Texas Restaurant Association delivers wins for foodservice industry during 89th legislative session

Texas Restaurant Association delivers wins for foodservice industry during 89th legislative session

Bipartisan efforts help restaurants gain stability and secure long-term opportunities

AUSTIN, TX (June 12, 2025) - The Texas Restaurant Association is marking the close of the 89th Texas Legislative Session with a series of policy wins that bring immediate relief and long-term stability to the state's foodservice industry, including reduced costs, transparent regulations and new workforce supports. As Texas' largest private sector employer, the industry includes more than 57,000 restaurants, generates $137.8 billion in annual sales and supports over 1.4 million jobs.

"Texas restaurants are more than businesses. They are employers, economic engines and cultural anchors for every community," Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, said. "After five years of incredible economic uncertainty, we are proud to deliver practical, bipartisan reforms that will strengthen restaurants and the communities they serve immediately. And best of all, we are just getting started."

Over the 140-day session, the TRA worked with lawmakers to block or revise dozens of proposals that would have raised costs or made it harder for restaurants to operate. At the same time, the association helped pass 18 priority bills focused on lowering expenses, supporting workers and improving day-to-day operations. These efforts were based on direct input from restaurant operators across the state.

Pro-restaurant legislation passed this session includes:

• Reduced costs for government permits and property tax relief.
• Clearer and more consistent local health inspection rules.
• Flexibility for restaurants to play background music and receive overnight deliveries without sound permits.
• A new statewide online resource hub to connect employees with childcare support.
• New tools to help develop housing for middle-income Texans near restaurant hubs.

"This session, we focused on clear, actionable priorities that bring restaurants relief now and set the stage for long-term growth," Kelsey Erickson Streufert, chief public affairs officer at the Texas Restaurant Association, said. "Lawmakers responded, backing bipartisan solutions that reduce costs, streamline rules and strengthen our workforce. Importantly, these wins benefit every foodservice business-from the mom-and-pop food truck to the larger restaurant brands that are expanding in Texas-plus the employees and guests they serve. There is still work ahead, but this session proved what is possible when restaurants stay engaged and policymakers listen."

In the lead-up to the next legislative session, the TRA will continue to advance efforts at the state and federal level to fuel restaurant growth. Ongoing priorities include reducing credit card swipe fees, lowering insurance costs, strengthening disaster recovery support for restaurants and expanding access to childcare for employees with non-traditional hours. Additionally, the TRA continues to partner with the National Restaurant Association to enact pro-growth tax, trade and workforce policies in Washington, D.C.

To learn more or get involved, visit www.txrestaurant.org.

ABOUT THE TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association serves as the advocate and indispensable resource for the foodservice industry in Texas. As a leading business association, the TRA represents the state's $138 billion restaurant industry, which encompasses more than 57,000 locations and a workforce of over 1.4 million employees. Along with the Texas Restaurant Foundation, the workforce development arm of the TRA, the association proudly continues to protect, advance, and educate a growing industry as the TRA enters its 88th year. For more information, please visit https://www.txrestaurant.org.