The strength of the Memphis Restaurant Association has always come from our members—and the relationships behind them. If you know a restaurant, supplier, or operator who should be part of this network, now is the time to bring them in.
We’re launching a limited-time Membership Challenge to grow our community with the right people—those who care about this industry and want to be part of its future. For every new member you refer who joins, you’ll receive a $50 credit toward an MRA event or your membership renewal—and if you refer three new members, you’ll earn a free ticket to one of our upcoming events.
All referred members must complete their membership signup on the MRA website by July 1, 2026 for referrals to qualify. Please reach out to Ronna at ronna@memphisrestaurants.com to confirm the referral has signed up!
Let’s grow this together.
👉 Refer a Member Today
Challenge runs through July 1, 2026
Your MRA Event Calendar is Filling Up Fast! 🗓️
From coffee meetups to happy hours to pool tournaments — we’ve got a packed lineup to keep you connected all summer and fall. Mark your calendars and make plans to show up with your fellow MRA members!
☕ Aug 6 — Associate Coffee Club | Location TBD | 8–9am 🍺 Aug 12 — Membership Happy Hour | Flyway Brewery | 5:15–7pm 🎱 Aug 22 — Doubles Pro/AM Pool Tournament | Big League Billiards | 11am 🏨 Sep 16–18 — TNHTA GovCon | Gatlinburg Convention Center ⛳ Oct 21 — 19th Annual Thomas Boggs Golf Tournament | Galloway | 8:30am
Direct registration and info links for each event are posted below their individual graphics — click through and get signed up before spots fill up!
It’s Happy Hour, MRA Style! 🍹
Come unwind and connect with your Memphis restaurant community at our MRA Membership Happy Hour at Flyway Brewing Company!
Whether you’re a longtime member or just getting plugged in, this is the perfect low-key evening to network, share a drink, and catch up with the people who get what it’s like to work in this industry.
📅 August 12, 2026 📍 Flyway Brewing Company 🕔 5:15–7:00pm
This is a ticketed event — grab your spot using the link below before they’re gone!
We’re bringing something brand new to the table—the Inaugural MRA 9 Ball Doubles Tournament on August 22. This event pairs MRA members with skilled pool players for a competitive, high-energy tournament designed to build connections and create a completely different kind of networking experience.
Whether you’re stepping up to play or coming or sponsoring, this is one you don’t want to miss.
The policies that shape your business — from labor laws and alcohol regulations to tax structure and health codes — are decided by people. The MRAPAC exists so Memphis restaurant operators have a seat at that table. When you join, you’re investing in an organized, unified industry voice at the state and local level.
$250/yr — PAC Membership Support political advocacy for policies that protect restaurants and small businesses across Memphis.
$500/yr — PAC Voting Membership Everything in PAC Membership, plus a voting seat on the Political Action Committee — direct influence on our priorities.
Ready to join? Head to our membership page and select the PAC tier that’s right for you.
Today, the Memphis City Council passed a resolution allocating $5 million to AutoZone Park for critical infrastructure repairs and renovation planning, securing the future of the Memphis Redbirds and one of downtown’s most vital economic anchors.
The MRA was proud to stand up for our industry when it mattered. Two weeks ago, when the Council put this vote in question, the Memphis Restaurant Association sent a formal letter to every Council member urging swift approval. We made the case clearly: AutoZone Park is not just a ballpark. On game nights, it fills our restaurants, bars, hotels and event venues. Protecting it is protecting the livelihoods of thousands of hospitality workers across this city.
Your voice matters. Our industry’s voice matters. And today, it was heard.
Read more about the resolution and what comes next below.
Memphis restaurants drive downtown. It’s time we have a seat at the table. Urge the mayors who appoint DMC Board seats to add dedicated restaurant representation today.
Zoo Rendezvous is your opportunity to showcase your signature dishes, connect with new customers, and stand alongside some of Memphis’ top culinary talent at the Zoo’s largest fundraiser of the year. Spots are limited, and this event is expected to SELL OUT – so we encourage you to reserve your space early!
Suit up for Zoo Rendezvous as the Memphis Zoo transforms into a comic book world filled with heroes, villains, and larger-than-life adventures for one super-powered evening.
This action-packed event will bring together more than 3,000 guests for an evening of incredible food, entertainment, and unforgettable experiences and we hope your restaurant will join the league of culinary heroes.
What Restaurants Provide
• Sample-size servings for approximately 3,000 guests • Staff members (must be 21+; IDs checked upon arrival) • Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming Memphis Zoo as certificate holder and due by September 3. (example attached) • Food Trucks: Please let us know if you are part of the Memphis Food Truck Alliance • Extension cords (if needed), and tent (if needed for rain plan and also for shade)
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this legendary Memphis tradition to directly engage with thousands of enthusiastic food lovers from all over the area and showcase your culinary creativity in front of one of the city’s biggest crowds of the year.
Answer the call and join us for a night of heroes, villains, flavor, and adventure at Zoo Rendezvous 2026.
Don’t Wait — The Thomas Boggs Memorial Golf Tournament Always Sells Out
The 18th Annual Thomas Boggs Memorial Golf Tournament returns this October, and if you’ve attended before, you already know this is one of the most anticipated hospitality events of the year.
Teams and sponsorships are already becoming a hot commodity, and this tournament historically sells out every single year. If you’re planning to play, sponsor, entertain clients, or get your company involved, now is the time to secure your spot before availability disappears.
Beyond the competition itself, the tournament is one of the best networking days of the year for the Memphis hospitality industry, bringing together restaurant owners, operators, suppliers, distributors, and partners for a full day of connection, competition, and community.
We strongly encourage members not to wait until the last minute on team registrations or sponsorship opportunities.
The annual Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism (Gov Con), produced by the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association (TNHTA) in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development brings together representatives of the state’s travel and tourism industry, including attractions, hoteliers, restaurateurs, destination management/marketing organizations, tour operators, educational institutions offering tourism/hospitality programs, tourism-related government agencies, and suppliers of goods and services of the tourism industry.
Associate members — this one’s for you. Join us for our next MRA Associates Coffee Club meeting, a relaxed, one-hour morning gathering designed for our vendor and supplier members to connect, share leads, and support one another in the Memphis hospitality space.
Est. 2012 and still going strong — because good coffee and good connections never go out of style.
📅 August 6, 2026 🕗 8:00–9:00am 📍 Location TBD
Interested in hosting a future Coffee Club at your business? We’d love to feature you! Reach out to Ronna directly to get on the schedule.
Momentum is building across the Memphis restaurant community—and the MRA is at the center of it. From advocacy to events to industry recognition, we’re continuing to create opportunities that move our members forward.
