Saluting 75 years

Nation's Restaurant News, Jan, 1994 by James C. Doherty

We are pleased to present the National Restaurant Association's 75th Anniversary Commemorative Issue. The foodservice industry is exciting and dynamic, and it touches the lives of every American daily, providing a valuable service to the citizens, government, cities and neighborhoods of our country.

Everyone--from the farmers, processors, manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and truckers to those who work in restaurants, office, plant and school cafeterias, hotels, hospitals and in-flight foodservice--can stand proud of the contributions they are making to their country.

The industry tallies $275 billion in sales, which represents nearly 5 percent of the Gross National Product of America, with more than 9 million direct employees, not including ancillary workers in distributors, manufacturers and processors. those figures only hint at the major impact this industry has on the economy. This is a service and retailing business that ranks at the forefront of American business today.

The National Restaurant Association, from its inception 75 years ago, has evolved to meet the needs of the foodservice industry. The articles in this issue dramatically point to the role this organization plays in regard to the foodservice industry.

The future challenges of this decade and beyond point to even more reasons why the National Restaurant Association must expand and grow to serve this industry. We are extremely grateful to the many operators across the country who have served on the NRA board and have exceeded expectations in directing the organization. Their time, talent and unselfish dedication have made the NRA what it is today.

Furthermore, we all should be complimenting the staff of the NRA who have dedicated their talents and abilities to make it the outstanding trade organization it is today.

The past 75 years of foodservice represent volumes of interesting facts and statistics, human effort, entrepreneurial spirit and drive. Despite failures, a continuing march of growth, innovation, creativity and wonderful hospitality have propelled foodservice to a level of national awareness. No other country in the world offers its citizens and foreign visitors such an array of choices in food, ambience, entertainment and convenience at real value.

The really basic element of the dynamic growth and success of foodservice is people: leaders, risk takers and hard workers who have built their individual restaurants or major multiunit chains that now have locations all over the world; people who have had a dream and a mission to succeed; indivuals who had vision and the courage to make it work; men and women who have had the drive, energy and enthusiasm to face every day with outstanding performance; people who like people, their customers and their employees; workers who are energized by the demands of their jobs and long hours; food-service managers who have many talents, from the expertise of a plumber to the regulation-planning intelligence of a politician. The skills and talents necessary for success in foodservice are many.

We honor the heroes of this industry over the past 75 years. A few are recognized in the pages of this commemorative issue.

The foodservice industry operators make a number of contributions to society beyond paying taxes. Substantial donations to charity and civic causes, complimentary meals for local charities, chef participation at fund-raisers, meals for the homeless and senior care only touch a small scope of community participation. The industry comprises good citizens who care about their neighborhoods and cities.

In my opinion the greatest contribution is the millions of jobs provided and created by the industry, the largest employer of ethnic groups, minorities, women and the handicapped, the largest employer of entry-level workers into the job market. The second-greatest contribution is the training and teaching of responsibility and skills; millions of young people have become responsible citizens and have developed high self-esteem. Many have moved on up the ranks of management, and many others have gone on to open their own restaurants. Foodservice is an exciting and rewarding industry. There is much to be proud of.

This industry is also blessed with a cooperative support system that evokes envy from people in other fields. Often manufacturers, suppliers and trade groups, such as the International Foodservice Manufacturers Associations and National Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, come to the aid of foodservice with products, financial aid and talent. Foodservice is truly an interactive and support-oriented hospitality industry.

All of us at Nation's Restaurant News salute the National Restaurant Association and its leaders and staff, both present and past. We thank the advertisers in this issue for their support, which allowed us to bring this exciting, commemorative issue to the press. We celebrate with you the great history of the foodservice industry and the wonderful men and women who have made it what it is today.