Our History

For more than six decades, the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association has grown alongside the industry it represents. Founded in 1961 by a group of restaurant operators seeking a stronger collective voice, the Association has evolved into a statewide organization representing the businesses, people, and communities that make Connecticut’s hospitality industry thrive.

Through changing economic conditions, new regulations, workforce challenges, and shifts in how people dine and do business, the Association has remained focused on its core purpose: advocating for the industry, supporting its members, and helping Connecticut’s hospitality businesses succeed. Along the way, CRHA has expanded its advocacy, education, resources, and connections, building the strong statewide organization it is today. 

1961: Built by Restaurant Operators

The Associated Restaurants of Connecticut was founded on November 24, 1961, by seven restaurant operators from Bridgeport, Fairfield, Hartford, Westport, and Wallingford. From the beginning, the mission was simple: bring restaurant operators together to advocate for their businesses, strengthen the industry, and have a strong and united voice at our state capitol.

The Association’s original Articles of Incorporation were signed by then-Secretary of State Ella T. Grasso, who would go on to make history as Connecticut’s first female governor and the fourth woman elected governor of a U.S. state.

1981: First Evolution

The Associated Restaurants of Connecticut becomes the Connecticut Restaurant Association, reflecting its continued growth as the statewide voice for Connecticut’s restaurant industry.

2001: Investing in the Future

The Association established the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation (CHEF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to promoting the health and prosperity of Connecticut’s hospitality industry through education, scholarships, and financial assistance.

Today, CHEF supports educational and workforce development initiatives that help prepare the next generation of hospitality professionals, while creating opportunities for students and individuals to build meaningful careers in the industry.

2018: A New Era of Growth

Beginning in 2018, the Association entered a major period of growth as changing leadership and the evolving needs of the industry created new opportunities to expand its reach and impact. Over the next several years, membership grew from fewer than 800 businesses to more than 2,000 restaurant members across Connecticut.

That growth continued through the pandemic, when the challenges facing hospitality businesses underscored the importance of having a strong network of support. As owners and operators navigated unprecedented disruptions and constantly changing policies at the local, state, and federal levels, the Association opened its resources and support to the industry, helping businesses access critical information, navigate uncertainty, and stay connected.

The experience reinforced the value of coming together as an industry and strengthened the Association’s role as a trusted resource, advocate, and voice for Connecticut’s hospitality businesses.

2026: Expanding the Definition of Hospitality

In January 2026, the Association’s Board of Directors voted to officially expand its representation beyond restaurants to include the broader hospitality industry, welcoming lodging businesses into its membership and advocacy efforts. With this expansion, Connecticut became the 33rd state restaurant association to add lodging to its representation.

The decision marked a new chapter in the organization’s 65-year history. Later that year, the Association introduced its new name and brand, the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association (CRHA), bringing its expanded vision for Connecticut’s hospitality industry to life.

The move recognizes what the industry has long understood: restaurants, hotels, hospitality businesses, and tourism are deeply connected. They share employees, customers, economic challenges, and opportunities, and together they play a vital role in Connecticut’s economy and communities.

From five Connecticut communities in 1961 to a statewide hospitality organization today, our history has always been about bringing people together to make the industry stronger. The Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association carries that legacy forward, representing an industry that continues to grow, evolve, and shape communities across the state.