GRA President + CEO Karen Bremer Honored for 50 Years of Hospitality Leadership

GRA President + CEO Karen Bremer Honored for 50 Years of Hospitality Leadership at Georgia State University

On Thursday, October 26, Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) President + CEO Karen Bremer, CAE, was honored for 50 years of outstanding hospitality leadership at the Georgia State University (GSU) Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality’s 50^thAnniversary Awards Gala. To honor Karen’s lifelong impact on the industry and upcoming retirement, the University unveiled a new position titled the Karen Bremer Executive-in-Residence for Hospitality Leadership. 

Prior to assuming leadership of the GRA in 2010, Karen was a founding member and served as a past president of the GRA board. During her career, she was the owner of Dailey’s and City Grill restaurants and a top executive, and ultimately president, of Peasant Restaurant Group. 

In the past 13 years as President + CEO of the GRA, Karen has led a team to serve as the unified voice for over 18,500 food and beverage businesses in the state of Georgia which provide more than 500,000 jobs. Under her leadership, the GRA has built a successful community of restaurants through strategic grassroots advocacy, formed coalitions with other state organizations to get major bills passed (such as the Brunch Bill, Merlot to Go and Cocktails to Go), and collaborated with municipal and county governments across Georgia to create an equitable business environment for restaurants to thrive. 

Karen serves on the Industry Advisory Board for the Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality and has mentored several students from the program over the years. According to the University, the Karen Bremer Executive-in-Residence position “will allow visionary foodservice leaders to conduct special sessions and summits with hospitality students at least twice per academic year.” 

Two of Karen’s industry peers - and longtime friends - presented the award: Director of the Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality, Debby Cannon, Ph.D., and GRA Founder George McKerrow, who is also the Co-Founder + CEO of Ted’s Montana Grill. The GRA extends heartfelt congratulations to Karen for this wonderful achievement!