FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 15, 2020
TALLAHASSEE – Today, Tom Bené was announced as the new President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the largest food service trade association in the world representing more than 500,000 restaurant businesses. He will also serve as CEO of NRA’s Educational Foundation, which works to attract, empower, and advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and food service workforce.
Mr. Bené most recently served as Chairman, President, and CEO of Sysco Corporation and was previously President of PepsiCo Foodservices.
“On behalf of more than 57,000 public food service establishments across Florida, I want to extend congratulations to Tom Bené for his appointment as President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association,” said Carol Dover, President & CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Tom is known for his extraordinary leadership, character, and determination, and he is the right person to lead us through recovery. We look forward to continuing our great relationship with the NRA as we work to rebuild from the devasting impacts that COVID-19 has had on our industry.”
About FRLA: The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry which represents 1.5 million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of the membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. The association offers regulatory compliance and food safety training through SafeStaff® and FRLA’s subsidiary, RCS Training. The FRLA Educational Foundation provides industry-developed, career-building high school programs throughout the state.
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