-1.png?width=150&height=150&name=R%26CA%20Logo%20Stacked%20RGB-01%20(TRANSPARENT%20-%20HIGH%20RESOLUTION)-1.png "R&CA Logo Stacked RGB-01 (TRANSPARENT - HIGH RESOLUTION)-1")
About Us
Who We Are
Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) is the peak industry body representing over 57,000 restaurants, cafes and catering businesses across Australia. The members of R&CA are owners and operators of restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, catering companies, takeaway businesses, and function centres. The hospitality sector is vitally important to the national economy, generating over $40.4 billion in retail turnover each year as well as employing 350,000 people.
R&CA was established in 1922 by café operators as a way of sharing information, saving money and talking to government. R&CA also celebrates the achievements of operators through its Awards for Excellence program.
CEO
Our Board
National President
Mike Palmer
Vice President
Con Castrisos OAM
Treasurer
Greg Hobby
Immediate Past President
Con Castrisos OAM
Independent Directors
Kristie Atkins
Craig Carter
John Hart OAM
State Representative Directors
NSW/ACT – Carlo Tosolini
QLD/NT – Clare Kellam
SA – Greg Hobby
VIC/TAS – Matteo Pignatelli
WA – TBD
The Sector
R&CA is the national industry association representing the interests of more than 57,000 restaurants, cafés, and catering businesses across Australia. The café, restaurant, and catering sector is vitally important to the national economy, generating over $35 billion in retail turnover each year as well as employing 580,000 people.
R&CA delivers tangible outcomes to small businesses within the hospitality industry by offering evidence-based solutions to various industry challenges. Our aim is to improve regulations and policies that impact the sector’s operating environment to foster robust and prosperous businesses across Australia. We work to ensure that the industry is respected for its integrity, professionalism, and dedication to excellence. This includes advocating the broader social and economic contribution of the sector to industry and government stakeholders, as well as highlighting the value of the industry to the Australian way of life.