Texas Restaurant Association Announces Acquisition of the Texas Bar & Nightclub Alliance

Texas Restaurant Association Announces Acquisition of the Texas Bar & Nightclub Alliance, Bringing New Strength and Opportunity to Texas Hospitality

Expanded Membership, Unified Advocacy, and a More Powerful 2026 Texas Restaurant Show

AUSTIN, TX (December 11, 2025) - The Texas Restaurant Association is excited to announce a major milestone that expands and unifies the voice of the Texas hospitality community. The association has officially acquired the Texas Bar & Nightclub Alliance (TBNA), a long-standing organization that has championed the success of Texas bars, nightclubs, and alcohol serving establishments for many years. Their leadership and commitment have shaped a stronger nightlife industry across the state, and the Texas Restaurant Association is proud to honor and build on that legacy.

"Bringing the Texas Bar & Nightclub Alliance into the TRA family unifies two powerful communities that share the same mission: protecting, strengthening, and growing Texas hospitality," said Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., President & CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association. "We are grateful for TBNA's years of service and look forward to expanding the support system for all operators who serve alcohol. Together, we will drive even greater impact for our industry."

With this acquisition, TBNA members will now transition into full membership within the Texas Restaurant Association. They will gain the advantages and resources that thousands of restaurant operators already rely on. Key benefits include consistent and influential advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels, industry leading training and certifications for alcohol service and food safety, and exclusive product and service discounts that lower costs and strengthen operations. This transition ensures that every member, whether operating a bar, nightclub, or full-service restaurant, has access to the tools they need to grow and stay ahead in a competitive market.

The integration also creates an expanded environment for industry education. Through the Texas Restaurant Foundation, members and their teams will have access to professional development programs, leadership training, workforce solutions, and certification pathways that support long term success. By bringing these communities together, the Texas Restaurant Association is creating a more comprehensive ecosystem for operators who serve alcohol and for those who rely on nightlife traffic to grow their business.

As part of the transition, the Texas Bar & Nightclub Convention will be incorporated into the 2026 Texas Restaurant Show, transforming the event into the most robust gathering yet for bars, nightclubs, and restaurants serving alcohol. This move expands both the breadth and depth of the show's offerings, giving attendees a more complete marketplace of suppliers, innovations, and educational content.

"The addition of the Texas Bar & Nightclub Convention takes the 2026 Texas Restaurant Show to a new level," said Tony Abruscato, Chief Marketing Officer of the Texas Restaurant Association. "We're expanding products, services, and education tailored to bars, nightclubs, and alcohol serving establishments. With attendance pushing eight thousand, exhibitors and attendees can expect stronger engagement, more buyers, and more opportunities to grow."

The 2026 Texas Restaurant Show, already recognized as the largest foodservice trade event in the Southwest, will now offer an even wider platform for exhibitors specializing in bar equipment, beverage programs, nightlife technology, and alcohol service solutions. Attendees will find expanded insights on compliance, alcohol safety, staffing, and operational excellence. The combined presence of restaurant, bar, and nightlife operators creates an unmatched marketplace for networking, purchasing, and business development.

The Texas Restaurant Association is proud to welcome TBNA members and looks forward to supporting them through this transition. Together, the newly expanded membership base will have a stronger voice in policy discussions, greater access to industry resources, and new opportunities to drive growth in communities across the state.

This acquisition marks a strategic step toward building the most inclusive and impactful hospitality association in Texas. It strengthens the future of the industry and sets the stage for unprecedented collaboration between restaurant and nightlife operators.

More details will be shared in the coming weeks and months. The Texas Restaurant Association looks forward to delivering new value, deeper engagement, and an even more powerful 2026 Texas Restaurant Show.

For more information, please visit 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 www.txrestaurant.org.