Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association

What Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association does

The Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association (ARHA) is a private, nonprofit trade association headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, representing over 1,200 members across the state's restaurant, lodging, tourism, and hospitality service sectors. The food service, hospitality, and tourism industry represented by ARHA is Alabama's second-largest private industry employer, positioning the association as the leading advocacy voice for one of the state's largest economic sectors. ARHA delivers value to members through four primary revenue streams: recurring annual membership dues, transaction-based job board posting fees, event ticket and sponsorship revenue from flagship gatherings, and ServSafe food safety certification fees.

The association's core product is a bundled membership benefits portfolio that includes group healthcare administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield (ARHACare), workers compensation insurance through AlaCOMP, Employee Retention Credit recovery via Adesso, group purchasing power through Dining Alliance, and discounts on point-of-sale and payments (Heartland), business tools (RestaurantOwner.com), office supplies (Office Depot), and music licensing (BMI). Underlying technology is limited to a standard association management platform supporting member portal access, event registration, and a hospitality-focused job board. The go-to-market model is sales-led, with direct outreach by a small membership team and 8-9 regional chapters providing local touchpoints across Alabama.

ARHA extends its offering through annual events including the Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner (50+ awards annually), the Bartender of the Year Competition, the Grand Pineapple Golf Challenge, and the Alabama ProStart Student Invitational run by its affiliated ARHAF Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit). These events drive both engagement and ancillary revenue while reinforcing the association's brand as the unified industry voice. Strategic partnerships span core insurance and healthcare providers, supplier alliances, and workforce development collaborators with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

Name

Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association

Legal name

Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association

Website

https://arhaonline.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association is a nonprofit trade association representing 1,200+ restaurants, lodging, tourism, and hospitality service providers across Alabama, delivering advocacy, group healthcare, insurance, purchasing rebates, training, and industry events through a Montgomery-based team and 8-9 regional chapters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Montgomery

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. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from restaurants, lodging establishments, tourism businesses, and hospitality service providers. Members gain access to exclusive benefits including healthcare programs, insurance discounts, purchasing power, and training resources.
2. Job Board Fees: Non-member job posting fees: $100 for 30 days, $150 for 60 days, $200 for 90 days. ARHA members post jobs for free.
3. Event Tickets and Sponsorships: Revenue from Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner, Grand Pineapple Golf Challenge, Bartender of the Year competitions, and regional chapter events. Includes ticket sales and corporate sponsorships.
4. ServSafe Certification Fees: ARHA proctored exams: free for members, $50 for non-members. Additional revenue from exam voucher sales ($36 if needed) and partnership arrangements with TSC Associates for in-person training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ARHA is a nonprofit state trade association that represents and serves Alabama's restaurant, lodging, tourism, and hospitality service companies through membership-based advocacy, education, and group benefits programs. The association provides legislative advocacy, ServSafe food safety certification training, group healthcare insurance (ARHACare), workers compensation insurance, group purchasing rebates, and industry events. It generates revenue through annual membership dues plus ancillary fees from job board postings, event tickets, sponsorships, and certification exams.

