The Voice of the Restaurant
& Foodservice Industry
Our Shared Vision
Local restaurants are the cornerstone of communities across the country. We are the nation’s second-largest private sector employer, creating first time jobs and careers in big cities and small towns. Restaurants are a place for people to gather and celebrate special moments with loved ones.
Restaurant operators face a number of challenges and opportunities in Congress and in state governments across the country. As the voice of the restaurant and foodservice industry, the National Restaurant Association advocates for federal policies that help restaurant operators and their employees thrive in a customer-driven business environment.
Lowering Swipe Fees
The Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), S. 1838/H.R. 3881, is bipartisan legislation that would drive down the high swipe fees restaurant operators pay on every credit card transaction by creating competition in the broken credit card processing market.
American swipe fees are among the highest in the world.
Unchecked by competition, U.S. swipe fees have more than doubled over the past decade and increased by over 50% since 2020.
Two companies control 80% of the U.S. credit card processing market.
Processing credit cards is a top operating expense for restaurant operators.
Take Action Now on CCCA
Swipe fees are one of the highest operating expenses for restaurant operators, just behind food and labor. Tell Congress to pass the Credit Card Competition Act to stem rising swipe fees.
The FTC is proposing a rule on so-called “junk fees” that is so expansive it would ban widely accepted restaurant fees, such as delivery and large-party service fees.
Operators will have to significantly raise prices, create multiple menus, and reconsider services like meal delivery.
The FTC estimates this rule will cost operators up to $3.5 billion to implement.
If the proposed rule is adopted as written, it will cause chaos for restaurant operators, employees and customers.
Restaurant employees, operators and a majority of customers nationwide support the tip credit. However, in Congress, and in communities around the country, there are efforts to eliminate tipped incomes through legislation and the ballot box.
The tip credit model maximizes server earnings, allows operators to hire ample waitstaff, and keeps menu prices affordable.
Tipped workers never make less than the prevailing minimum wage -- they usually make much more.
Nationally, tipped servers take home a median of $27 an hour, and the highest- paid earners make more than $41 an hour.
New bipartisan legislation would restore expired tax deductions for many operators who are investing in their restaurants.
The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, H.R. 7024, restores business interest expensing, which would help many restaurant operators lower their tax burden when investing in building upgrades, dining room remodels, expansions, and refurbishments.
The bill also accelerates “bonus depreciation” for the immediate expensing of investments, providing small businesses with more cash on hand.
These changes are essential for many restaurant operators to thrive, create jobs and support economic growth in their communities.
Take Action Now
The Association is pushing the Senate to pass this critical tax relief. Restaurant operators can help by using their voice to the Senate to pass new tax legislation benefiting restaurants.
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