Texas Restaurant Association 2026 Advocacy Survey

Food and beverage businesses from across Texas (restaurants, bars, caterers, movie theaters, suppliers, etc.) are encouraged to complete this survey to help the Texas Restaurant Association create our agenda for the state's legislative session that begins in January 2027. Your feedback is critical to ensuring our priorities align with the industry we serve, so thank you!

All answers are confidential, and responses will only be reported anonymously. The survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete.

If you have any questions, please send us a note at advocacy@txrestaurant.org. Thank you!

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* 1. Business Name

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* 2. What type of business do you operate? If you have multiple businesses, please check each that applies.

Independent restaurant with 1-3 locations

Independent restaurant with more than 3 locations

Corporate-owned chain restaurant

Franchisee with 1-3 locations

Franchisee with more than 3 locations

Caterer

Bar

Movie theater

Allied partner or supplier

Food truck

Other (please specify)

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* 3. If you operate a restaurant, which style best describes your restaurant? If you have multiple restaurants, please check each that applies.

Fine dining

Casual / family dining

Quick service

Fast food

Other (please specify)

N/A

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* 4. Which setting best describes where your business is located? If you have multiple locations, please check each that applies.

Urban

Suburban

Rural

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* 5. Please rank these topics from most to least concerning for your business right now (top = biggest threat to my business).

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* 6. Are there any other major challenges that you're facing that government policies can impact?

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* 7. Do you believe these policy changes would benefit your business?

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* 8. Are there any specific policy changes that you think the TRA should prioritize at the local, state, or federal level?

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* 9. Have you lost revenue due to a disaster (hurricane, wildfires, etc.)? If so, were you able to access the capital you needed to maintain payroll and meet other immediate financial needs?

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* 10. On average, how many hours per month does your business spend understanding and complying with government regulations? (For example: completing tax paperwork, I-9 forms, mandated employee trainings, etc.)

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* 11. On average, how many dollars per month does your business spend understanding and complying with government regulations? (For example: permit fees and taxes)

	No benefit	Minimal benefit	Moderate benefit	Significant benefit
Outlawing reservation pirates (ie unauthorized reselling)	Outlawing reservation pirates (ie unauthorized reselling) No benefit	Outlawing reservation pirates (ie unauthorized reselling) Minimal benefit	Outlawing reservation pirates (ie unauthorized reselling) Moderate benefit	Outlawing reservation pirates (ie unauthorized reselling) Significant benefit
More childcare options for workers	More childcare options for workers No benefit	More childcare options for workers Minimal benefit	More childcare options for workers Moderate benefit	More childcare options for workers Significant benefit
More competition or transparency in the credit card market	More competition or transparency in the credit card market No benefit	More competition or transparency in the credit card market Minimal benefit	More competition or transparency in the credit card market Moderate benefit	More competition or transparency in the credit card market Significant benefit
Bridge loan funding to help businesses impacted by a disaster	Bridge loan funding to help businesses impacted by a disaster No benefit	Bridge loan funding to help businesses impacted by a disaster Minimal benefit	Bridge loan funding to help businesses impacted by a disaster Moderate benefit	Bridge loan funding to help businesses impacted by a disaster Significant benefit
Clear regulatory framework allowing restaurants to sell hemp beverages	Clear regulatory framework allowing restaurants to sell hemp beverages No benefit	Clear regulatory framework allowing restaurants to sell hemp beverages Minimal benefit	Clear regulatory framework allowing restaurants to sell hemp beverages Moderate benefit	Clear regulatory framework allowing restaurants to sell hemp beverages Significant benefit
Fewer, or less expensive, restaurant permits	Fewer, or less expensive, restaurant permits No benefit	Fewer, or less expensive, restaurant permits Minimal benefit	Fewer, or less expensive, restaurant permits Moderate benefit	Fewer, or less expensive, restaurant permits Significant benefit
Creating more transparency for the third-party delivery market	Creating more transparency for the third-party delivery market No benefit	Creating more transparency for the third-party delivery market Minimal benefit	Creating more transparency for the third-party delivery market Moderate benefit	Creating more transparency for the third-party delivery market Significant benefit
More consistency / communication re: health inspection rules	More consistency / communication re: health inspection rules No benefit	More consistency / communication re: health inspection rules Minimal benefit	More consistency / communication re: health inspection rules Moderate benefit	More consistency / communication re: health inspection rules Significant benefit
Streamlined permitting process for new construction / major renovations	Streamlined permitting process for new construction / major renovations No benefit	Streamlined permitting process for new construction / major renovations Minimal benefit	Streamlined permitting process for new construction / major renovations Moderate benefit	Streamlined permitting process for new construction / major renovations Significant benefit
Greater transparency and communication about required permits	Greater transparency and communication about required permits No benefit	Greater transparency and communication about required permits Minimal benefit	Greater transparency and communication about required permits Moderate benefit	Greater transparency and communication about required permits Significant benefit
More schools teaching Texas ProStart	More schools teaching Texas ProStart No benefit	More schools teaching Texas ProStart Minimal benefit	More schools teaching Texas ProStart Moderate benefit	More schools teaching Texas ProStart Significant benefit
Protecting restaurants from new labeling requirements that could apply to menus, receipts, etc.	Protecting restaurants from new labeling requirements that could apply to menus, receipts, etc. No benefit	Protecting restaurants from new labeling requirements that could apply to menus, receipts, etc. Minimal benefit	Protecting restaurants from new labeling requirements that could apply to menus, receipts, etc. Moderate benefit	Protecting restaurants from new labeling requirements that could apply to menus, receipts, etc. Significant benefit
Protecting restaurants' loyalty programs from consumer privacy regulations	Protecting restaurants' loyalty programs from consumer privacy regulations No benefit	Protecting restaurants' loyalty programs from consumer privacy regulations Minimal benefit	Protecting restaurants' loyalty programs from consumer privacy regulations Moderate benefit	Protecting restaurants' loyalty programs from consumer privacy regulations Significant benefit
Protecting the tip credit	Protecting the tip credit No benefit	Protecting the tip credit Minimal benefit	Protecting the tip credit Moderate benefit	Protecting the tip credit Significant benefit

Texas Restaurant Association 2026 Advocacy Survey

Question Title

* 1. Business Name

Question Title

* 2. What type of business do you operate? If you have multiple businesses, please check each that applies.

Question Title

* 3. If you operate a restaurant, which style best describes your restaurant? If you have multiple restaurants, please check each that applies.

Question Title

* 4. Which setting best describes where your business is located? If you have multiple locations, please check each that applies.

Question Title

* 5. Please rank these topics from most to least concerning for your business right now (top = biggest threat to my business).

Question Title

* 6. Are there any other major challenges that you're facing that government policies can impact?

Question Title

* 7. Do you believe these policy changes would benefit your business?

Question Title

* 8. Are there any specific policy changes that you think the TRA should prioritize at the local, state, or federal level?

Question Title

* 9. Have you lost revenue due to a disaster (hurricane, wildfires, etc.)? If so, were you able to access the capital you needed to maintain payroll and meet other immediate financial needs?

Question Title

* 10. On average, how many hours per month does your business spend understanding and complying with government regulations? (For example: completing tax paperwork, I-9 forms, mandated employee trainings, etc.)

Question Title

* 11. On average, how many dollars per month does your business spend understanding and complying with government regulations? (For example: permit fees and taxes)

Question Title

* 12. Is there any other feedback that you want to share with us?