Here’s How to Get Free Money for Your Restaurant Today
Today is the day the federal government opens up the application process for restaurants to get some free money to help cover losses. The portal opens at 11am.
Here are the documents you need to have ready before you apply:
- Business Information – including owners and their tax identification information
- 2019 and 2020 Tax Return Information
- Relevant PPP Loan Information (including SBA Number and Amount)
- Bank Account (Operating Account Information)
- Bank Account Online Credentials for Secure Linking to the SBA
Set Up Account Ahead of Time
When you go to the SBA website, you will have to create an account before you are eligible to apply. I went through this process and it took about 10 minutes. I suggest you do that asap so you can apply for the help as soon as the portal opens. Click here to do that.
The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to offer money to restaurants, bars and other businesses keep their doors open. The goal is to replace revenue these businesses lost during the pandemic. The maximum is $10 million per business. You don't have to pay back the money if you use it for eligible expenses before March 11, 2023.
Who can apply
- Restaurants
- Food stands, food trucks, food carts
- Caterers
- Bars, saloons, lounges, taverns
- Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars
- Bakeries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
- Brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
- Breweries and/or microbreweries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
- Wineries and distilleries (onsite sales to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
- Inns (onsite sales of food and beverage to the public comprise at least 33% of gross receipts)
- Licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products
Priority groups
- A small business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more individuals who are:
- Women, or
- Veterans, or
- Socially and economically disadvantaged (see below).
- Applicants must self-certify on the application that they meet eligibility requirements
- Socially disadvantaged individuals are those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of their identity as a member of a group without regard to their individual qualities.
- Economically disadvantaged individuals are those socially disadvantaged individuals whose ability to compete in the free enterprise system has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities as compared to others in the same business area who are not socially disadvantaged.
One positive not about this program is that $5 billion dollars of the money is being set aside for businesses with gross receipts under $500,000 for 2019. This means a chunk of the money will go to small businesses.
Here are some of the things the money can be used for:
- Business payroll costs (including sick leave)
- Payments on any business mortgage obligation
- Business rent payments (note: this does not include prepayment of rent)
- Business debt service (both principal and interest; note: this does not include any prepayment of principal or interest)
- Business utility payments
- Business maintenance expenses
- Construction of outdoor seating
- Business supplies (including protective equipment and cleaning materials)
- Business food and beverage expenses (including raw materials)
- Covered supplier costs
- Business operating expenses
CLICK HERE to apply.
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