Chefs,
With so much happening in Congress, we wanted to take a moment to breakdown the RESTAURANTS Act, the bill backed by the Independent Restaurant Coalition (and there’s still time to call on Congress for their support!). The RESTAURANTS Act would create a $120 billion grant program for restaurant relief, administered by the Department of the Treasury, with funds available to foodservice and drinking establishments that are “not publicly traded or part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name.” Read more from Rep. Blumenauer’s office here.
Download and share the new ad from the IRC, narrated by Oscar Award—winning actor Morgan Freeman, that calls for help from Congress and the public as restaurants are “facing extinction.”
It’s time Congress steps up to #SaveRestaurants by passing the RESTAURANTS Act. Share our new ad that is airing on cable news networks in DC and in select markets across the country and take action now at https://t.co/EI2cGelrpl.pic.twitter.com/bOjG9mpvVM
— Independent Restaurant Coalition (@IndpRestaurants) August 3, 2020
The National Restaurant Association (NRA) also released a Blueprint for Restaurant Survival that includes additional policy options and recommendations that would support restaurants, including:
- A second installment of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
- Allowance for business expenses paid with PPP funds to be tax-deductible
- A long-term loan program
- Enhanced Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)
- Acknowledgment of Business Interruption Claims/pandemic insurance
- Liability protection
Read the full Blueprint here, and a summary here.
Best,
Ashley Kosiak and the James Beard Foundation Impact Programs team