Product overview

ARHA is a trade association serving Alabama's restaurant, lodging, tourism, and hospitality industry with a membership base of over 1,200 establishments. The organization operates as a platform combining advocacy, member benefits, education/training, and industry events. Core offerings include ARHA Membership Benefits providing healthcare, insurance, and supplier discounts; ServSafe Training for food safety certification; and the ARHA Job Board for recruitment. Additional modules include the Stars of the Industry Awards (annual awards dinner), Grand Pineapple Golf Challenge (networking event), Bartender of the Year Competition (regional/state competition), Alabama ProStart Student Invitational (culinary competition), and nine Regional Chapters across Alabama. The ARHACare group healthcare program (administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield), Workers' Compensation Insurance (via AlaCOMP), and ERC Assistance are key member benefit programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ARHA Membership Benefits Comprehensive membership program offering healthcare (ARHACare), workers' compensation insurance, Employee Retention Credit assistance, purchasing power through Dining Alliance, point-of-sale/payments partnership with Heartland, ServSafe training discounts, and various supplier discounts including Office Depot and BMI music licensing. Targeted at Alabama restaurant, lodging, tourism, and hospitality service businesses.
• ARHACare Group Healthcare Program Specialized healthcare program for hospitality industry employers that pools multiple employers to offer enhanced benefits at lower costs, administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Available to ARHA member businesses across Alabama.
• ServSafe Training and Certification Food safety certification training for Alabama hospitality professionals, including Manager Training with certification valid for five years, available in English and Spanish with online proctoring options. Free for ARHA members; $50 for non-members.
• ARHA Job Board Affordable job posting platform for restaurants and hotels to reach hospitality professionals across Alabama. Free for ARHA members; $100 for 30 days, $150 for 60 days, $200 for 90 days for non-members.
• ARHA Scholarship Program (Kirk Kirkland Memorial Scholarship) Scholarship program for Alabama students pursuing hospitality careers, offering awards up to $2,000 with eligibility requirements including 2.5 GPA minimum and enrollment in hospitality courses. Administered through the ARHA Foundation (ARHAF) in partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).
• Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner Annual awards dinner celebrating excellence in Alabama's hospitality industry with over 15 award categories recognizing restaurant, hotel, and tourism professionals. Over 50 awards presented annually at the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa. Ticketed event with corporate sponsorships.
• Grand Pineapple Golf Challenge Annual charity golf tournament providing networking opportunities for hospitality professionals with championship golf, food, drinks on every hole, raffle prizes, and giveaways. Targets hospitality business owners and operators.
• Bartender of the Year Competition Annual bartender competition held in partnership with Old Forester and United-Johnson Brothers of Alabama, featuring regional contests with six contestants each and state finals at Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner.
• Alabama ProStart Student Invitational Annual culinary and management competition for hospitality students hosted by the ARHA Foundation, featuring culinary competition and management competition tracks with multiple award categories. 20 teams competed in 2024 at Perdido Beach Resort.

Named customers10 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 core, major and minor.

• Blue Cross and Blue ShieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Cross and Blue Shield administers the ARHACare group healthcare program, which pools multiple hospitality employers to offer enhanced benefits at lower costs through the largest nationwide network.
• AdessocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted partner for Employee Retention Credit (ERC) assistance. Adesso has helped thousands of businesses recover over $350 million in ERC funds. Average recovery check is $150,000 per business.
• Dining AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARHA leverages Dining Alliance's collective buying power to provide members rebates and savings on hundreds of suppliers including DirecTV, ChefWorks, and Skechers. Members earned over $140,000 in rebate checks in 2022.
• AlaCOMPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARHA is an authorized agent for AlaCOMP workers compensation insurance, providing competitive pricing and potential annual dividends to ARHA members.
• HeartlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial point of sale, payments, and payroll partner for ARHA members. Heartland's human-centered technology helps businesses increase sales, retain customers, and reduce administrative burdens.
• RestaurantOwner.commajorGTM or Marketing PartnerARHA members receive 15% off all monthly plans and 30% off all annual plans for RestaurantOwner.com tools and trainings. Platform provides resources for restaurant finances, operations, leadership, and staffing.
• Office Depot OfficeMaxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerARHA members save up to 75% on office, home, and school supplies from Office Depot OfficeMax including office essentials, toner, and paper.
• BMIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerARHA members can save up to 20% on music licensing fees with BMI, which represents performance rights for millions of songs.
• Old ForestermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOld Forester partners with ARHA for the annual Bartender of the Year Competition, showcasing and celebrating professional bartenders across Alabama.
• United-Johnson Brothers of AlabamamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited-Johnson Brothers of Alabama co-hosts the annual Bartender of the Year Competition with ARHA and Old Forester, providing regional contests and state finals at the Stars of the Industry Awards.
• TSC AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSC Associates partners with ARHA to provide in-person ServSafe training and certification. Contact: 334-699-5765. TSC also leads the Dothan/Wiregrass regional chapter.
• National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARHA partners with NRAEF to provide scholarships to Alabama students pursuing careers in restaurant and lodging management through the Kirk Kirkland Memorial Scholarship (awards up to $2,000).
• Sweet Grown AlabamaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerARHA partners with Sweet Grown Alabama for the Sweet Grown Alabama Restaurant Award, recognizing restaurants that showcase locally grown products and contribute to a sustainable food system.
• Alabama Cattlemen's AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors the Best Beef Entree category at the Alabama ProStart Student Invitational competition.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/arhaonline
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlabamaRestaurantandHospitalityAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alabamarestaurantandhospitalityassociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association