Restaurants may be one of the largest private-sector employers in the United States, but that's nothing to take for granted. The restaurant business is a large industry of small businesses operating on narrow profit margins. Each time an interest group or a legislator proposes a new mandate or a new tax, there is the potential for restaurants to be hit hard. Restaurants need to be prepared to act — which is why the SAFE (Save American Free Enterprise) Fund exists

Save American Free Enterprise (SAFE) serves as the restaurant industry’s primary corporate fundraising platform to advocate proactively on current and emerging public affairs issues. SAFE works in cooperation with the National Restaurant Association (NRA), state restaurant associations, independent and multi-unit restaurateurs and allied partners.

Since inception in 1996, SAFE has contributed nearly $7 million to efforts to protect the industry from anti-business legislation and initiatives. SAFE has led the effort to provide financial and professional resources directly to states where and when it is needed the most to fight anti-business legislation and initiatives on key issues including, wage, health care and menu labeling.

SAFE’s long-term goals are to build a stronger public affairs capacity at both the national and state restaurant association level. SAFE is working to become more proactive and less reactive on important issues. We want SAFE positioned to fight the next war – so to speak – not the last. With the financial support from our restaurant companies and their suppliers, we will be better equipped to support proposals that will benefit restaurateurs and defend our industry when specific issues harmful to it’s livelihood surface at all levels of government. SAFE’s methods range from providing education, expert resources, and guidance to providing direct financial grants. For more information contact Chris Raymond.

Whether it is taxes, wages, health care, leave mandates or menu labeling, SAFE’s key issues are somewhat fluid from year to year. The NRA Public Affairs team works closely with SAFE and state restaurant associations to ensure these issues and others important to the industry aren't enacted across the country without industry input. If we can work to promote positive change and defeat harmful anti-restaurant business legislation, SAFE believes that for every dollar we spend, the industry will save at least two.

The restaurant industry is under attack throughout the country. SAFE relies solely on contributions from the restaurant industry. Donating to SAFE helps ensure that every fight has the leadership and financial resources to achieve success. SAFE can accept personal or corporate contributions. Contributions to the National Restaurant Association SAFE Fund are not deductible for federal income tax purposes, as they may be used for lobbying efforts. Additionally, the contributions are also not tax deductible as charitable contributions.

• Richard E. Marriott SAFE Golf Invitational, Oct. 26-28, 2009, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.