At the Table Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:44:19 -0400 http://www.txrestaurant.org en-us © 2026 At the Table yes Texas, USA b49e6126-cee3-5870-83fd-504b8854db42 Texas Restaurant Association episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Restaurant, Texas, Association, Foodservice, Restaurateurs, Operators, Advocacy, Membership, TRA, Member, NRA, National Texas Restaurant Association https://storage.buzzsprout.com/6orlc4w58mr79wwb5i24i30i2xn4?.jpg At the Table http://www.txrestaurant.org 1.12 – Live from the Capitol with Emily & Kelsey – 88th TX Lege Session Ending 1.12 – Live from the Capitol with Emily & Kelsey – 88th TX Lege Session Ending Join Emily & Kelsey as they walk us through the last days of this 88th Texas Legislative Session, and the wins coming to the industry.

]]> Join Emily & Kelsey as they walk us through the last days of this 88th Texas Legislative Session, and the wins coming to the industry.

]]> Texas Restaurant Association Buzzsprout-12927666 Fri, 26 May 2023 15:00:00 -0500 665 1 12 full false Ep 1.11 — LIVE from the Capitol 88th TX Lege Session Update 1.4 Ep 1.11 — LIVE from the Capitol 88th TX Lege Session Update 1.4 Emily & Kelsey coming to you live from the Capitol on April 19, 2023 after a lengthy floor discussion and vote on the critical Regulatory Consistency bill. Hear the latest from the House Floor, and what happens next.

]]> Emily & Kelsey coming to you live from the Capitol on April 19, 2023 after a lengthy floor discussion and vote on the critical Regulatory Consistency bill. Hear the latest from the House Floor, and what happens next.

]]> Texas Restaurant Association Buzzsprout-12685208 Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:00:00 -0500 354 1 11 full false Ep 1.10 — LIVE from the Capitol with Emily & Kelsey — 1.3 Ep 1.10 — LIVE from the Capitol with Emily & Kelsey — 1.3 Emily & Kelsey come to you live from the Texas State Capitol with an update on the 88th Texas Legislative session. This week is critical to our agenda, with hearings on regulatory consistency, the restaurant clean up bill, and swipe fees.

Hear more about what's happening in Austin, and lend your voice to ours on these critical issues by completing the below calls to action!

Contact your Legislator via our P2A platform and let your voice be heard:

Support Regulatory Consistency

Support Swipe Fee Fairness

]]> Emily & Kelsey come to you live from the Texas State Capitol with an update on the 88th Texas Legislative session. This week is critical to our agenda, with hearings on regulatory consistency, the restaurant clean up bill, and swipe fees.

Hear more about what's happening in Austin, and lend your voice to ours on these critical issues by completing the below calls to action!

Contact your Legislator via our P2A platform and let your voice be heard:

Support Regulatory Consistency

Support Swipe Fee Fairness

]]> Texas Restaurant Association Buzzsprout-12596708 Wed, 05 Apr 2023 15:00:00 -0500 281 1 10 full false Ep 1.9 — At the Table Talking Women Entrepreneurs and Venture Capital Access Ep 1.9 — At the Table Talking Women Entrepreneurs and Venture Capital Access In the second of our special episodes celebrating Women's History Month, we welcome to the table Dawn Lafreeda, President & CEO of Den-Tex Central Inc., one of Denny's largest franchisee operators, and Shoshana Vernick, Managing Director of Avathon Capital. Dawn appears in an upcoming documentary, "Show Her the Money", that brings awareness to the fact that less than 2% of venture capital backed businesses are women-owned.

We are thrilled to have two such incredible women of industry, entrepreneurs, and passionate advocates joining us on this episode where we discuss "Show Her the Money", as well as how this impacts women-owned restaurants and the future of our industry.

Referenced Links from the Episode:

Show Her the Money Preview
San Antonio Fiesta

]]> In the second of our special episodes celebrating Women's History Month, we welcome to the table Dawn Lafreeda, President & CEO of Den-Tex Central Inc., one of Denny's largest franchisee operators, and Shoshana Vernick, Managing Director of Avathon Capital. Dawn appears in an upcoming documentary, "Show Her the Money", that brings awareness to the fact that less than 2% of venture capital backed businesses are women-owned.

We are thrilled to have two such incredible women of industry, entrepreneurs, and passionate advocates joining us on this episode where we discuss "Show Her the Money", as well as how this impacts women-owned restaurants and the future of our industry.

