Australian Restaurant and Café Association partners with MICE
The Australian Restaurant and Café Association (ARCA) has been named an official association partner of the 2027 Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE).
ARCA represents the interests of more than 56,000 restaurants and cafés around Australia, advocating on workforce, taxation, training, and productivity issues on behalf of the hospitality sector.
CEO of ARCA Wes Lambert says that, with café owners being the central audience of MICE, the collaboration will give the event a stronger, more direct line to decision makers.
The Industry’s Night returns, marking the start of Fine Food 2026
The Industry’s Night – the annual Hostplus ARCA and AFAB industry gala – returns for its second year on 31 August 2026.
Held at the Lakeside Pavilion in Albert Park, Melbourne, the event marks the opening night of Fine Food 2026.
It will bring together restaurant, café, and hospitality venue owners, operators, suppliers, and industry leaders from across Australia for a night of connection, recognition and celebration.
ARCA Chief Executive Officer Wes Lambert said the evening gives the industry a chance to pause, come together and celebrate the wins.
Ben Carroll plots to cut small business work-from-home slack in major shift
Open letter signatory and Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief Wes Lambert said the proposed laws would also be a “nail in the coffin” for many small businesses due to a reduction in CBD foot traffic.
“Passing this legislation would truly show that the current government is totally out of touch with businesses in their state, and it is time for a change,” he said.
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.
‘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.
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”.
Prices to rise in restaurant ‘bloodbath’ as wage hike hits
Wes Lambert, chief executive of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association, said the pile-up of additional financial demands from the wage rise, Payday Super changes, the phase-out of junior pay rates and removal of credit card surcharges meant establishments would need to add at least 10 per cent to menu prices this year to maintain profit margins.
Minimum wage increase a relief for workers, a ‘complex’ puzzle for businesses
‘Job-destruction mechanism’
The Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association (ARCA) said the increase in the minimum wage and all award rates from July 1, “falls dangerously short of balance between business and employee needs”.
The Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association (ARCA) said the increase in the minmum wage and all award rates from July 1, “falls dangerously short of balance between business and employee needs”.
ARCA chief executive Wes Lambert said the “hardest truth in hospitality is that restaurants do not print money”.
Migration ‘central’ to keeping restaurants open, says industry
Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert said only 2500 apprentices and trainees in the year to September completed a Certificate 3.
“Our position is straightforward, Australia needs a smarter skilled migration framework, one that is faster, more responsive, regionally aware, integrity driven and better aligned with workforce shortages, housing capacity and long-term productivity goals.”
Mr Lambert said the industry accounted for 14 per cent of all skilled visas in Australia, including 9.33 per cent going to chefs.
Michelin Guide arrival may boost Australian hospitality
This offers a significant opportunity for SA’s hospitality scene and could eventually pave the way for a national rollout, Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert said.