Advocacy

Advocacy on behalf of restaurants

We promote and protect industry interests and practices through aggressive lobbying, monitoring the legislative process, initiating grassroots campaigns, boosting political action committees and fighting for policies that support the industry at all levels of government.

By eliminating damaging public policy before it becomes law, our team’s ongoing efforts have already saved the restaurant industry hundreds of millions of dollars. High labor costs, increased exposure to liability and low profit margins in a highly competitive environment leave restaurateurs particularly vulnerable to bad public policy.

Advocacy is:

• Educating lawmakers about what issues are important to you and your business.
• Sharing your story with elected officials to help them understand how the policy they create affects restaurateurs.
• Using your voice to influence change in the restaurant community.

CRA 2024 State Year-end Overview

Each year, the CRA actively works to influence legislation at both the state and local level ensuring that the restaurant community is represented in these policy debates. Take a moment to view our 2024 outcomes, with a particular focus on the many victories in the State Year-End Overview PDF.

Top Four 2024 CRA Victories

Restaurant Pricing Models
SB 1524 (Dodd)

Preserves restaurant choice- and strengthens advance disclosure requirements- as it relates to pricing models (service charges, auto-gratuities, banquet fees, etc.) that best meet the needs of operations, team-members, and guests.

CRA Position: Sponsor/Support
Outcome: Signed by Governor

Legal Reform: Private Attorney Generals Act (PAGA)
AB 2288 (Kalra)/SB 92 (Umberg)

Provides the greatest PAGA reform in the law’s 20-year history by attacking the lawsuit-first approach favored by certain trial attorneys- and resolves legitimate worker claims faster while protecting businesses and non-profits that comply.

CRA Position: Support
Outcome: Signed by Governor

Tax Increases: Unemployment Insurance
SB 1116 (Portantino)

Would have increased employer payroll taxes by expanding the state’s already debt-ridden Unemployment Insurance program to provide benefits to those that choose to walk off the job on strike.

CRA Position: Oppose
Outcome: Dead

Gift Cards: Cash Redemption
AB 1272 (Laird)

Would have required businesses to offer cash to customers, upon request, for gift cards that have a value of $25 or less and ties the future cash out threshold to increases in inflation.

CRA Position: Oppose
Outcome: Dead

Why is advocacy important?

CRA is the voice of the restaurant industry, but even though our Government Affairs team works tirelessly to advocate on your behalf, we still need your help.

• Lawmakers want to hear feedback directly from their constituents to help craft policy that reflects the needs of the community they represent.
• They need you to educate them on what it takes to operate a restaurant and the needs of the industry.
• They need to see that there are real people who are struggling every day to keep up with California’s growing list of mandates, regulations and pressures.

How can I advocate for the restaurant community?

Here are the top 5 ways you can practice advocacy:

1. Email, call, or write to your elected officials: These are the most common ways to reach out to lawmakers and voice your concerns. CRA will send you an email alert when we need you to take action on an issue, complete with contact information for your elected officials and talking points for your letter or phone call, but remember, personalization is key. Sharing specific examples of how an issue affects you will help make your voice heard.

2. Reach out to your elected officials on social media: This is the fastest, easiest way to advocate. It’s as simple as tagging them on Twitter and asking them to vote “yes” or “no” on a specific bill.

3. Write a letter to the editor: This is a great way to inform your community about an issue and influence others to take action. If your letter gets published in your local newspaper, don’t forget to send a copy to your representatives!

4. Schedule a Restaurant Roundtable meeting in your district: Organizing an in-district meeting is the most effective way to build a relationship with your representative and put a face to your name. These meetings can be at the representative’s district office or at your restaurant with fellow restaurateurs.

5. Attend CRA’s Restaurant Day at the Capitol: Please note: This event was suspended during the COVID years and remains on hold as the State Capitol building is being renovated and the temporary space is not suitable for groups of our size. Restaurant Day is CRA’s biggest advocacy event of the year. It’s the one day of the year where restaurateurs from all over California come together to show strength in numbers at the State Capitol and share their stories with legislators.

Together, we can make an impact. To get started with your advocacy efforts, use the boxes below to find your officials, search for legislation, and sign up for CRA’s email alerts. You can also contact governmentaffairs@calrest.org or call 916.431.2774 for help on how to get more involved.