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ARCA-The Strongest Voice for the Hospitality Industry

The Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association has officially launched in Australia and WE DELIVER, as the Industry Association representing the Restaurant & Cafe Segment of the Accommodation & Foodservice Industry and continues to Advocate on behalf of the segment to Local, State & Federal Government around Australia. Join us for #aseatatthetable

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Who We Are

The Strongest Voice for Restaurants & Cafes

The Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association (ARCA) is the strongest voice for the restaurant & cafe segment of the Accommodation & Foodservice Industry and WE DELIVER, representing a $72 billion sector that employs over 700,000 workers. We strive to become Australia’s peak hospitality body, representing the over 56,000 restaurants & cafes. ARCA is YOUR VOICE, will DRIVE CHANGE in the Industry, and will work tirelessly for YOU, as your Industry Association. ARCA is the $1-per-week insurance policy for the future of hospitality.

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Featured Events

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ARCA August Member & Stakeholder Webinar-Launching WorkinHospo!

August 26, 2026
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2nd Annual Hostplus ARCA & AFAB Industry Gala 31 August 2026

August 31, 2026
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Retail Show Australia

September 22, 2026
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Stay updated with the latest news from ARCA

Check back for Frequently Updated Restaurant & Cafe Industry News & ARCA Announcements.

Eighty Queensland food businesses collapse as crippling costs hit hospitality industry

Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert said the slowdown in revenue and increase in closure rate was nationwide, primarily tourist areas followed by the central business districts. “The proof is in the numbers. It is a well-known fact that the hospitality industry is suffering under the weight of inflation and the current government’s policies that are not set to help the hospitality industry,” he said.
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‘Death by a thousand cuts’: Why Australian restaurants are facing closure

Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive officer Wes Lambert said the industry was facing a “tsunami” of challenges. “Most restaurants and cafes have reported that their overall costs each year since Covid have exceeded what they feel they are able to pass on through menu price increases,” Mr Lambert said. “Now in 2026 they are facing a tsunami of issues that uniquely affect them, ranging from a drop in tourism, customers resisting higher prices and significant increases in overhead costs.
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Business owner defends $8 coffees as Aussies told to brace for fresh price hike: ‘Not greed’

Wes Lambert, chief executive of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association, told Yahoo Finance he believes venues will need to add at least 10 per cent to menu prices this year in order to combat increased costs and still be in the same position, “not going forwards or backwards”.
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