Profitability & Entrepreneurship

There isn't much wiggle room in the restaurant industry ...

With tighter profit margins than many other businesses, restaurateurs are great examples of the entrepreneurial spirit. The National Restaurant Association advocates public policies that preserve restaurants' financial health, and provides profit-building information to bolster a restaurant's bottom line.

2012 INDUSTRY FORECAST

Restaurant Industry Set to Outpace National Job Growth, Reach Record Sales in 2012

The 2012 Restaurant Industry Forecast includes economic, workforce, consumer and menu trends, as well as information for restaurant operators to overcome the current economic challenges and position themselves for future growth.

NEWS & RESOURCES

Look for the M icon to find exclusive content just for National Restaurant Association members.

Enhance your profitability with new business solutions

Full Course Business Solutions helps restaurateurs cut expenses, improve operations and maximize profitability. Full Course is built on the foundation of the first-ever unified payment-processing system for the restaurant industry. The offering is the result of a National Restaurant Association partnership with the Council of State Restaurant Associations, 40+ state restaurant associations and Heartland Payment Systems.

Get cutting-edge ideas at the NRA Show, May 5-8, Chicago

Find the latest ideas to enhance your operations at the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show. More than 70,000 fellow industry professionals attend the NRA Show to try new equipment, learn about food and beverage innovations, make new contacts and attend more than 60 free seminars. Members receive free passes.

Gain insight into specific business challenges

Join executives in your professional discipline for invaluable networking and educational opportunities. Our executive study groups meet regularly to discuss business strategies in information technology, marketing, human resources, food safety and quality assurance, nutrition, loss prevention, finance, internal audit, supply chain manangement, and risk and safety. Members receive deep discounts to the meetings.

Profit from our research

The Restaurant Industry Operations Report provides invaluable financial data on cost of sales, gross profit, direct operating expenses and other performance factors. Published annually, the Operations Report helps operators compare themselves to similar businesses. Data is broken out for quickservice restaurants and by check size for fullservice operations.

Card Processing Rate Calculator

Calculate your real card processing rates and fees to ensure you're being treated fairly by your processor.

• Use the calculator
• Learn 8 essential elements of card processing costs.