Referenced Links from the Episode:

Show Her the Money Preview
San Antonio Fiesta

]]> Texas Restaurant Association Buzzsprout-12559220 Fri, 31 Mar 2023 18:00:00 -0500 3314 1 9 full false Ep 1.8 — LIVE from the Capitol — 03.13.2023 — 88th TX Lege Session Update Ep 1.8 — LIVE from the Capitol — 03.13.2023 — 88th TX Lege Session Update Another in a special series of epsiodes where we leave the table and take you to the Texas State Capitol live with TRA President & CEO, Emily Williams Knight, and Chief Public Affairs Officer, Kelsey Erickson Streufert, with the latest happenings in the 88th Texas Legislative Session.

In this update, hear about several hearings happening this week on bills ranging from swipe fees to regulatory consistency and public nuisance preemption. Several of our members testified today or will this week to support bringing your voice to the conversation, ensuring legislators understand what we need for our industry.

We will continue to bring you updates regularly throughout the Legislative Session on what is happening with our agenda and efforts to protect and advance the Texas restaurant industry.

Learn more about the TRA's TX Lege Session Agenda and how your can get involved here: www.txrestaurant.org/advocacy.

]]> Another in a special series of epsiodes where we leave the table and take you to the Texas State Capitol live with TRA President & CEO, Emily Williams Knight, and Chief Public Affairs Officer, Kelsey Erickson Streufert, with the latest happenings in the 88th Texas Legislative Session.

In this update, hear about several hearings happening this week on bills ranging from swipe fees to regulatory consistency and public nuisance preemption. Several of our members testified today or will this week to support bringing your voice to the conversation, ensuring legislators understand what we need for our industry.

We will continue to bring you updates regularly throughout the Legislative Session on what is happening with our agenda and efforts to protect and advance the Texas restaurant industry.

Learn more about the TRA's TX Lege Session Agenda and how your can get involved here: www.txrestaurant.org/advocacy.

]]> Texas Restaurant Association Buzzsprout-12432818 Mon, 13 Mar 2023 15:00:00 -0500 413 1 8 full false Ep 1.7 — At the Table with TRA President & CEO, Emily Williams Knight Ep 1.7 — At the Table with TRA President & CEO, Emily Williams Knight Join us At the Table as the TRA kicks-off celebrating Women's History Month with a special candid conversation with our President & CEO, Emily Williams Knight. Ben and Joe talk with Emily about her career, early days at the TRA, what it was like to fight for Texas' restaurants throughout the pandemic, where we are headed as an industry, and a few behind the scenes details about the Association's leader. Emily is a staunch and passionate advocate for women, children, and veterans. Learn more about the TRA's advocacy plans for this 88th Texas Legislative Session and how we will continue to champion the needs of restaurant operators and their employees across the State.

Important resources mentioned in the episode:

Download the TRA App

Learn more about TRA Advocacy

Explore TRA Member Benefits

]]> Join us At the Table as the TRA kicks-off celebrating Women's History Month with a special candid conversation with our President & CEO, Emily Williams Knight. Ben and Joe talk with Emily about her career, early days at the TRA, what it was like to fight for Texas' restaurants throughout the pandemic, where we are headed as an industry, and a few behind the scenes details about the Association's leader. Emily is a staunch and passionate advocate for women, children, and veterans. Learn more about the TRA's advocacy plans for this 88th Texas Legislative Session and how we will continue to champion the needs of restaurant operators and their employees across the State.

Important resources mentioned in the episode:

Download the TRA App

Learn more about TRA Advocacy

Explore TRA Member Benefits

]]> Texas Restaurant Association Buzzsprout-12388222 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 17:00:00 -0600 2448 1 7 full false Ep 1.6 — LIVE from the Capitol — 88th TX Lege Session Update Ep 1.6 — LIVE from the Capitol — 88th TX Lege Session Update The first in a special series of epsiodes, we're leaving the table and taking you to the Texas State Capitol live with TRA President & CEO Emily Williams Knight and Chief Public Affairs Officer Kelsey Erickson Streufert with the latest happenings in the 88th Texas Legislative Session.

In this update, hear about Emily testifying to the Senate Finance Committee about ProStart and the need for improved affordable access to childcare for our industry's workforce.

We will be bringing you updates regularly throughout the Legislative Session on what is happening with our agenda and efforts to protect and advance the Texas restaurant industry.

]]> The first in a special series of epsiodes, we're leaving the table and taking you to the Texas State Capitol live with TRA President & CEO Emily Williams Knight and Chief Public Affairs Officer Kelsey Erickson Streufert with the latest happenings in the 88th Texas Legislative Session.

In this update, hear about Emily testifying to the Senate Finance Committee about ProStart and the need for improved affordable access to childcare for our industry's workforce.

We will be bringing you updates regularly throughout the Legislative Session on what is happening with our agenda and efforts to protect and advance the Texas restaurant industry.

