There’s a new restaurant association for Central Florida. It’s called Central Florida Restaurant Association.

Al Gardner, president of A & L Associates, a hospitality management consulting firm, and restaurant and bar owner Jesse Newton and co-founded Central Florida Restaurant Association. According to the CFRA’s website, the organization’s vision is “To provide Central Florida’s leading restaurants, bars and related allied businesses with the most dynamic forum to establish and nurture relationships with which to energetically lead the area’s dining culture for the ultimate benefit of increasing profitability within member foodservice venues and to positively influence the overall economic growth of the foodservice industry in the great Central Florida area.”

At a kickoff reception at Earls Kitchen + Bar last month, Gardner explained that CFRA will provide a different service from other associations, such as the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) or National Restaurant Association (the other NRA), which he says are primarily focused on lobbying issues.

CFRA, which will have monthly meetings for members, will hold its inaugural dinner meeting on Wednesday, February 8, at Funky Monkey. Nonmembers may attend, so if you’re a restaurateur who’s interested in a new organization focused on local issues, you might want to look into it. Details at the Central Florida Restaurant Association’s website.