Restaurant Legislation

Founded in 1936, we have served as the trusted voice of Utah’s restaurant and hospitality industry for more than eight decades. Throughout its history, the Association has worked to protect, educate, and advocate for restaurant owners and operators while supporting the long-term vitality of one of Utah’s most important economic sectors.

The Utah Restaurant Association maintains strong, respected working relationships with state and local policymakers, including the Governor’s office, regulatory agencies, and members of the Utah Legislature. Our role is to provide informed, reliable industry perspective so that laws, regulations, and policies are developed with a clear understanding of their real-world impact on restaurants, employees, and the communities they serve.

The Association takes a proactive approach to advocacy and industry leadership. We closely monitor legislative, regulatory, and municipal activity that affects restaurant operations at the local, state, and, when appropriate, national level. Through research, collaboration, and strategic engagement, we work to advance policies that support responsible growth, workforce stability, and a strong hospitality economy in Utah.

The Utah Restaurant Association actively represents its members on a wide range of operational and regulatory issues, including local ordinances, food safety requirements, alcohol policy, licensing, and compliance matters. Whether engaging with city councils, regulatory boards, or state agencies, the Association serves as a unified and credible voice for the industry. We advocate when regulations become overly burdensome or misaligned with business realities, and we recognize public officials who value entrepreneurship and respect the principles of free enterprise.

When industry-related challenges arise, the Utah Restaurant Association is a trusted ally and often the first point of engagement. In many cases, we are already working on behalf of our members. Our Political Action Committee (PAC) supports this mission by educating policymakers and advancing legislative efforts that protect the sustainability, competitiveness, and future success of Utah’s restaurant and hospitality industry.