The Missouri Restaurant Association is a state wide trade association with 1,700 dues-paying members representing 4,050 member establishments. At the present time it has 10 chapters as extensions of the parent organization, each with its own officers, board of directors, and limited budget. The association is governed by a board of directors made up of 45 directors, 5 officers, and presidents of the 10 chapters.

It has two basic categories of membership: regular membership, for companies and organizations engaged in commercial and institutional foodservice, as well as foodservice educators, and allied membership, for firms engaged in sales to the foodservice industry.

MRA’s membership is diverse, and includes full-service luxury restaurants, hotels, institutions, fast-foods, schools, contract feeders, and ancillary foodservice such as in theme parks and sports stadiums. The association has been successful in securing support from virtually every segment of commercial feeding. This diverse membership also poses problems in being able to provide meaningful services to the entire membership.

The Missouri Restaurant Association has a staff of full-time and part-time or limited-service employees. The executive vice president is the chief operating officer and responsible for staff activities.