With Gratitude for Our MRA Community

To the Members of the Memphis Restaurant Association. From Ronna Pridgen, Executive Director; Alex Boggs, Vice President; and Jeffery Zepatos, President.

Dear Members:

I am thrilled to be writing this at the end of one of our most successful years in recent history as an organization.  We have grown membership, continued to carry strong financials, run multiple very successful (and fun!) events and hired a tremendous new Executive Director.  We were sad to see Sally go but are thrilled with the way Ronna has taken on this opportunity to carry on the strong traditions of the MRA.  

I wanted to thank all of our members for their support and continued involvement in the association.  I look forward to growing our membership opportunities and benefits in the future.  I also challenge all of you to bring in our peers and friends.  A thriving MRA is one of the most impactful organizations in Memphis and robust membership is key to that!

Thank you for a fantastic year and on to another!

Sincerely,

Alex Boggs

MRA Vice President

To the Members of the Memphis Restaurant Association:

As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to personally thank you for your continued support of the Memphis Restaurant Association and for the role each of you plays in strengthening our hospitality community.

This year has once again reminded us how resilient, creative, and generous our industry truly is. From our restaurant members who show up every day to serve our city, to our associate members who stand beside them as trusted partners, and our education and nonprofit members who invest in training, workforce development, and community impact: your commitment fuels the MRA’s ability to advocate, connect, and lead.

Thanks to your engagement, we were proud to host impactful, well-attended events that brought our membership together and supported our mission. The 18th Annual Thomas Boggs Memorial Golf Tournament was a tremendous success, strengthening industry relationships while raising critical support for the work of the MRA. Our MRA Family & Friends Night at Overton Park Shell offered a memorable opportunity to gather, celebrate, and connect in a uniquely Memphis setting. Throughout the year, we also expanded meaningful networking opportunities through our presence at Zoo Rendezvous, our Associate Coffee Clubs, and ongoing collaborations with fellow association partners across Memphis. Together, these efforts strengthened connections, elevated visibility, and reinforced the value of coming together as an industry.

Your support has also allowed the MRA to maintain a strong and visible presence beyond our city. This year, we were proud to represent Memphis restaurants during our Day on the Hill in Nashville, advocating directly with state leaders on issues that impact on our businesses, employees, and guests. Ensuring that Memphis’ voice is heard at the state level remains a critical part of our mission, and your involvement makes that advocacy possible.

Because of you, the MRA continues to be a trusted voice for the industry: advancing policies that matter, fostering collaboration, and elevating Memphis as a city known for its vibrant hospitality culture. None of this work happens without you, and I am deeply grateful for the trust and engagement you bring to our shared mission.

As we reflect on the year behind us, I hope you take pride in the collective impact we’ve made together. And as we look ahead, I am excited about what’s to come: new opportunities, continued growth, and an even stronger sense of community across our membership.

On a personal note, I want to wish you and your teams a peaceful holiday season and a successful, healthy, and fulfilling year ahead. Thank you for all you do for this industry, for your support for the MRA, and for the care you show to your employees, your guests, and our city every day.

It is truly an honor to serve this community.

With Warmest Regards,

Ronna Pridgen

Executive Director

Memphis Restaurant Association

Dear Members,

As we wrap up 2025, there is much to reflect on within our hospitality community. We began the year facing the possibility of a proposed “burger tax,” working to understand new tax laws affecting our businesses and staff, and continuing to navigate rising—and at times falling—food prices. While the burger tax was not passed, it remains a possibility for 2026. The new tax laws, however, ultimately proved to be a positive development for most of our employees.

Additionally, Memphis has faced challenges including declining revenues, increased federal presence, and mayoral elections. These are just some of the obstacles we have navigated together—as restaurateurs and as the MRA. One of our proudest moments as an association has been the seamless transition from our former Executive Director, Sally Fienup, to our current Executive Director, Ronna Pridgen. Ronna brings a strong background in hospitality and management, and anyone who spends time with her quickly sees that she truly knows everyone.

As we move into 2026, I look forward to continuing to work alongside Ronna. She has done an exceptional job stepping into leadership of our major events on short notice and has exciting plans to expand our programming in the year ahead. The year 2026 will be one of connection and collaboration for our industry. Be on the lookout for invitations from Ronna to one of the many happy hours we will be hosting, as well as the return of in-person meetings.

Lastly, we have worked diligently to strengthen our relationships with other industry associations and look forward to sharing the benefits of these partnerships as they continue to grow.

Thank you all for your hard work and for being leaders in making Memphis a standout hospitality community. Together, our serving style brings our community together.

Kindest Regards,

Jeffery Zepatos

MRA President