]]> Texas Restaurant Association Buzzsprout-12270772 Thu, 16 Feb 2023 21:00:00 -0600 378 1 6 bonus false Ep 1.5 – At the Table Talking Off-Premise Bulk Food for the Holidays Ep 1.5 – At the Table Talking Off-Premise Bulk Food for the Holidays Join the Texas Restaurant Association at the table with Russell Woodward (Texas Beef Council), Skeeter Miller (County Line BBQ), and Larry Delgado (Delgado Collective; Salt - New American Table, Salome on Main, House Wine & Bistro) talking about off-premise bulk food for the holidays, especially with the TRA passing the Bulk/Grocery Food Bill in the Texas 87th Legislative Session. Hear these industry icons discuss how they made the most of the ability to increase revenue during the pandemic and still today by adding groceries/sundries and packaging their meals to take the work out of the kitchen and time back in customers' hands to enjoy time with their families at the holidays.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, off-premise is now an indisputable significant revenue stream for any restaurant. Are you maximizing your earning potential as the holidays draw near?

]]> Join the Texas Restaurant Association at the table with Russell Woodward (Texas Beef Council), Skeeter Miller (County Line BBQ), and Larry Delgado (Delgado Collective; Salt - New American Table, Salome on Main, House Wine & Bistro) talking about off-premise bulk food for the holidays, especially with the TRA passing the Bulk/Grocery Food Bill in the Texas 87th Legislative Session. Hear these industry icons discuss how they made the most of the ability to increase revenue during the pandemic and still today by adding groceries/sundries and packaging their meals to take the work out of the kitchen and time back in customers' hands to enjoy time with their families at the holidays.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, off-premise is now an indisputable significant revenue stream for any restaurant. Are you maximizing your earning potential as the holidays draw near?

]]> Texas Restaurant Association Buzzsprout-11707498 Wed, 16 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0600 2962 1 5 full false Ep 1.4 – At the Table Talking Hispanic Heritage Month Ep 1.4 – At the Table Talking Hispanic Heritage Month Every fall we pause to celebrate the heritage, language, culture, contributions, and of course, food of Hispanic-Americans from more than 30 different countries. With its rich Mexican heritage and being the home of TexMex cuisine, this is an especially important month here in Texas. In this episode of At the Table with the Texas Restaurant Association, hear from Hispanic-American restaurateur members Vanessa Duran (Co-Owner, L&J Cafe in El Paso), Blanca Aldaco (Owner, Aldaco's Mexican Cuisine in San Antonio), and Edgar Guevara (President & CEO, M Crowd Restaurant Group). We'll discuss their heritage, what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them, and our excitement over the announcement that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in Texas.

Enjoy this first of a series of special edition episodes to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures represented by the TRA's members.

]]> Every fall we pause to celebrate the heritage, language, culture, contributions, and of course, food of Hispanic-Americans from more than 30 different countries. With its rich Mexican heritage and being the home of TexMex cuisine, this is an especially important month here in Texas. In this episode of At the Table with the Texas Restaurant Association, hear from Hispanic-American restaurateur members Vanessa Duran (Co-Owner, L&J Cafe in El Paso), Blanca Aldaco (Owner, Aldaco's Mexican Cuisine in San Antonio), and Edgar Guevara (President & CEO, M Crowd Restaurant Group). We'll discuss their heritage, what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them, and our excitement over the announcement that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in Texas.

Enjoy this first of a series of special edition episodes to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures represented by the TRA's members.

]]> Texas Restaurant Association Buzzsprout-11567397 Tue, 25 Oct 2022 14:00:00 -0500 2354 1 4 full false Ep 1.3 — Talking Non-Cash Adjustments/Credit Card Surcharges Ep 1.3 — Talking Non-Cash Adjustments/Credit Card Surcharges With all the challenges still impacting our industry, from inflation and cost increases to labor and commodity shortages, it has never been more important for operators to maximize their margins. Raising prices is not the only option, though one that can only be done so many times before negatively impacting traffic.

Join us At the Table with Rex Benson, Owner/Operator of ‘Ol South Pancake House, and Matthew Mabel, Founder/CEO of Surrender, Inc., talking about the process and positive impact of using non-cash adjustments (credit card surcharges). We’ll review the steps for implementation, how to communicate with your customers, and just how quickly restaurants engaged in this practice are offsetting their credit card processing fees.

 Resources from this episode:

 Heartland Payment Processing Credit Card Surcharge Guide

]]> With all the challenges still impacting our industry, from inflation and cost increases to labor and commodity shortages, it has never been more important for operators to maximize their margins. Raising prices is not the only option, though one that can only be done so many times before negatively impacting traffic.

