Federal agencies implement and enforce laws passed by Congress and the president, but all too often, the regulations they set forth are complex, confusing, and can have unintended consequences. In every administration, the Association works with federal executive agencies to ensure restaurants share unique stakeholder perspective with regulators and ultimately prevent overly cumbersome and unfair regulations from taking effect. Take a look to see how the Association interacts with regulators.
Letter to White Houe Urging Action on Immigration | July 1, 2025
Letter from the Association and the State Restaurant Associations to the White House urging action on immigration.
Labor Priorities | June 9, 2025
Letter to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer on areas critical to the success of the restaurant industry.
CRA Markup Statement | December 11, 2023
Letter to House Committee on markup of resolution to overturn NLRB's final Joint Employer rule.
FTC Proposed Rule | November 30, 2023
If this rule is adopted as written, restaurant operators will be forced to be less transparent with their customers while rewriting their compensation models, increasing their menu prices, and overhauling established business practices.
Joint Employer Policy Brief | November 20, 2023
NLRB’s final Joint Employer rule upends existing employment policy and expands liability risk for restaurant operators.
Association urges USTR to lift tariffs on Section 301 products, including seafood | January 17, 2023
As U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai conducts a four-year review of the effectiveness of Section 301 tariffs, the Association urges Tai to lift the tariffs which are worsening inflation and creating higher food prices for restaurants and consumers.
Association, RLC issue comments on proposed changes to Joint Employer standard | December 6, 2022
The Association and the Restaurant Law Center submitted comments to the National Labor Relations Board opposing changes to the “Joint Employer Status Under the National Labor Relations Act” or 2020 Final Rule.
Association urges USTR to not conduct Section 301 investigations on Mexican produce | October 5, 2022
A Section 301 investigation would undermine the country’s relationship with one of our largest agricultural trading partners and create a substantial risk of retaliatory actions, jeopardizing this critical market for U.S. agricultural exports.
Letter urging SBA to eliminate COVID-EIDL debt and implement additional relief measures | September 26, 2022
With fewer than 1 in 4 restaurant operators able to make scheduled EIDL payments, the Association urged the SBA to eliminate EIDL accrued interest debt, lower interest rates, and create “good borrower” relief.
Letter requesting SBA release remaining RRF money | July 27, 2022
The Association urged the SBA to swiftly release $180M in unobligated RRF grants following the release of a Government Accountability Office report.
Coalition Letter to U.S. ITC on Section 301 Tariffs, Imports from China | July 8, 2022
As part of the Americans for Free Trade group, the Association shared research findings supporting tariff relief with U.S. International Trade Commission Chair David Johanson.Letter to Securities and Exchange Commission on Proposed Cybersecurity Rule | May 9, 2022
The Association opposes a proposed cybersecurity reporting regulation being considered by the SEC as it could expose restaurants to additional harms in the premature disclosure process, among others.
Formal Comments on Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) Proposed Rule | March 21, 2022
The Association submitted comments to USDA in response to the agency's notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would require the addition of labor law violations in contracts through the agency's Office of Procurement and Property Management.
Letter to White House on Port Contract Negotiations | March 15, 2022
The Association expresses concern that failed or stalled negotiations between the Pacific Maritime Association and International Longshore and Warehouse Union would lead to additional supply chain disruptions.
Letter to Treasury/IRS on ERTC Delays Causing Tax Liabilities | Feb. 23, 2022
Delays in processing ERTC refunds are triggering tax liabilities, and the Association requests that the IRS halt automated collections, delay the collection process, streamline the reasonable cause penalty abatement process, and communicate the status of amended returns and ERTC refunds.National Restaurant Association Comments on Amendment 53 | Feb. 18, 2022
The National Marine Fisheries Service’s plan to implement Amendment 53 would not only modify the Gulf red grouper catch (as well as annual catch limits and targets) but subsequently create significant harm to the entire seafood supply chain, including restaurants, and is inconsistent with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act Fishery Conservation and Management Act (“MSA”).
Letter to Treasury/IRS on ERTC Early Termination | Nov. 15, 2021
The termination of ERTC after September 30, 2021, deals a retroactive, sudden blow to restaurants currently utilizing the program during this calendar quarter. As restaurants enter a second winter with COVID-19, small businesses will now face a potential claw back of federal taxation and a compliance nightmare.
Letter to OSHA on ETS Comment Period | Nov. 9, 2021
OSHA has only provided the public with 30 days to submit input. This is an extensive rulemaking and the Association and its membership needs additional time to review and provide the agency with comprehensive comments. The additional time will allow the Association to work with our full membership to address the magnitude of issues covered in the ETS, including areas of concern.
Letter to White House on Supply Chain Solutions | Nov. 1, 2021
The Association proposed several solutions to resolve supply chain delays and improve economic conditions for restaurants.
Letter to OMB on ETS | Oct. 13, 2021
The Association shared the restaurant and foodservice industry’s perspective on the COVID-19 vaccine and testing mandate under review.
Letter to SBA on Proposed Improvements to COVID EIDL | Aug. 24, 2021
Along with other hospitality organizations, the Association urged swift adoption of proposed improvements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, including raising the cap to $2 million per loan, and waiving affiliation rules to permit multi-unit small business owners to fully access the program.
Letter to Federal Reserve Board of Governors on 12CFR | Aug. 11, 2021
The Association submitted comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing.
Letter to SBA on Rescinded RRF Grants | June 17, 2021
The Association sent a letter to the Small Business Administration and Congressional leaders on behalf of the 2,965 restaurants owners who had their Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants rescinded to comply with a federal court ruling.