The Restaurant Revitalization Fund program (RRF) was established by the American Rescue Plan Act to provide relief funding to restaurants and other eligible business impacted by the global pandemic. SBA opened the RRF Portal for applications on May 3, 2021. The RRF Application Portal is currently open, apply now before funding runs out. Applications are now closed.
Who can apply?
Eligible businesses who have suffered pandemic related revenue loss include:
- 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
Non eligible entities include non profits, stated or local government operated businesses, publicly-traded companies, or owners that operate more than 20 locations as of March 13, 2020. Any entity that has received an SVOG grant or has a SVOG application pending is ineligible for the RRF grant.
PPP loan recipients may still apply for the RRF grant. However, any sums received through the PPP program will be subtracted from the RRF applicant’s final funding amount.
What can a business use the funds 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 excluding expansion costs
- Business supplies (including protective equipment and cleaning materials)
- Business food and beverage expenses (including raw materials)
- Covered supplier costs
- Business operating expenses
How much is a business eligible for?
An eligible business may get funding up to $5 million per location, not to exceed $10 million total for the applicant and any affiliated businesses. The minimum award is $1,000.
When can I apply?
SBA RRF Portal is open for applications now! Apply Here!
- From Day 1 – 21: All eligible business may apply from the first day the applications are being accepted. However, the SBA will only process and fund applications from the following priority groups below:
- A small business concern that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more individuals who are women, veterans, socially and economically disadvantaged.
- 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.
- From Day 22 – Exhaustion of funds: SBA will process applications from all applicants in the order in which they are approved.
How long does a business have to use the RRF funds?
The funds must be spent on expenses that were/are incurred between February 15, 2020 and March 11, 2023. Any funds not spent on eligible expenses by the time the covered period expires must be returned to the government. After the total awarded funds have been exhausted, entities are required to provide a detailed expenditure report and certification for the required period.
How does a business apply?
Eligible businesses may apply through SBA-recognized Point of Sale vendors or directly via https://restaurants.sba.gov. Registration with SAM.gov is not required. DUNS or CAGE identifiers are also not required. Applicants will be required to fill the form SBA Form 3172. Information on how to calculate your potential fund amount and required documentation is available on the SBA website