Join us At the Table with Rex Benson, Owner/Operator of ‘Ol South Pancake House, and Matthew Mabel, Founder/CEO of Surrender, Inc., talking about the process and positive impact of using non-cash adjustments (credit card surcharges). We’ll review the steps for implementation, how to communicate with your customers, and just how quickly restaurants engaged in this practice are offsetting their credit card processing fees.

 Resources from this episode:

 Heartland Payment Processing Credit Card Surcharge Guide

]]> Texas Restaurant Association Buzzsprout-11415407 Fri, 30 Sep 2022 13:00:00 -0500 2723 1 3 full false Ep 1.2 — TRA Tech Guys: Talking Technology for Success and Scalability Ep 1.2 — TRA Tech Guys: Talking Technology for Success and Scalability A special ongoing segment of At the Table, At the Table with the TRA Tech Guys focuses on technology in restaurants and debunking the myths and mysteries behind the tools critical to your success, co-hosted by Bryan Solar, Head of Restaurants (Square for Restaurants) and Ellis Winstanley, President (El Arroyo and Axial Shift). At the Table with the TRA Tech Guys takes the fear and uncertainty out of technology while answering TRA member's questions, hosting your fellow members to discuss their experiences, and having fun along the way.

Bryan and Ellis are talking technology with Mike Rypka, Founder & CEO of Torchy’s Tacos. Mike shares the experience of growing the company from a food truck in Austin to 106 brick and mortar units across the State of Texas, how the company’s technology evolved, and if he could do it over again, what he’d have done differently. Success and scalability for any business requires a strong tech stack; learn what you need to know in this first episode of At the Table with the TRA Tech Guys.

]]> A special ongoing segment of At the Table, At the Table with the TRA Tech Guys focuses on technology in restaurants and debunking the myths and mysteries behind the tools critical to your success, co-hosted by Bryan Solar, Head of Restaurants (Square for Restaurants) and Ellis Winstanley, President (El Arroyo and Axial Shift). At the Table with the TRA Tech Guys takes the fear and uncertainty out of technology while answering TRA member's questions, hosting your fellow members to discuss their experiences, and having fun along the way.

Bryan and Ellis are talking technology with Mike Rypka, Founder & CEO of Torchy’s Tacos. Mike shares the experience of growing the company from a food truck in Austin to 106 brick and mortar units across the State of Texas, how the company’s technology evolved, and if he could do it over again, what he’d have done differently. Success and scalability for any business requires a strong tech stack; learn what you need to know in this first episode of At the Table with the TRA Tech Guys.

]]> Texas Restaurant Association Buzzsprout-11308910 Tue, 13 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0500 1949 1 2 full false Ep 1.1 — Talking About Our Customers and Current Workforce Challenges Ep 1.1 — Talking About Our Customers and Current Workforce Challenges The inaugural episode of the Texas Restaurant Association's Podcast, "At the Table with the TRA", featuring co-hosts Joe Monastero, TRA Chief Operating Officer, and Ben Knorr, TRA Partner & Sponsor Development Manager. Joe & Ben are joined by Melissa Doolin-Koehne (Conscious Capitalism), Geoff Alexander (Wow Bao), and Alex Eagle (Freebirds World Burrito) to discuss the latest news from each of their organizations.

After each of the guests' have spoken individually with our co-hosts, everyone comes together 'at the table' to discuss key issues facing the restaurant industry today. This group focused on the importance of being aware of and engaged with your customers and the ongoing workforce shortage crisis. Melissa, Geoff, and Alex offer their opinions and insights on these topics, as well as some recommendations operators of all sizes may benefit from implementing in their establishments.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE

Black Box Intelligence Newsletters
ServSuccess Employee Training by the National Restaurant Association

]]> The inaugural episode of the Texas Restaurant Association's Podcast, "At the Table with the TRA", featuring co-hosts Joe Monastero, TRA Chief Operating Officer, and Ben Knorr, TRA Partner & Sponsor Development Manager. Joe & Ben are joined by Melissa Doolin-Koehne (Conscious Capitalism), Geoff Alexander (Wow Bao), and Alex Eagle (Freebirds World Burrito) to discuss the latest news from each of their organizations.

After each of the guests' have spoken individually with our co-hosts, everyone comes together 'at the table' to discuss key issues facing the restaurant industry today. This group focused on the importance of being aware of and engaged with your customers and the ongoing workforce shortage crisis. Melissa, Geoff, and Alex offer their opinions and insights on these topics, as well as some recommendations operators of all sizes may benefit from implementing in their establishments.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE

Black Box Intelligence Newsletters
ServSuccess Employee Training by the National Restaurant Association

]]> Texas Restaurant Association Buzzsprout-11289554 Fri, 09 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0500 2958 1 1 full false