs, signature Events and corporate Sponsorships.
Who are Georgia Restaurant Association's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, Texas Restaurant Association, South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, California Restaurant Association, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Illinois Restaurant Association, Tennessee Restaurant Association and New York State Restaurant Association. Broad incumbents are American Hotel and Lodging Association and National Restaurant Association.
Does Georgia Restaurant Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for Georgia Restaurant Association.
What industry is Georgia Restaurant Association in?
Georgia Restaurant Association's product category is Industry Trade Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHABAI, Food, Beverage & Hospitality Trade Shows Organizers. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.