New Mexico Restaurant Association

07/17/2026

The National Restaurant Association and Restaurant Law Center are hosting a high‑value immigration compliance webinar that gives restaurant owners, operators, and HR leaders a clear, practical briefing on today’s enforcement landscape—from new ICE guidance on I‑9 substantive errors to what employers should expect during audits, inspections, and warrants. Featuring leading attorneys Bruce Buchanan and Deepti Orekondy, the session breaks down recent policy developments, including the Supreme Court’s TPS ruling, and equips operators with concrete preparation and response strategies. Registration includes access to the on‑demand recording.
https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5379957/44D0281FD8EDE6565E7E342CF29541EE

07/17/2026

Skip the hassle of having to schedule time for individual employees to attend ServSafe trainings and bring the classroom experience straight to your team! Private ServSafe Classes from NMRA offer comprehensive training for managers, food handlers, and alcohol servers, all when it fits your schedule. What are you waiting for? Schedule a private class for your kitchen or bar today!

Attendees who successfully complete the food safety certification class and pass the exam will receive a certification from NRA Solutions valid for 5 years.

07/16/2026

NMRA member Campo at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm is featured as New Mexico’s standout pick in this national roundup, praised for its inventive use of local ingredients and its James Beard–recognized wine program. The article highlights how Campo pairs thoughtful, farm‑driven cooking with sweeping views of the Sandias and the surrounding lavender fields.

Dining with a view can make even casual experiences feel luxurious. These restaurants offer the best mix of succulent food and sight-seeing across every state.

07/16/2026

Nominations for the 2026 Hospitality Industry Awards are officially OPEN. New Mexico’s hospitality community is full of leaders, problem‑solvers, rising stars, and everyday pros who make this industry what it is — and it’s time to recognize them.
Nominate the people who are raising the bar in hospitality across our state. Managers. Chefs. Community champions. Innovators. Operators. The steady hands who keep things moving. The talent shaping the future.Put their names forward. Celebrate their impact.
https://business.nmrestaurants.org/2025-hospitality/Fill/LwW1eigL

07/15/2026

The National Restaurant Association’s RestaurantOwner.com platform offers independent operators tips, tools and resources to open stronger, grow smarter and improve profitability. The subscription-based community platform provides ready made systems, training, practical tools and expert insights mapped to operators’ stages of business for faster, more efficient, results. Created by restaurant owners for restaurant owners, the platform’s goal is to help operators, their teams, and businesses flourish.

We offer tools and trainings proven to help independent restaurant owners and their teams find lasting success. Start your restaurant journey and sign up today.

07/15/2026

ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT!!! A restaurant’s first impression is made long before anyone sits down — and it’s happening online. The digital landscape has shifted fast, and the tactics that once brought in steady traffic barely register anymore. Platforms now reward strategy, consistency, and content that actually earns attention. When listings fall out of date, visuals don’t sell the experience, or social presence goes quiet, guests drift toward competitors without a second thought. This webinar gives operators a clear, modern roadmap to fix that, led by Drew Thompson, owner of B*K Digital Marketing , in partnership with NMRA.

Most restaurants are losing business long before a guest ever looks at a menu — not because of food or service, but because their online presence isn’t working for them. Outdated listings, weak photos, and inconsistent social media quietly push customers toward competitors. This webinar gives op...

07/14/2026

Exceptional leadership is at the heart of New Mexico’s restaurant community, and the Restaurant’s Advance Leadership Awards honor the visionaries, changemakers, and rising talent who inspire high‑performing teams, strengthen workplace culture, drive operational excellence, and create meaningful impact across their organizations and communities. These awards celebrate leaders whose influence reaches far beyond their titles, recognizing those who develop future talent, introduce new ideas that move the industry forward, and represent the next generation of restaurant leadership. With nominations closing Friday, July 17, New Mexico operators are encouraged to spotlight the individuals who make a difference every day.

Nominations Open May 15–July 17, 2026 Awards Ceremony October 27, 2026 ? Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards The Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards (RALA) is the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s premier leadership recognition event designed to spotlight individuals w...

07/14/2026

If you’re passionate about strengthening New Mexico’s hospitality industry and leading the work that supports restaurants statewide, NMRA is seeking its next Chief Executive Officer. This is a rare opportunity to guide advocacy, education, and growth for one of the state’s most influential business associations—apply today and help shape the future of hospitality in New Mexico.

NMRA CEO Job Description Join Our Team We’re Hiring a Chief Executive Officer The New Mexico Restaurant Association (NMRA) is searching for an exceptional leader to serve as our next Chief Executive Officer. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to lead New Mexico’s premier restaurant and food...

07/13/2026

The New Mexico State Fair is now accepting applications for the 2026 Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge, inviting brick‑and‑mortar restaurants to compete for one of the Fair’s most iconic culinary titles. Applications are open through Friday, July 17, and only eight restaurants will be selected to cook on Monday, September 14 at the Agriculture Building on Main Street. The competition begins around noon with blind judging, followed by the lively People’s Choice tasting once scoring is complete. All entries must use 100% New Mexico–grown green chile, and selected competitors will pay a one‑time $25 fee. It’s a prime opportunity to showcase your signature burger and celebrate New Mexico’s most beloved ingredient in front of thousands of fairgoers.

Each year, restaurants from around the state go toe-to-toe with the best green chile cheeseburger they can muster, in an effort to be crowned the "Green Chile Cheeseburger Champion!"

07/13/2026

Join us for the 2026 Hospitality Industry Awards on September 21 as we honor the people, stories, and achievements that define New Mexico’s hospitality community. This year is extraordinary — we’re celebrating NMRA’s 80th Anniversary and the Centennial of Historic Route 66 in one unforgettable night at the Route 66 Casino Hotel. Early Bird pricing makes this the perfect moment to secure your seats: tables are just $1,599 and individual tickets are $179 until August 14 when they go back up to regular price. With a milestone year like this, demand will be high. Lock in the Early Bird rate now and make sure your team is part of the celebration.
https://business.nmrestaurants.org/arw2026/Details/2026-hospitality-industry-awards-1506246