The Wisconsin Restaurant Association (WRA) was incorporated as a not-for-profit trade association in 1933. WRA is made up of approximately 3,000 diverse food service businesses representing over 7,000 locations throughout Wisconsin. By uniting in an association, members have access to information and services to help them better run their businesses. A strong membership gives WRA a more powerful voice in pursuing its mission to protect, promote and improve the restaurant industry. The WRA Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been in existence since 1987 and is one of the nation’s largest state restaurant association foundations. The Foundation serves food service operators throughout Wisconsin in its mission to promote food service as a professional career path, attract and educate future leaders of the industry and provide affordable, quality training and education for those already working in the industry. FAQ What types of businesses do the Wisconsin Restaurant Association (WRA) and the WRA Education Foundation serve? WRA membership includes a wide range of food service businesses representing virtually every size and style of restaurant in the state. Members include fine dining establishments, mom-and-pop supper clubs, small cafes, fast food outlets, corporate chain restaurants, institutional food service operations, catering businesses and hotel and motel food services. WRA has approximately 3,000 member businesses, representing over 7,000 food service locations throughout Wisconsin.

Does WRA represent only restaurants? In addition to regular restaurateur and food service operators, WRA has about 400 associate members. These are companies that provide goods and services to the restaurant industry.

Who is in charge of WRA and its Education Foundation? An elected board of directors and chairman of the board set the policies of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association. President and CEO Edward J. Lump and a staff of approximately 25 employees manage day-to-day operations. The WRA Education Foundation is governed by its own board of directors and chairperson. Along with the board, Senior Director Susan Quam and staff work to fulfill the Foundation’s mission. How are WRA and the Education Foundation funded? WRA is supported primarily by the dues of its members, who renew annually based on a sliding scale of dues. The WRA Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is one of the largest state restaurant association foundations in the nation. It has no dues-paying members and is fully funded through donations, grants, underwriting of programs and program revenue.