The Louisiana Restaurant Association was established in 1946 to promote, protect and serve the interests of the state’s foodservice and hospitality industry. Under the leadership of its original officers and directors, the association set forth several founding principles that continue to guide the association to this day. Since its inception, the LRA has become one of the most outstanding state restaurant associations in the nation and is heralded as a leader among all trade associations.

In 1982, the association formed its Self Insurer's Fund for workers’ compensation – one of the most successful programs of its kind in the country. In 1995, the LRA moved its operations to its current 23,000-square foot headquarter building in Metairie, Louisiana. The association’s Education Foundation was established in 1996 and boasts one of the nation’s premier School-to-Career programs with 46 schools and more than 900 students participating statewide. The annual Louisiana Foodservice EXPO, hosted by the LRA, is recognized as the region’s top tradeshow for the foodservice industry.

The LRA is governed by a Board of Directors that represents all segments of the foodservice and hospitality industry in Louisiana. The LRA, LRA/SIF and LRA Education Foundation have a staff of 65 professionals with the executive vice president serving as chief executive officer. Today, the LRA’s nine statewide chapters are composed of 7,000 restaurant operations and related businesses, including hotels, caterers, institutional feeders and suppliers of goods and services to the restaurant industry.