Restaurant Association Statement on the 2024 National Election

Washington, D.C. (November 6, 2024) - The following is a statement from Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association, on the 2024 national election and a Massachusetts ballot measure seeking to eliminate the tip credit:

"As individuals across the country were awaiting results of the headline races last night, we were focused on what voters had to say about issues like inflation, the price of goods - including restaurant meals - and preserving tips for employees. The message in the election was clear that voters shared those concerns.

"In Massachusetts, voters overwhelmingly supported tipped employees and restaurant owners by rejecting a misguided proposal to eliminate the tip credit. The decisive vote in Massachusetts continues an unbroken streak for tipped employees and restaurant operators who have fought for their tipped wage.

"The restaurant industry fuels the nation's economy, employing more than 15.5 million people and topping annual sales exceeding $1.1 trillion. The last five years have been tough as costs have gone up more than thirty percent for both food and labor. We continue to engage policymakers on both sides of the political aisle to improve the business vitality of restaurants.

"We congratulate President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and the newly elected members of the U.S. Senate and House. We look forward to working with members of both parties to advocate for policies that create an environment where restaurants can thrive as a cornerstone of our communities and our economy."

About the National Restaurant Association

Founded 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 15.5 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.

Vanessa Sink