Information for Hospitality, Restaurant, and Beverage Industries

Updated April 2, 2020

**This is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended as offering business, legal, tax or any other advice. Also, this listing includes some resources and programs that we have learned about – it is in no way exhaustive.

FEDERAL PROGRAMS

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan

The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. To apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan, click here.

SBA Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a loan program specifically designed to help small businesses keep their workforce employed. It will be available retroactive from Feb. 15, 2020, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees through June 30, 2020. Most importantly, the SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first eight weeks of payroll costs, rent, utilities, and mortgage interest.

Participating SBA 7(a) lenders, banks and credit unions will be offering PPP loans starting April 3, 2020. Businesses should apply directly to these participating lenders.

Click HERE for more information from the SBA.

Employee Retention Tax Credit

The tax credit provides all businesses with a refundable payroll tax credit for 50% of wages paid by employers to employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers with 100 or fewer employees may claim the credit for all employee wages, regardless of whether the employer is fully operating or partially or fully shut down. Companies with more than 100 employees may claim the credit for employees who are on the payroll but not currently working due to the crisis. The credit is provided for the first $10,000 of compensation, including health benefits, paid to an employee for wages paid from 3/13/2020-12/31/2020. Employers who participate in the PPP are not eligible for ERTC. Click here for more information.

Federal Tax Filing Deadline Extension – Until July 15. Click HERE for more information.

RHODE ISLAND

Emergency Bridge Loans for Restaurants and Small Businesses

Businesses must have 1 to 10 employees to be eligible; restaurants may have any number of employees. The loan would be payable upon receipt of requested funds from SBA or 180 days, whichever is sooner. You can apply for these loans starting Friday, April 3, through the LISC website.

Rhode Island Hospitality Association Employee Relief Fund

The purpose of the RI Hospitality Employee Relief Fund is to provide foodservice, lodging, and tourism employees who have been laid off due to COVID-19 and are facing a financial hardship in supporting their families with food and shelter an opportunity to apply for financial assistance.

State Tax Filings – Extension until July 15, 2020

Municipal Tax Relief – check with your town for deadline extension.

Newport County Virtual Tip Jar – Learn more

CONNECTICUT

CT Restaurant Association Employee Relief Fund

CT Hospitality Employee Relief Fund to provide immediate emergency funds to hospitality workers.  CHEF, funded by private, community and individual donations, will distribute the funds donated to the Employee Relief Fund as grants to hospitality employees during these uncertain times of mandated business shutdowns. Application deadline is April 3, 2020 at noon. Click here for more information.

Deferment of Certain Sales Tax Payments

There is a two-month extension of filing and payment deadlines for certain small businesses. Taxpayers that have $150,000 or less in annual sales tax liability qualify for an automatic extension of time to file and pay. Learn more.

State Tax Filing Extensions – Learn more

Municipal Tax Relief – check with your town for deadline extension.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION PROGRAMS

NRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

The application portal for The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Restaurant Employee Relief Fund  is now open. Industry icon Guy Fieri is helping the Foundation launch a nationwide Restaurant Relief America fundraising campaign to raise money for the national initiative. Close to $10 million has been raised so far.

Our Partners Helping Hands

Bravazzi, Itz Spritz Pay it Forward to Small Businesses

Female-founded beverage company donating $1 per case sold through May 2020 to GoFundMe’s Small Business Relief Fund. The donation applies to all Bravazzi and Itz Spritz packages. As a small business that received amazing support along their journey, they know how important their support to others during this time is. That is why they are giving back to small businesses just like them!

Diageo Pledge of Support

Diageo has pledged $1.75MM to support the bar and restaurant community. $1MM is funding the USBG Emergency Assistance Fund to directly help bartenders during this time. $750k is going to support local community efforts through the Guinness Give Back Fund. These donations will go straight to helping the individuals who serve us during this time of uncertainty, and Diageo wants them to know that there is help and support when they need it most!

Crown Royal Generosity Hour

Crown Royal has kicked off their second round of #GenerosityHour as they continue to bring people together and give back to bartenders around the country. Generosity Hour will give back to the USBG Bartender Emergency Relief Fund as they raise $200k.  This is in addition to Diageo’s $1MM USBG Emergency Assistance Fund donation that was previously mentioned.

New Belgium Brewing Company Come Together

New Belgium Brewing Company recognizes the impact that COVID-19 has had on the food and beverage industry. They announced a Bar & Restaurant Relief Fund in support. Seeding the fund with a $50,000 donation, they have also commited to match new donations up to an additional $50,000. They invite businesses and individuals who are able, to donate and support the many food and beverage employees in critical need of financial assistance right now.

Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey “Skrew COVID-19”

As promised, and because of your help, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey is donating $250,000 to USBG’s Bartender’s Emergency Assistance Program. More importantly, YOU also contributed and helped raise additional funds for this important cause. They are not stopping there! Skrewball is committed to donating $500,000 that they challanged their followers to reach last week. They are doing everything they can to help everyone impacted in the bar and food service industry. Skrewball will also be working with Children of Restaurant Employees (C.O.R.E.), the California Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Cares Program, and more, to donate an additional $250,000 to these important causes.

Sazerac Company Launches World’s Biggest Tip Jar

Join us in filling the World’s Biggest Tip Jar! Sazerac started filling the jar with a $100,000 donation and will match all contributions up to $400,000. As many states close bars and restaurants, the next few months will be especially hard for those who work in the service industry…but we can all help.  Please join Sazerac in filling the World’s Biggest Tip Jar and give what you would usually tip while out and about.  

Staff Meals On Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard’s Commercial Advocacy Team has been providing free meals to bartenders who are out of work each week. Unemployed industry employees can follow their local Brand Ambassadors and Activation Specialists on Instagram to learn more and place orders. Last week Pernod Ricard distributed ~1.4K meals!