NRAEF : Blog

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights.” At ProStart®, we strive to empower, enrich and improve representation in the restaurant industry so every generation sees growth and development. Our mission is to continue making strides so the students of the future will experience a new meaning of diversity in the classroom and workplace.

Each year on March 8th, we recognize the women who have made an influential change in our kitchens, and continue to inspire girls in following their passions to become chefs, restaurant executives, and so on. We are proud to be part of an industry that employs more women in higher-up positions than any other economy.

Want to learn more about how programs like ProStart and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation are empowering women in the restaurant industry? Check out these stats:

+ 60% of ProStart® students are female

+ 66% of qualified scholarship applicants identified as female for NRAEF’s 2017 scholarship application.

+ In 2019, entry-level positions held by women in the restaurant industry reached 58%.

+ In 2019, managerial positions held by women in the restaurant industry reached 47%.

+ Between 2014 and 2019, the number of women-owned businesses reached 21% to a total  of nearly 13 million.

+ In 2019, the growth in the share of total revenue by women-owned businesses increased by 27% in the food industry.