The SBA is working to launch the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and has said funds could be available to restaurant owners as soon as the beginning of April.

As part of the last wave of legislation known as the American Rescue Plan Act, the $28.6 Billion RRF was established to provide grants to restaurants equal to their pandemic-related loss, up to $10 million per entity or $5 million per physical location.

The American Rescue Plan Act requires:

• The first $5 million be set aside for the smallest applicants ($500,00 or less in 2019 gross receipts)
• During the first 21 days of the grants, the SBA will prioritize applications from restaurants owned and operated or controlled by women, veterans, or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

After this first period, funds will become available for additional businesses that qualify.

Grant Funds can be used for:

• Payroll costs;
• Principal and interest payments on a mortgage, not including any prepayments on principal.
• Rent payments, not including prepayments;
• Utilities;
• Maintenance expenses including construction to accommodate outdoor seating and walls, floods, deck surfaces, furniture, fixtures, and equipment;
• Supplies including personal protective equipment and cleaning materials;
• Food and beverage expenses within the eligible entity's scope of normal business practice before the covered period, which runs from Feb. 15, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2021, or another date as determined by the SBA;
• Covered supplier costs;
• Operational expenses;
• Paid sick leave; and
• Any other expenses the SBA determines to be essential to maintaining the eligible entity.