What Restaurants Need to Succeed: Immigration Reform, Competitive Swipe Fees, and Strong Trade Policy

National Restaurant Association advances ambitious policy priorities essential to industry stability and future growth

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Restaurant Association today released ambitious federal policy priorities that when achieved, will help stabilize the industry workforce, support industry employment growth, cut costs for restaurant operators, and preserve the global supply chain. The priorities include:

The restaurant and foodservice industry is the nation's second-largest private employer, with more than 15.7 million people working at more than one million outlets and contributes more than $3.5 trillion to the national economy annually. These three policy priorities would impact restaurant owners in every community by saving them money, increasing local tax bases, and relieving workforce strain.

"These policy priorities are essential to strengthening the foundation of an industry that powers America's economy and employs 1 in 10 people nationwide," said Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association. "By advancing commonsense immigration reform, reducing swipe fee costs, and preserving a stable, affordable food supply, we can help operators manage structural costs, stabilize their workforce, and continue serving their communities."

Comprehensive immigration reform

"Restaurants are projected to create more than 100,000 jobs this year, which means reform is not just a policy priority—it's an economic imperative," said Sean Kennedy, executive vice president of Public Affairs for the National Restaurant Association. "That is why we are focused on comprehensive immigration reform that includes protection for the industry's current workforce, a fix for the work visa system, and a modern immigration system for the future."

Credit Card Competition Act

Preserve the USMCA

Kennedy added: "Preserving the USMCA keeps the restaurant food supply stable and affordable. We encourage the Administration to maintain the agreement and avoid new tariffs to help keep menu prices and operator costs in check."

The National Restaurant Association calls on Congress and the Administration to prioritize these policy solutions and support the millions of workers and restaurant owners that rely on a stable operating environment. Learn more about the Association's policy positions at restaurant.org/advocacy and follow @RestaurantsAct on social media for the latest advocacy.

About the survey: New survey results are from a National Restaurant Association survey of more than 900 restaurant operators, fielded between January 16 and February 6, 2026.

About the National Restaurant AssociationFounded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises more than 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 15.7 million employees. Together with 52 State Associations, we are a network of professional organizations dedicated to serving every restaurant through advocacy, education, and food safety. We sponsor the industry's largest trade show (National Restaurant Association Show); leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF's ProStart). For more information, visit Restaurant.org and find @WeRRestaurants on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

SOURCE National Restaurant Association