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The National Restaurant Association released guidance for Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant recipientsThe National Restaurant Association released guidance for Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant recipients

The ‘Next Steps’ Guide shows operators what they should do if they receive a grant, besides spend it wisely

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

May 12, 2021

1 Min Read
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Restaurants that are reopening will need to keep track of their records.Nancy Luna

Joanna Fantozzi

The National Restaurant Association has released a guide for restaurants and bars that applied for the Restaurant Revitalization fund, which opened on May 3, including records to maintain and keep track of and learning how to address new funds in tax filings.

Keep a copy of all submitted records, including the application itself

Keep all financial forms, business records and the application itself on-hand for reference.

Don’t throw away records that were not submitted

The SBA will be looking for proof of how long a restaurant has been open for and you’ll want to keep all receipts on hand, even if they were not necessary for your application. These records might include:

  • Evidence that supports when the business opened/began making sales.

  • How the grant was calculated

  • Documentation that proves/asserts that applicant as part of a priority group (if relevant)

  • Information regarding affiliated businesses

  • Information regarding ownership shares

Make a plan for how the grant money will be spent

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund has specific rules on what the funds can be used for, as detailed here.  You must return the funds if you were considering using the money for something outside of those jurisdictions. Remember that the RRF can only be used to pay off principal and interest payments of a debt, and not the entire debt. Payroll expenses can only be paid only if employees earn $100,000 per year.

Related:SBA data confirms that the current Restaurant Revitalization Fund can’t meet demand

Read more tips on what restaurants should do after receiving a Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant in Restaurant Hospitality.

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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