If there’s anything to know about Arizona’s restaurant economy, it’s this: Restaurants are the state’s third-largest employer. They generate billions of dollars in revenue.

The restaurant economy, at the conclusion of 2025, “will post sales of just over $23 billion. That’s billion with a B,” predicted Arizona Restaurant Association CEO Steve Chucri in an interview with InMaricopa .

For context, legislators approved $17 billion for the entire Arizona state budget.

As head of the ARA, Chucri is the authority on the state’s restaurant economy. The association has been around for 86 years, watching restaurants in every category come and go — far longer than most of us. For him, serving in this role is both a passion and a privilege.

“Restaurants touch people’s lives each and every day. W

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