April 29, 2026 — Two Wisconsin high school ProStart teams earned a Top 10 national finish at the 2026 National ProStart Invitational, held April 24–26 in Baltimore, Maryland, proudly representing the state among the nation’s best emerging culinary and restaurant management talent.
Students from Franklin High School and Badger High School in Lake Geneva competed as Team Wisconsin, each finishing 10th in the country against more than 400 students from nearly every state. The National ProStart Invitational is organized by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and serves as the culmination of the ProStart program, with teams qualifying by winning their respective state competitions, making a national Top 10 finish a significant distinction.
- Badger High School competed in the Culinary Competition, where teams of up to five students prepare a three-course meal in just 60 minutes using only two butane burners and no electricity.
- Franklin High School competed in the Restaurant Management Competition, presenting and defending an original restaurant business concept before panels of industry judges.
Team Wisconsin’s success reflects the high standards, professionalism, and teamwork fostered through Wisconsin’s ProStart program, which is funded primarily by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation (WRAEF). ProStart in Wisconsin exemplifies the association’s long-standing commitment to workforce development and career pathways for young people across the state.
“What these students created —from a “Farmstead Forward” Midwest fine dining menu to a “Chicken Atlas” globally inspired fast casual restaurant business plan”— is the kind of work that would stand out on any restaurant row in America,” said Alex Vernon, ProStart Manager of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation. “Earning 10th place at the National ProStart Invitational confirms that. Beyond the ranking, what truly inspires us is seeing young people realize what they’re capable of.”
A special thank you to the ProStart educators and industry mentors whose dedication, guidance, and support helped prepare these students for national level competition. Their mentorship shaped an outstanding group of young leaders who represented Wisconsin with pride and excellence. Sincere thanks also to the Culver’s Foundation for its generous support, which made travel possible for participating students.
Below you’ll find the student submissions from the National competition including the culinary menu & plates (Badger High School) and management presentation posters (Franklin High School).
Photos can be downloaded here for editorial use: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12iZ9KqHaoe9poIYJ-Ld_WQ0LHjgiKGNx?usp=sharing
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association (WRA) is the voice of Wisconsin’s essential restaurant and hospitality sector. We represent over 7,000 restaurant locations statewide, from seasonal drive-ins, supper clubs and neighborhood bars to fine-dining and large resorts. Most of our members hold alcohol licenses.
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation (WRAEF) advances the industry by supporting workforce development, education, and training initiatives that help build a strong, skilled hospitality workforce across the state.
Key Facts for Wisconsin’s Workforce & Economy:
- Major Employer: Restaurants employ 9 percent of Wisconsin’s workforce, making our industry vital to the state’s economic health.
- Independent Core: Over 75% of our members are independent restaurants and restaurant groups, underscoring our commitment to local small business owners. Twenty percent of our members are locally owned franchisees of major hospitality brands.
- Community Cornerstones: Beyond jobs and hospitality, restaurants are the cornerstones of their neighborhoods. They actively support local schools, teams, charities, and churches through regular fundraising and donations, providing safe, vital meeting places for every community need.
