colorado restaurant association & foundation

What colorado restaurant association & foundation does

The Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation is a Denver-based nonprofit trade association (501(c)(6)) and affiliated charitable foundation (501(c)(3)) founded in 1933 and 1987, respectively. It represents over 12,900 eating and drinking locations across Colorado—approximately 90% of the state's 14,400 establishments and 89% of which are independently owned—through advocacy, compliance resources, workforce development, and member services. The organization serves restaurant owners and operators, food truck operators, vendor partners, hospitality workers, and high school students pursuing culinary careers.

Core offerings include an AI-Powered Compliance Center Concierge (launched 2026) for navigating federal and state regulations, ServSafe food safety certification (now offered in Spanish), Colorado ProStart high school culinary programming, Registered Apprenticeship programs (Certified Line Cook, Certified Restaurant Manager, Certified Kitchen Manager), the Angel Relief Fund for emergency hardship assistance, and a Member Portal with a Marketplace of preferred-vendor discounts spanning POS (SpotOn), payment processing (Global Payments), insurance (Pinnacol Assurance, Society Insurance), healthcare (UnitedHealthcare), and food distribution (US Foods, Shamrock Foods, RNDC). Technology is built on a standard association management platform with a web-based member portal and a recently introduced NLP-driven concierge.

The business model is member-funded: recurring membership dues (restaurant, food truck, vendor tiers billed monthly), event revenue (Denver Food + Wine Festival, Drink Red Wear Red, HOSPYS Awards, CRB Show, ProStart Invitational), corporate sponsorships and advertising (including a Hospitality News newsletter reaching 5,000+ members at 50%+ open rates), and philanthropic donations to the Colorado Restaurant Foundation. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the website portal, seven statewide chapters (Boulder County, Breckenridge, Durango, Mile High, Northern Colorado, Pikes Peak, Steamboat Springs), and grassroots action alerts, with member benefits automatically extending to dual membership in the National Restaurant Association.

Name

colorado restaurant association & foundation

Legal name

Colorado Restaurant Association

Website

https://corestaurant.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation is a Denver-based nonprofit trade association founded in 1933, representing over 12,900 Colorado eating and drinking locations through advocacy, compliance resources, workforce development, training programs, and member discount services for restaurant operators and hospitality workers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

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 or monthly membership fees from restaurant operators, food trucks, and vendor partners. Membership provides access to advocacy, compliance resources, education, member discounts, and dual membership with the National Restaurant Association.
2. Events and Fundraising: Revenue from signature events including the Denver Food + Wine Festival, Drink Red Wear Red, HOSPYS awards gala, CRB Show, ProStart Student Invitational, and chapter meetings. Events raise funds for the Colorado Restaurant Foundation.
3. Sponsorships and Advertising: Corporate sponsorships for events and programs, advertising on the CRA website and in Hospitality News e-newsletters, and promotional opportunities through the marketplace.
4. Donations to Foundation: Philanthropic contributions to the Colorado Restaurant Foundation supporting workforce training, scholarships, and the Angel Relief Fund for hospitality workers in hardship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association that represents Colorado's restaurant and hospitality industry through membership-based advocacy, compliance resources, education, and networking. The Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF), its 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm founded in 1987, delivers workforce development, scholarships, ServSafe certification training, apprenticeship programs, and emergency assistance for hospitality workers.

Product overview

The Colorado Restaurant Association and Foundation offers a suite of membership-based services for the restaurant and hospitality industry in Colorado. The core offering is CRA Membership, which provides advocacy, compliance resources, education, and workforce development programs. Key products include the AI-Powered Compliance Center Concierge for regulatory navigation, ServSafe food safety training, Colorado ProStart high school culinary programs, Registered Apprenticeship Programs, and the Angel Relief Fund for emergency worker assistance. The Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) operates as the philanthropic arm, providing scholarships, health & wellness resources, and career pathways programs including ServSuccess and RestaurantReady. Additional services include a Member Portal, Marketplace for vendor discounts, and various industry events and networking chapters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HOSPYS: Colorado Restaurant Association Hospitality Awards program recognizing top professionals in foodservice and hospitality.
• Angel Relief Fund
• ProStart
• Denver Food + Wine Festival
• Drink Red Wear Red

