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The Small Business Administration has already received 186,200 Restaurant Revitalization Fund applicationsThe Small Business Administration has already received 186,200 Restaurant Revitalization Fund applications

The Small Business Administration has received applications from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. within the first 48 hours of the application opening

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

May 5, 2021

1 Min Read
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The U.S. Small Business Administration has already received 186,200 Restaurant Revitalization Fund applications from all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. and five U.S. territories within the first 48 hours the application portal has opened, according to the White House.

About one-third of applications (61,700) came from businesses with under $500,000 in pre-pandemic reported revenue. The SBA has set aside $9.5 billion for the smallest restaurants and bars with under $50,000 in revenue.

More than half of all applications (97,600) came from women (46,400), veterans (4,200), socially or economically individuals (30,800), or some combination of all three (16,200). For the first 21 days of the program, the SBA will prioritize women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Following the first 21 days, funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

According to one early applicant — Dina Samson, owner of Rossoblu and Superfine pizza in Los Angeles — the process for applying for the RRF grants was much easier and more straightforward than the first round of PPP loan applications.

For operators that have not yet applied for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant, the latest information on how and where to apply is here and here is what a sample application looks like

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

Find her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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