Other Restaurants Trade Associations

American Culinary Federation (ACF)

The largest professional chefs’ organization in North America, providing certification, education, competitions, and networking for culinarians across 170+ U.S. chapters.

https://www.acfchefs.org/ACF/About/Overview/default.aspx Membership: 14,000

Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF)

The national voice for self-operated healthcare and senior living foodservice, offering benchmarking, education, advocacy, and a peer community for operators and suppliers.

https://healthcarefoodservice.org/be-a-member/ Membership: 1,300

Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART)

A community of hospitality training leaders from top restaurant, foodservice, and lodging companies focused on elevating workforce performance through education and best‑practice sharing.

https://www.chart.org/ Membership: 600

Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI)

The only global association for independent foodservice consultants, connecting designers and management advisory experts with education, ethics standards, and industry networking.

https://www.fcsi.org/ Membership: 1,300

International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)

The world’s largest attractions trade association—its members include parks, FECs, zoos, museums, aquariums, and their suppliers—supporting safety, operations, professional growth, and the F&B programs inside attractions.

https://www.iaapa.org/ Membership: 8,500

International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP)

A multidisciplinary network for culinary professionals (chefs, authors, educators, media, entrepreneurs) providing awards, education, and career development.

https://www.iacpculinary.com/ Membership: 3,000

International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA)

The only U.S. trade association dedicated to foodservice distribution, representing distributor companies and allied partners through advocacy, benchmarking, and events.

https://www.ifdaonline.org/ Membership: 145

National Association for Catering and Events (NACE)

The oldest and largest U.S. association for catering and events professionals, offering CPCE certification, chapters nationwide, and education to grow careers and businesses.

https://www.nace.net/ Membership: 3,500

National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS)

The professional home for campus dining, serving colleges and universities as well as industry suppliers with benchmarking, research, and conferences.

https://www.nacufs.org/ Membership: 1,050

National Association of Concessionaires (NAC)

The trade association for concessions in venues such as stadiums, arenas, cinemas, and attractions—offering education, certification, and networking for operators and suppliers.

https://naconline.org/ Membership: 679

National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS)

The leading global association for convenience and fuel retailing—supporting retailers’ growing foodservice programs with research, advocacy, and an industry‑defining annual show.

https://www.convenience.org/ Membership: 2,900

National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)

The U.S. trade association for vending, micro markets, office coffee service, pantry and unattended retail, providing advocacy, research, and education.

https://www.namanow.org/ Membership: 1,000

National Coffee Association (NCA)

The main U.S. coffee industry trade association, providing research, advocacy, and education to roasters, retailers (including restaurants and cafes), importers, and allied companies.

https://www.ncausa.org/ Membership: 200

National Independent Concessionaires Association (NICA)

A membership‑driven organization for mobile food and retail concessionaires serving fairs, festivals, and special events across North America.

https://www.nicainc.org/ Membership: 1,150

National Restaurant Association (NRA)

The national restaurant industry’s umbrella association, providing advocacy, research, and operator resources; represents more than 500,000 U.S. restaurants via direct and state‑association membership.

https://www.restaurant.org/ Membership: 500,000

New York Food Truck Association (NYFTA)

A regional trade association uniting and advocating for food truck operators throughout NYC and surrounding areas; also facilitates food‑truck catering and events.

https://nyfta.org/ Membership: 100

North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM)

Represents manufacturers of commercial foodservice equipment and supplies, advancing the industry through advocacy, research, education, and The NAFEM Show.

https://www.nafem.org/ Membership: 500

Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)

A global association for specialty coffee professionals across the value chain—from cafes and roasters to producers—offering standards, research, training, and competitions.

https://sca.coffee/ Membership: 8,000

Specialty Food Association (SFA)

A not‑for‑profit trade association representing artisan and specialty food businesses, distributors, and retailers; producer of the Fancy Food Shows and the sofi Awards.

https://www.specialtyfood.com/ Membership: 3,600

United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG)

A nonprofit professional society for bartenders and hospitality professionals, offering education, community programs, and chapter‑based networking nationwide.

https://www.usbg.org/ Membership: 4,900