The National Restaurant Association has issued a statement in response to the 2024 national election, congratulating President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance on their victory. The statement, from National Restaurant Association President & CEO Michelle Korsmo, highlights the industry’s focus on economic issues that impact both restaurant owners and employees and commends down-ballot results in Massachusetts.
Michelle Korsmo noted that, as Americans awaited election results, the National Restaurant Association prioritized watching voter responses on issues affecting the industry directly, such as inflation, rising goods prices, and policies supporting tipped employees. Korsmo expressed appreciation for voters’ decision in Massachusetts to reject a ballot measure that would have eliminated the tip credit. This outcome, she emphasized, aligns with the interests of tipped employees and restaurant owners who had strongly advocated for retaining the credit, preserving a wage model that has benefited employees and businesses alike.
The restaurant industry, which employs over 15.5 million people and generates more than $1.1 trillion in annual sales, has faced significant challenges over the past five years due to rising costs in food and labor, which have escalated by over 30%. In light of this, Korsmo emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration to foster a supportive environment for restaurants, which are essential contributors to local communities and the U.S. economy.
“We congratulate President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, as well as newly elected members of the U.S. Senate and House,” Korsmo stated. “We look forward to working with leaders from both parties to advocate for policies that will support the resilience and growth of restaurants as cornerstones of our communities.”
