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Eligible franchisees will be able to apply for Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants, Congressman saysEligible franchisees will be able to apply for Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants, Congressman says

The Small Business Administration will likely open up application ‘within weeks, not months’

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

March 10, 2021

1 Min Read
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Small businesses will soon be able to apply for grants from the SBA.Gwengoat / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Joanna Fantozzi

Franchisees of larger chains that do not own more than 20 locations are eligible to apply for Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D- Or.) confirmed in a press conference with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D- N.Y.) and members of the Independent Restaurant Coalition Wednesday morning. 

Following the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan's passage in the House on Wednesday, President Biden is expected to sign the stimulus package into law Friday afternoon, and the Small Business Administration is likely to begin processing restaurant grant applications "within weeks, not months," Blumenauer said.

After the American Rescue Plan was voted on initially by the House on March 1, the Senate increased the amount of money for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund from the initially proposed $25 billion to $28.6 billion. The funding would be divided into government-funded grants with a maximum of $10 million per restaurant group or $5 million per individual restaurant location. Eligible businesses include foodservice and drinking establishments that are not part of an affiliated restaurant group with more than 20 locations and are not publicly traded.

Read answers to commonly asked restaurant relief questions on Restaurant-Hospitality.com here.  

Related:Independent operators ‘meet’ with White House officials to advocate for financial relief

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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