Taste, sip, and vote at NC’s top culinary competition—Aug. 4! Experience the Ultimate Culinary Competition Join us on Monday, August 4, 2025, at Bay 7 in Durham for the Grand Finale of NCRLA’s Chef Showdown—North Carolina’s premier culinary and mixology competition. Presented by Got To Be NC, …
NCRLA
Rally in Raleigh
Register now for an evening of connection, advocacy, and engagement at the Merrimon-Wynne House in Downtown Raleigh on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Rally in Raleigh provides an exclusive platform to meet North Carolina legislators one-on-one and discuss critical legislative issues that …
North Carolina Businesses Urge Passage of House Bill 650 to End Unfair Swipe Fees on Sales Tax
RALEIGH, NC – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) and the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) are calling on state lawmakers to pass House Bill 650—a commonsense measure that would end the practice of charging credit card "swipe fees" on sales taxes that …
NCRLA Urges Southport Leaders to Rethink Regressive Meals Tax
RALEIGH, NC (March 18, 2024) — The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) has expressed firm opposition to the City of Southport’s request to impose a 1% prepared food and beverage tax. In a letter sent to the Southport Board of Aldermen, NCRLA warned that the proposal would …
Reflecting on Five Years Since COVID-19
Our Industry's Resilience and Recovery This month marks a solemn yet significant milestone – five years since our restaurants and hotels faced unprecedented closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we reflect on this anniversary, we am filled with immense pride in how our industry demonstrated …
Hospitality Excellence Shines at NCRLA 2025 Stars of the Industry Awards
DURHAM, N.C. (February 25, 2025) – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), the unifying voice of North Carolina’s restaurant, foodservice and lodging industry, proudly hosted its annual Stars of the Industry Awards last night. Held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham, the …
North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association President and CEO Lynn Minges Announces Retirement at End of 2025
Raleigh, N.C. (February 24, 2025) – After 13 years successfully leading one of North Carolina’s largest and most influential trade associations, advancing and protecting all aspects of the state’s hospitality industry, North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s (NCRLA) President and CEO …
Jason Smith Elected Chair of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Board
Durham, N.C. (February 24, 2025) – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) today announced the election of Jason Smith, owner of 18 Restaurant Group, as chair of its board of directors. Smith, a Raleigh native and accomplished restaurateur, was officially sworn in during …
Culinary and Mixology Experts Awarded Top Honors at 2024 NCRLA Chef Showdown
Our chefs and mixologists supported over 500 North Carolina farmers and producers using local ingredients more than 650 times. DURHAM, N.C. (August 27, 2024) – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), the driving force behind North Carolina’s $34.9 billion restaurant, …
