A Movement for Restaurant Equity
How MORE Is Building an Industry Where Everyone Belongs
A Movement for Restaurant Equity
Some industries evolve, and others must be rebuilt. The restaurant industry falls into both categories. It’s long been romanticized for its grit and hustle, but behind the scenes, too many people work without a real path forward.
That’s why MORE: The Movement to Organize for Restaurant Equity exists — not as a think tank, not as a trend, but as a coalition that understands this isn’t a problem one organization can fix alone.
MORE began as a collaboration between three veteran organizations — Women in Hospitality United, Regarding Her, and the James Beard Foundation — who saw the same thing: fragmentation. Many people are trying to move the industry forward, but they are working in silos.
They asked, ‘What if we worked together?’ What if we stopped creating duplicative programs and instead amplified and accelerated what’s already being done?
From that question, MORE took shape. The coalition now brings together 18 member organizations focused on economic mobility, workplace protections, mental health, mentorship, and leadership development — all issues the restaurant industry has historically ignored or underfunded.
“We contribute $700 billion annually to the U.S. economy and employ 12 million people,” MORE says. “But our systems haven’t kept pace — workers face significant barriers to economic mobility, and operators are squeezed from all sides.”
Where others see intractable problems, MORE sees opportunity. Their impact so far has focused on connection: pulling together a network of changemakers and launching publicly to invite more people into this work. But this is just the start. Programming and industry partnerships are already underway, with an apparent belief that a thriving, equitable restaurant industry won’t come from the top down but through collective effort.
Collaboration isn’t just their ethos, it’s their model. “Real change will take all of us: diners; government; nonprofits; and operators, working together.”
They offer this advice to anyone looking to build something similar: Don’t go at it alone. Find the work already happening, support it, amplify it, and connect with MORE.
A third-generation chef who found herself spiraling in the same kitchens where she thrived professionally, Jasmin’s journey mirrors so many in the food world: relentless hustle, masked pain, and a deep longing for something more human.
After stepping away during the Great Resignation, she didn’t walk away from the industry — she returned with purpose. And in doing so, she built a lifeline for others still deep in it.
Quickfire with MORE
MORE (The Movement to Organize for Restaurant Equity)
In one sentence, what do you or your organization do?
We are a coalition of organizations working together to create a more equitable restaurant industry.
Let’s start with your journey—where did you grow up, what shaped you, and what are some defining moments in your career so far?
MORE is the vision of a powerhouse team of hospitality industry veterans from three founding organizations–Women in Hospitality United, Regarding Her, and James Beard Foundation.
In your opinion, what are the biggest problems in the industry?
Instead of focusing on the problems, we strive to spotlight the enormous opportunity for change in the restaurant industry. We contribute $700B annually to the U.S. economy (1) and employ 12 million people, making us the second largest private employing industry in the country. (2) But razor thin margins pressure both operators and frontline workers. In fact, 85% of operators reported lower profitability year-over-year, (3) and workers face insurmountable barriers to economic mobility: only four percent advance to corporate jobs and the wage and experience capital gains that come with them. (4)
Sources:
1 Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024
2 Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2023
3 National Restaurant Association, 2022
4 McKinsey, 2022
What other pressing issues do you identify beyond the one you or your organization are addressing?
MORE exists to connect, amplify, and catalyze the work of our coalition member organizations across the following issue areas:
Advancing Economic Mobility
Enabling economic mobility for workers and owners is essential to a more equitable and resilient restaurant industry – an industry where 55% of workers have a high school education or below vs. 31% for the overall U.S. workforce, and only 6 of 50 states have average wages that meet the cost of living.
Our coalition members support policies, tools, and opportunities that help workers and owners grow, thrive, and build long-term stability by advocating for:
➔ Workforce development + upskilling
➔ Expanded access to capital + financial resources
➔ Wage equity + transparency
➔ Leadership development + mentorship
Advancing Workplace Protections
To build sustainable businesses and careers, operators and employees require stable systems to ensure all workers can show up fully and safely at work. This foundation for success includes the following systems:
➔ Support for working parents + caregivers
➔ Increased mental health awareness + access to care
➔ Sexual violence, harassment, and discrimination education and prevention
➔ Opportunities for historically marginalized voices to come forward safely
➔ Protection for undocumented laborers
What actions or initiatives have you implemented to create a positive impact in the industry? Could you share a concrete example or a specific number that reflects that impact?
Thus far, our focus has been on organizing our current member organizations (currently 18) who share a focus on the above mentioned impact areas, and launching our coalition to the public. Now that we have accomplished this, we are currently working on developing industry-focused programming with a few of our member organizations.
What are your future plans to continue contributing to the well-being of the sector?
Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do! We chose a coalition model in order to reduce silos, drive innovative solutions, and accelerate the collective impact of our member organizations. As a coalition, we support the goals of our members and provide resources, programming, partnerships, and research, fostering a dynamic community of changemakers.
Who do you believe are the key players in building a more humane and sustainable industry? (Government, customers, insurance companies, etc.)
Real change will take all of us – diners, government, nonprofits, owner/operators etc – working together.
From an operational perspective, what would the ideal restaurant scenario look like for you?
n/a
What’s your dream for the future of this industry?
A restaurant industry that’s thriving, equitable, and enduring.
What are some long-term impacts you hope to have in the F&B industry?
By providing our members with resources, programming, partnerships, and research, we hope to foster a dynamic community of changemakers that in turn accelerates the impact of our member organizations.
MORE will also partner with adjacent industries and aligned non-profits to expand existing programming and bring outside solutions to the restaurant industry, with a particular focus on creating quality jobs and accelerating opportunities for equitable economic advancement.
What advice would you give to others who are looking to start a non-profit or initiative to help the restaurant industry?
We formed a coalition because we saw many people and organizations already working to effect change and we wanted to avoid creating duplicative solutions and reduce the silos among them. Our advice would be to focus on harnessing the work already underway, and please reach out to us at hello@morecoalition.org as we’re always interested in meeting those working towards change!
Why CHOW Matters Now
The industry is slowly waking up. Press outlets, leadership, and even diners are beginning to ask better questions: Is this place sustainable for its people? What does care look like in the kitchen?
CHOW isn’t just responding — they’re leading. Through partnerships with mission-aligned restaurants, grants, and peer-powered programming, they’re building a blueprint for change.
Advice to others looking to create impact?
Don’t go it alone. Let’s partner. Collaboration is everything.
Visit MORE Coalition for more information about this program.
Follow along @morecoalition for updates and inspiration.
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