LRA Advocacy
Protecting the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry
The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) has significantly strengthened its Advocacy Team over the last decade to effectively navigate the complex and highly regulated environment in which restaurants operate. Our Advocacy efforts extend beyond the walls of any single establishment, focusing on the broader climate that impacts the restaurant and hospitality industries.
Restaurants often find themselves at the center of regulatory attention, targeted for increases in taxes, fees, labor, insurance, and other regulatory burdens. The LRA Advocacy Team actively engages with lawmakers and policymakers, educating them on the unique business model of restaurants and ensuring that the industry is fairly represented. Our team works year-round to prevent harmful legislation, support beneficial policies, and secure positive outcomes for our members.
Explore the highlights of our recent legislative successes and understand how the LRA Advocacy Team continues to be the voice of Louisiana's restaurants.
1. Legislative Wins
- Successfully shapes legislation to protect and advance the restaurant and hospitality industry.
- Team works year-round to block harmful bills and support beneficial policies.
- Secures favorable outcomes for LRA members.
- Defeats restrictive regulations and promoted fair laws supporting business growth.
- Demostrates the LRA's commitment to representing Louisiana’s restaurants at the state Capitol.
2. Policy Education
- Educates policymakers on the unique challenges of the restaurant industry is central to LRA’s advocacy.
- LRA provides government officials and regulators insight into the restaurant business model.
- Addresses misconceptions and prevents unintended consequences of well-intentioned policies.
- LRA shapes a regulatory environment that supports the success of restaurants.
3. Targeted Advocacy
- LRA focuses on opposing mandates and ensuring regulatory fairness.
- The Advocacy Team seeks collaboration to develop solutions for the restaurant industry.
- Ensures regulations are fair, clear, and aligned with industry realities.
- LRA's targeted advocacy creates a more favorable business climate for members.
Advocacy News
Latest News The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is proud to recognize Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski as the 2026 Restaurateurs of the Year, the Association’s highest honor recognizing outstanding leadership, excellence, and commitment to Louisiana’s restaurant industry. For decades, Link and Stryjewski have helped shape Louisiana’s culinary reputation through award-winning restaurants, unwavering standards of hospitality,…
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Latest News DIRECTV announced a new multi-year agreement with EverPass Media to distribute NFL Sunday Ticket via satellite and streaming to bars, restaurants and commercial venues nationwide through DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS beginning with the 2026 NFL season. Under the agreement, DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS will serve as EverPass’ sales, marketing and commercial distribution partner for NFL…
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Latest News Updated August 4, 2026 Act 751 took effect on Saturday, August 1, prohibiting a restaurant or any merchant from imposing any surcharge on a transaction processed as a debit card. The Act defines a surcharge as “any additional amount of money” imposed on the customer who uses a debit card and expressly provides…
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