The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), which represents the US state’s foodservice sector, has announced new rules for the foodservice industry across the state.

TRA noted that the new rules will help restaurants streamline regulations, reduce costs and improve the customer experience.

TRA passed the new and amended laws during its 88th Regular Legislative Session.

Some new rules that would impact restaurants and major themes include regulatory consistency and predictability, fewer permit fees, clearer health codes, property tax relief and workforce development.

TRA president and CEO Emily Williams Knight said: “As the second-largest private-sector employer in Texas, foodservice operators rely on our legislators to make our business environment as strong as possible.

“The Texas foodservice industry is resilient, but the past few years have created enormous challenges for our industry in particular.

“By working with our state’s officials to make government more efficient, and to plan for future growth, we continue to find enormous success helping restaurants overcome their challenges and thrive.”

The new laws are set to benefit 55,000 foodservice establishments and create more than 1.4 million employment opportunities in Texas and the communities they serve.

TRA chief public affairs officer Kelsey Erickson Streufert said: “After the difficulties restaurants have faced since the Covid-19 pandemic, we started the legislative session with a strong agenda that incorporated feedback from operators across the state.

“We were determined to deliver immediate relief and long-term security for the entire foodservice industry—from single-unit restaurants to chains, franchisees, employees, and customers.

“Many of these plans take effect with new laws today, creating new opportunities for restaurants and the millions of Texans who depend on them.”