Texas Restaurant Association, Green Restaurant Association launch statewide sustainability certification program in anticipation of FIFA World Cup 2026

New partnership provides tools to help Texas restaurants cut costs and strengthen operations through sustainability solutions

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) and the Green Restaurant Association (GRA) have launched the Texas Certified Green Restaurant^® Program to create new resources for local restaurants looking to improve their sustainability practices before the FIFA World Cup comes to Texas in 2026. The program, facilitated by the GRA, is designed to match local restaurants with sustainability practices that are uniquely suited to their business model so that participating restaurants can cut costs and strengthen their operations in the process. With more than 35 years of experience, the GRA provides Sustainability Consultants to assist restaurants with their chosen sustainability measures.

“With FIFA coming to Texas next summer, restaurants in Dallas and Houston will welcome thousands of international visitors into their dining rooms,” Dr. Emily Williams Knight, President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, said. “The tools provided by this partnership with GRA will help restaurants meet FIFA’s sustainability expectations of World Cup 2026 host cities and appeal to new customers. At the same time, this program will be available to restaurants across the state—creating another opportunity for TRA members to cut costs and strengthen their operations so they can thrive in a competitive marketplace.”

According to the Green Restaurant Association, restaurants working with its programs can save thousands of dollars by implementing steps that save energy, water, and waste. In addition, surveys show 79% of consumers prefer dining at Certified Green Restaurants^® and 78% of employees are more motivated to work at them.

“For decades the Green Restaurant Association has helped restaurants integrate sustainability into their operations,” Michael Oshman, founder and CEO of the Green Restaurant Association, said. “We are proud to bring our science-based certification process to Texas in partnership with the TRA, making it easier for restaurants to reduce costs, increase revenue, and become more competitive.”

To learn more about the program or schedule a free consultation, Texas restaurants can visit dinegreentexas.com.

ABOUT THE GREEN RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION 

The Green Restaurant Association is a national non-profit organization that provides the only official Certified Green Restaurants^® mark in the country. Since 1990, the GRA has pioneered the Green Restaurant^® movement and has been the leading voice within the industry encouraging restaurants to listen to consumer demand to green their operations using transparent, science-based certification standards. With their turnkey certification system, the GRA has made it easy for thousands of restaurants to become more environmentally sustainable in a profitable manner. The GRA has been featured on CNN, NBC Nightly News, NPR, and in The New York Times, and The Washington Post. For more information visit www.dinegreen.com.

ABOUT THE TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION 

Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association serves as the advocate and indispensable resource for the foodservice industry in Texas. As a leading business association, the TRA represents the state’s $138 billion restaurant industry, which encompasses more than 57,000 locations and a workforce of over 1.4 million employees. Along with the Texas Restaurant Foundation, the workforce development arm of the TRA, the association proudly continues to protect, advance, and educate a growing industry as the TRA enters its 88th year. For more information, please visit www.txrestaurant.org.