The Multicultural Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance celebrates 25 years of advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion

WASHINGTON, October 1, 2021 / PRNewswire / – In 1996, 17 companies merged into Chicago to create the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), an organization that promotes opportunities for people of color in the restaurant, restaurant and accommodation industry. Last month, the MFHA, along with its affiliates the National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), celebrated 25 years of building bridges of opportunity and providing solutions that empower and advance people of all horizons.

Since its inception, the MFHA has advocated for diversity and inclusion in the restaurant, catering and hospitality sectors. MFHA’s mission has shifted from advocating for career opportunities for people of color to creating cultural intelligence for businesses and organizations across the country.

People belonging to racial and ethnic minorities make up about 47% of the food service industry’s workforce, and 4 in 10 restaurant managers and supervisors are minorities – more multicultural managers than any other industry. *

“For 25 years, our goal has been to provide the information, tools and resources necessary to elevate diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural competency in our industry,” said Gerry Fernandez, president and founder of the MFHA. “As we look to the future, our hope is to have a positive impact on our industry, to create opportunity, to spark real change in our society and to make our communities better places to work and live for. everybody. “

The main achievements of the MFHA include:

• 1997 : The MFHA released its first “Report to Industry”, outlining the business case and the benefits of creating a diverse, inclusive and culturally competent organization.

• 1998: First national conference focusing on The Dinner Table approach to building a diverse and inclusive organization.

• 2000-on: Published research reports including The Diverse Executive Development Guide, Pocket Translations Guides, MFHA’s first-ever Diverse Workforce Survey and Inclusive Website Assessment Tool.

• 2007: A new focus on cultural intelligence in alignment and in partnership with the National Restaurant Association.

• 2020: A new strategic plan focused on leadership development, community engagement, as well as board and C-Suite diversity.

As part of the 25^e anniversary celebration, industry leaders gathered Chicago at the National Restaurant Association headquarters to recognize MFHA milestones and announce future goals.

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During the event, Max Langenkamp, Director of Diversity and Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Cintas, has been appointed incoming Chairman of the MFHA Advisory Board, and James fripp, Head of Equity and Inclusion, Miam! Brands, and past president of MFHA, was recognized. Tom Bené, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association and CEO, NRAEF, delivered remarks.

Fernandez also highlighted several key joint MFHA and NRAEF initiatives to increase diversity, equity and inclusion (DCI) in the industry:

• Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership – an innovative new franchising initiative sponsored by PepsiCo and designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs to operate high-performing businesses, with the goal of creating 100 black-owned franchised restaurants by the end of 2023.

• Roadmap inclusion – a ready-to-implement best practice guide to integrate DEI into a successful, sustainable and measurable business strategy.

• Industry Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Survey – in partnership with the National Restaurant Association, NRAEF, and Cornell University, MFHA is conducting the first comprehensive DCI survey since 2014. The survey results will provide foodservice businesses with information on how to better engage, develop and empower a diverse workforce at all levels. The survey is currently slated for release in early 2022.

” , said Rob gifford, President, NRAEF. “The Association and the Educational Foundation are proud to partner with the MFHA as we continue the ongoing work to rebuild our industry and set even higher standards for diversity, equity and inclusion,” from entry level to suite C. “

* Source – American Census Bureau’s 2015 American Community Survey – National Restaurant Association

About the Multicultural Catering and Hospitality Alliance
Founded in Minneapolis in 1996, the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA) has been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the industry for almost 25 years. Since its founding, MFHA’s mission has evolved from advocating for career opportunities for people of color to the need to develop cultural intelligence and promote the business case for diversity and inclusion. MFHA is affiliated with the National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). The Association and the NRAEF are dedicated to supporting the industry and to attracting, empowering and advancing the restaurant and restaurant leaders of today and tomorrow. MFHA.net

About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF)
As a philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s public service mission is to enhance industry training and education, career development, and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs aim to attract, empower and advance the restaurant and catering workforce of today and tomorrow.

NRAEF programs include: ProStart^® – a vocational and technical education program at the secondary level; Restaurant Ready – in partnership with community organizations to provide young people and those involved in justice with vocational training and employment opportunities; Military – helping servicemen and women transfer skills to careers in catering and catering; Scholarships – financial aid for students pursuing degrees in catering, catering and hospitality; and the Hospitality Sector Registered Apprenticeship project – a partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association offering a hospitality apprenticeship program for the industry. To learn more about the NRAEF and its work, visit ChooseRestaurants.org.

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SOURCE Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association