Products and services

• CRA Membership Trade organization membership providing advocacy representation, compliance resources, education, workforce development, networking, and member discounts for Colorado restaurant operators. Includes dual membership with the National Restaurant Association.
• Compliance Center A comprehensive resource hub providing compliance information, legal guidance, templates, and tools for federal and state regulations affecting Colorado restaurants, covering labor, immigration, liquor, ADA, food safety, and COVID-19 requirements.
• AI-Powered Compliance Center Concierge An AI-powered conversational tool that helps restaurant operators navigate complex restaurant regulations and compliance requirements through natural language processing.
• ServSafe Food Safety Training Food safety certification classes including Manager, Food Handler, and Allergen training, now offered in Spanish, provided through partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
• Colorado ProStart A high school culinary arts and restaurant management program that bridges employment needs in the hospitality industry by fostering talented students for foodservice careers.
• Registered Apprenticeship Program Certified apprenticeship programs for Certified Line Cook, Certified Restaurant Manager, and Certified Kitchen Manager, launched through partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
• Angel Relief Fund Emergency financial assistance program for restaurant and hospitality industry employees experiencing hardship or emergencies, including mental health coverage up to $1,000.
• Hospitality Scholarships Educational scholarships administered by the Colorado Restaurant Foundation for individuals pursuing hospitality careers.
• Health & Wellness Resource Center Hub of services providing federal, state, and community resources for housing, transportation, mental health, medical care, and child care assistance for hospitality workers.
• Annual Industry Events Signature fundraising and networking events including the Denver Food + Wine Festival, Drink Red Wear Red, HOSPYS awards gala, CRB Show, ProStart Student Invitational, and chapter meetings, which raise funds for the Colorado Restaurant Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Restaurants drive $29+ billion in annual retail sales and $426 million in state sales tax revenue to Colorado's economy.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CU Boulder Leeds School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to create an interactive data dashboard providing economic and demographic data behind Colorado's restaurant industry.
• National Restaurant AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual membership arrangement where CRA members automatically receive membership with the National Restaurant Association, providing access to national resources, research, and advocacy.
• The Capstone GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment affairs lobbying firm providing expert knowledge of Colorado's legislative process. Partners include Mary Marchun and Samantha Nuechterlein.
• Nexus Policy GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment affairs lobbying firm with extensive experience lobbying before the Colorado General Assembly, local governments, and Colorado congressional delegation. Partners include Patrick Boyle, Kayla Tibbals, and Meghan MacKillop.
• Zero FoodprintminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership with California-based nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing the food world around agricultural climate solutions. Colorado restaurants can partner with Zero Foodprint to support local carbon farming initiatives.
• National Restaurant Association Educational FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing the Registered Apprenticeship Program for Certified Line Cook, Certified Restaurant Manager, and Certified Kitchen Manager apprenticeships. Colorado is one of few states selected to implement these certified apprenticeship programs.
• Southern Glazer's Wine & SpiritscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor partner for the Denver Food + Wine Festival, the signature annual fundraiser of the Colorado Restaurant Foundation.
• Dill and DillminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal resource partner providing free limited legal advice to CRA members on criminal defense, liquor licenses, violations, and zoning matters.
• Fisher Phillips LLPminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal resource partner providing free limited legal advice to CRA members on ADA Title III, international employment, labor and employment, and wage and hour law.
• Jackson LewisminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal resource partner providing free limited legal advice to CRA members on wage and hour, rest/meal periods, employee relations, service animals, I-9 audits, and crisis management.
• US FoodscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred food and beverage distributor partner providing CRA members with access to food supply, menu planning assistance, and restaurant operations consulting through Food Fanatics chefs.
• Shamrock FoodscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred food and beverage distributor partner for CRA members. Family-owned company serving customers for over 100 years.
• Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred wine and spirits distributor partner for CRA events including Drink Red Wear Red. One of nation's leading wholesale beverage alcohol distributors.
• GrubhubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood delivery partner providing CRA members with access to restaurant delivery services and technology.
• Uber EatsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood delivery partner providing CRA members with access to restaurant delivery services.
• SpotOncoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred point-of-sale and restaurant software partner. CRA member benefits include 3 months FREE Teamwork labor management software, 50% off POS hardware (up to $4,000), 40% off in-person implementation.
• UnitedHealthcarecoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred health insurance partner offering CRA member discounts on medical plans, telehealth, vision, dental, mental health solutions, and prescription cards.
• Pinnacol AssurancecoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred workers' compensation insurance partner with expertise in hospitality industry. CRA members can save 8% on already low workers comp rates.
• Society InsurancecoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred restaurant insurance coverage provider with long-standing history recognizing and resolving unique problems posed to restaurants.
• CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit community partner providing mental health resources to restaurant/hospitality industry workers. Mission to reduce stigma and address concerns long overlooked in the industry.
• Kind Therapy IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health partnership with the Colorado Restaurant Foundation helping restaurants offer mental healthcare benefits to their teams. Outpatient mental health and wellness services affordable for hospitality industry workers.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• New York State Restaurant Association: State trade association serving New York's restaurant industry with advocacy, education, and member services—a directly comparable membership and advocacy model.
• Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association: Combined state restaurant and lodging association providing advocacy, training, and member services to Pennsylvania operators—similar scope and revenue model.
• California Restaurant Association: Largest state restaurant trade association in the U.S., serving California operators with the same combination of advocacy, training, events, and member services as CRA. Direct comparable in model, mission, and revenue mix.
• Texas Restaurant Association: Major state restaurant association providing advocacy, ServSafe education, and member services to Texas operators. Same trade association model serving a similarly large industry.
• Massachusetts Restaurant Association: State trade association serving Massachusetts restaurants with advocacy, education, and member programs—directly comparable structure to CRA.
• Georgia Restaurant Association: State restaurant trade association providing advocacy, workforce development, and member programs with a directly comparable operating model to CRA.
• Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association: Combined restaurant and lodging association serving a major hospitality market with advocacy, training, and events comparable in scope to CRA.
• Illinois Restaurant Association: State restaurant association with a similar mix of advocacy, ServSafe education, events, and member benefits for Illinois operators.

Broad incumbents

• National Restaurant Association: The national parent trade association with which CRA members automatically receive dual membership. Provides federal advocacy, industry research, and shared programs (ServSafe, apprenticeship frameworks).
• National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation: National workforce development arm that licenses ServSafe and Registered Apprenticeship programs to CRA and other state associations. Key upstream program partner rather than competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/corestassoc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5Y_0bGfwo-7qwvzxhOV65Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/ColoradoRestaurantAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colorado-restaurant-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/corestaurants
• TikToktiktok.com/@colorado.prostart

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 →

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