Washington – November 04, 2026 -- The National Restaurant Association has named immigration reform, the Credit Card Competition Act and stable food and beverage trade policy as its three priorities for the 120th Congress, after 42% of restaurant operators failed to turn a profit in 2025.
Operators absorb costs as customer traffic softens
Restaurants employ 15.7 million people across nearly 1 million locations, making them the second-largest private employer in the nation. They drove more than 5% of GDP in 2025, according to the Association. Customer traffic has weakened as guests scrutinize spending, and operators have often absorbed higher costs rather than pass them on.
Association CEO Michelle Korsmo said operators face "increasing costs and decreasing margins."
Swipe fees rank as the third-highest operator cost
The agenda has three planks:
- Immigration reform to help restaurants find, hire and retain workers.
- The Credit Card Competition Act, which would add competition to card processing and help lower swipe fees. For many operators these are the third-highest cost, behind food and labor.
- Stable, predictable trade policy to keep food and supply costs manageable.
The Association will also pursue policies that lower costs for consumers and operators and grow the restaurant workforce.
Common Cents Act gives operators cash-rounding protections
Congress passed the Common Cents Act this year, giving operators federal guidance on cash rounding and safe harbor protections as the penny is phased out. The Association said the outcome followed months of its advocacy.
Chief Advocacy Officer Sean Kennedy said the priorities are aimed at making restaurants cheaper to run and cheaper to visit. The Association said it will work with lawmakers from both parties.