Washington, D.C. (February 20, 2025) – What began in March 2020 as a conference call of 18 leaders of the restaurant and bar community has evolved into the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC), a powerful national movement with dedicated members who are fighting for the future of independent restaurants and bars and the strength and longevity of this industry. The IRC marks its fifth anniversary and enters the legislative year with groundbreaking advocacy initiatives and a newly expanded Board of Directors.

“As part of our bold vision for 2025, the IRC is tackling one of the industry’s most persistent challenges: wages. The coalition is committed to working with industry leaders, policymakers, and independent restaurant owners to build a more resilient and equitable future—one that values the people who power the industry,” says Erika Polmar, Executive Director. “This year, the IRC will engage in nationwide discussions to explore sensible approaches to compensation that offers restaurant workers a livable wage while providing independent restaurant and bar owners with the tools they need to operate successfully. Additionally, the coalition will take on other critical issues facing the industry, such as business interruption insurance and the predatory practices of third-party delivery apps, ensuring independent restaurants and bars can thrive in an evolving and competitive marketplace.”

“Since its formation, the IRC has fought tirelessly for long-term protections that help independent restaurants and bars keep their doors open,” says Cheetie Kumar, James Beard Foundation Award-nominated chef/owner of Ajja in Raleigh, NC, and IRC Vice President and Board Member. “As a national organization of independent small business owners, we are united in our effort to educate federal lawmakers on the unique requirements of our industry. The IRC listens to the needs of our community and pushes for smart, lasting policies that create real, measurable change for independent restaurants and bars nationwide.”

The IRC has proven that when independent restaurants unite, they drive real change. Over the past five years, the organization has:

• Secured the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund delivering critical relief to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Led the charge against reservation piracy with the introduction of the Supporting Equal Access to Tables Act of 2024 (SEAT Act) to combat third-party platforms exploiting restaurant reservations.
• Scored a major win with the FTC, ensuring legitimate, disclosed Restaurant Service Charges were removed from the final 2024 Junk Fees Ruling (after being included in the first draft) protecting creative ways some restaurants structure compensation.
• Fought for fairer payment processing by championing the Credit Card Competition Act, taking on big banks and excessive swipe fees, one of the leading costs for restaurants.
• Pushed for smarter, industry-focused policies, including Childcare Tax Credits and Immigration Reform, to strengthen the restaurant workforce and support independent business owners.

As the IRC gears up for its next chapter, it has expanded its all-volunteer Board of Directors, bringing new voices and perspectives from across the country.  This dynamic leadership team includes:

• Oluwatoyin Adewumi, Executive Chef & Owner, TamBo’s Kitchen Avon, MA
• Nate Adler, Owner, RAD Restaurants Brooklyn, NY
• Tyler Akin, Founder, Form-Function Hospitality, Philadelphia, PA
• Codi Bates, Owner/Operator, Bates Co. Lawrence & Topeka, KS
• Bob Bennett, Head Chef, Zingerman’s Roadhouse Ann Arbor, MI
• Stella Dennig, Co-Owner & GM, Daytrip Oakland, CA
• Dan Jacobs, Chef & Owner, DanDan & EsterEv, Milwaukee, WI
• Cheetie Kumar, Chef & Owner, Ajja, Raleigh, NC
• Irene Li, CEO, Prepshift Boston, MA
• David Nayfeld, Author, Chef & Co-Founder, Back Home Hospitality, San Francisco, CA
• Adam Orman, Co-Owner, L'Oca d'Oro & Bambino, Austin, TX
• Kristen Rauch, Executive Director, Eat Denver, Denver, CO
• Hollis Wells Silverman, Owner, Eastern Point Collective Washington, D.C.
• Rosa Thurnher, Owner, El Ponce Atlanta, GA
• Corrie Wang, Owner/CFO, Jackrabbit Filly & King BBQ North Charleston, SC

“Individually, we can create great workplaces for our teams, who make up the largest workforce in the private sector,” says Adam Orman, Co-Owner, L'Oca d'Oro & Bambino, Austin, TX. “But Independent bars and restaurants need the support of lawmakers and small business-friendly policy to ensure that we can continue to survive and thrive.  The IRC is here for that.”

For more information about the IRC, sign up for newsletters and/or to become a member, please visit the website.

About the Independent Restaurant Coalition

In March 2020, the restaurant and bar community formed the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) to save the independent restaurants and bars from the devastating impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic. We continue to fight to create meaningful change for independent restaurants and bars nationwide by providing strong advocacy centered on making sure that independent businesses are being seen, heard and supported by federal policy makers. For more information or to sign up for newsletters, please visit independentrestauarantcoalition.com

IRC press contacts: Sarah Abell and Paige Hettinger, [email protected]