The Texas Restaurant Association said it looks forward to working with newly elected and returning state leaders to help Texas families and local businesses thrive, according to a Nov. 6 statement on the 2026 state election.
In the statement, the association congratulated Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa, Lieutenant Governor-elect Vikki Goodwin and all newly elected and returning leaders across the state. The association said restaurant and foodservice businesses employ nearly 1.5 million Texans, making the industry the state’s largest private-sector employer, and that about 90 percent of restaurants are small businesses operating on especially narrow profit margins.
The association said local restaurants face the same affordability pressures as the families they serve. According to the statement, half of Texas restaurant operators reported they were not profitable last year, and operators are struggling to keep menu prices affordable and support employees while absorbing significantly higher costs across nearly every facet of their businesses.
The association described restaurant issues as kitchen-table issues and said it is developing practical solutions. It said it is eager to work with policymakers to lower costs, expand access to affordable insurance and child care, rein in credit card swipe fees that it says drive up prices for everyday essentials, and make government more effective, efficient and transparent.
The statement also thanked Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dustin Burrows and all departing policymakers for their years of service to Texas.
The association said it will work alongside new and returning leaders to turn shared priorities into meaningful results for Texas families and local businesses.
Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association describes itself as the leading advocate and resource for the foodservice industry in Texas. It says it represents a $142 billion restaurant industry with more than 57,000 locations and about 1.4 million employees.