A Unified Voice for a New Era: The Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association

For the past eight years, I’ve worked alongside Connecticut restaurant owners and their staff as we navigated some of the most difficult years in the history of our state’s hospitality industry.

During that time, and despite the many hurdles we’ve faced, the Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) has grown into a robust, statewide community of more than 2,000 members.

Now, we’re taking our next big step together.

The positive trajectory of the CRA has been born out of years of tireless advocacy and a deliberate effort to redefine how Connecticut’s culinary landscape shows up both locally and on the national stage. But to anyone working in the restaurant industry, we know that it’s never been just about restaurants – our work is intrinsically tied to so many overlapping partner businesses, all operating together as part of a broader hospitality ecosystem.

For that reason, after many months of thoughtful discussion and planning, our association recently voted to expand as the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association (CRHA).

This change reflects the modern realities of our industry. Restaurants, bars, and caterers do not exist in a separate silo from hotels, inns and other types of accommodations; we are part of a single, integrated industry, with fundamentally similar goals. Whether it is a boutique hotel with a premier dining room or a local tavern supporting the tourism trail, the hospitality sector is the backbone of this state’s economy. Together, we are a sector that contributes over $1 billion annually in state taxes through meals, beverages, and occupancy.

The Strength of Unity

The decision to unify now as the CRHA is strategic and timely. Our members are currently navigating a perfect storm of rising costs, labor shortages, and persistent economic uncertainty. While we have made significant strides, we have also faced a lack of consistent, meaningful support at the state level. By bringing hotels and restaurants under one banner, we increase our relevance with lawmakers, the media, and the public.

Connecticut is the 33rd state to adopt this combined model, joining a national trend that recognizes the shared challenges of this niche sector. This unified front will give us the scale to fight more effectively for hospitality as a whole.

Shared Challenges and Solutions

From the rising impact of credit card processing fees (now the third-highest overall cost for operators) to labor shortages and the ongoing debate over our state’s tip credit system, our policy priorities are more aligned than ever. A unified CRHA allows us to speak with a louder voice on issues like tourism funding, which has seen drastic cuts in recent years despite our industry’s massive contributions to the state’s coffers. In recent years, the CRA has advocated for a minimum $20 million state tourism budget to ensure that Connecticut remains a world-class destination for dining and travel – a goal that if realized will benefit all hospitality businesses in the state, and their tens of thousands of local employees.

A Vision for the Future

With this growth comes significant change, but our members will remain at the absolute core of our mission. This evolution will only enhance the tools, training, and services we provide, helping thousands of small businesses grow and flourish in Connecticut. To make sure our work is informed by the full diversity of our members, we’re also expanding our association leadership, adding numerous voices from the lodging sector directly to our board.

The CRHA is and will remain a member-driven association. We are currently in a planning phase that includes extensive stakeholder input to ensure our new brand reflects the lived experience of those on the front lines. Hospitality is a calling. It is about service, community, and resilience. By unifying our voices, we are not just surviving current economic headwinds; we are positioning ourselves to lead Connecticut’s future.

Connecticut’s hospitality professionals have always known that we are better when we work in tandem. By bringing hospitality and dining together under one association, we are strengthening representation across the broader industry and advancing a shared vision for a stronger future.