Congressman David Kustoff meets with local restaurant operators for industry roundtable
MEDIA RELEASE FROM BROOKS SHAW, OLD COUNTRY STORE:
Congressman David Kustoff Meets with Local Restaurant Operators for Industry Roundtable
Jackson, Tenn. – Yesterday, U.S. Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) joined restaurant owners and operators from across Jackson for a “Restaurant Roundtable” to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the foodservice industry in West Tennessee.
The roundtable brought together independent and franchise operators representing more than 600 local jobs across 12 restaurants in the Jackson market. Attendees included representatives from Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store, Old Town Spaghetti Store, Redbones and 731 Sports Bar & Grill, Flat Iron Grill/Nolin’s/1160 Bistro, Asia Garden, Chick-fil-A, Zaxby’s, and Corky’s BBQ of Memphis.
Topics of discussion included pressing industry issues such as labor and workforce challenges, credit card swipe fees, pricing pressures, tariffs, and immigration. Operators also welcomed the opportunity to talk about positive developments following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill in July, which contains several restaurant-friendly provisions. These include renewed applicable business deductions, tax cuts designed to encourage reinvestment in restaurants and their staff, and new measures ensuring that tips and overtime pay will not be subject to federal tax up to certain earnings, including the first $25,000 of tips—an important benefit for hourly restaurant workers.
Congressman Kustoff was joined by much of his Washington, D.C. staff, many of whom are originally from West Tennessee. “It’s important for my team to stay connected to the people and communities we represent,” Kustoff noted during the visit. “Meetings like this give us real-world perspective on how federal policies affect families and businesses right here at home.”
The event was hosted as part of the National Restaurant Association’s Hill Runner Program, which pairs local restaurant operators with federal elected officials to strengthen relationships and provide a direct line of communication on industry issues. Brooks Shaw, President and 3rd generation owner of Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store serves as the official Hill Runner partner for Congressman Kustoff.
“This was an invaluable opportunity to have Congressman Kustoff and his team listen directly to the voices of restaurant owners and workers,” said Shaw. “Restaurants are a vital part of our local economy, and the policies being shaped in Washington have real and immediate impacts on our employees, our guests, and our ability to serve the community.”
The roundtable emphasized the hospitality and tourism industry’s role as one of Tennessee’s largest employers and a cornerstone of the local economy.
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