Founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) emerged to advocate for the survival and long-term success of independent restaurants and bars across the United States. This coalition has played a vital role in securing economic relief and shaping policies to support the independent restaurant community, which forms the backbone of America’s food culture and economy.  The IRC is committed to building a sustainable future for independent restaurateurs, their employees, and the communities they support. 

The IRC takes  a bottom-up approach to our advocacy. We listen and learn from members of the independent restaurant and bar community and mobilize our supporters to act. That includes exploring every possible avenue to give neighborhood restaurants and bars  the support they  need to keep their doors open and keep their teams thriving.  

Being Independent Shouldn’t Mean Being Alone. We invite you to join the IRC and become a part of a national movement to safeguard independent restaurants and bars.