Petitions and Showing Your Support.
What is the impact of store and restaurant closures? As most retailers know traffic equals sales. See this interactive tracker which uses cellphone data to see how foot traffic to several retail brands has been impacted.
Tell Congress: Support Bipartisan Efforts to Improve Relief Efforts and To Provide Additional Funding
Restaurants and employees across the country are dealing with the heart-wrenching reality of skeleton operations because of state-mandated shutdowns. From corner diners to steakhouses to locally-operated chains, all are facing the tough decision of how they will weather the COVID-19 crisis, resume operations, and get employees back to work. So far, more than three million restaurant employees have lost their jobs, and 15 percent of all restaurants have permanently closed or are considering it in the next two weeks. The restaurant industry has lost over $25 billion just since the crisis began.
Congress has created new loan programs to help small businesses, but restaurant owners are finding that they are not being implemented in a way that provides the relief they need now.
Operators from around the country are engaging Congress on behalf of the industry. But we need your help to amplify our efforts! Please take a few moments to email your Representatives and Senators and tell them:
Congress has created new loan programs to help small businesses, but restaurant owners are finding that they are not being implemented in a way that provides the relief they need now.
Operators from around the country are engaging Congress on behalf of the industry. But we need your help to amplify our efforts! Please take a few moments to email your Representatives and Senators and tell them:
- You support bipartisan efforts to provide additional funding;
- And you support Congress taking action to make loan terms and other requirements flexible to reflect the unique operational and business model of restaurants.
Help Improve the CARES Act for All Texas Restaurants
We appreciate the enormous challenge our Representatives and Senators had in implementing the recently enacted “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (CARES Act). Clearly a loan or grant opportunity created to support us during a crisis is a good thing.
However, we can celebrate access to these funds but we must also now advocate for vital changes to this program. While there are many things related to implementation that have been clunky, there are also fundamental flaws in this Act that we need to address.
Use this messaging platform to tell your U.S. Representatives and Senators from Texas about these immediate changes we need to see. Not in a month, not in two weeks, but now.
However, we can celebrate access to these funds but we must also now advocate for vital changes to this program. While there are many things related to implementation that have been clunky, there are also fundamental flaws in this Act that we need to address.
Use this messaging platform to tell your U.S. Representatives and Senators from Texas about these immediate changes we need to see. Not in a month, not in two weeks, but now.
Gift cards from local businesses
To support small businesses in the San Antonio/Austin and Texas area affected by the COVID 19 crisis. This project is a joint effort by Clear Launch, Notley Ventures, and Sabot Development leveraging Square infrastructure to support our local businesses. Each merchant has their own page where the transaction takes place. LocalSupportCard.com does not take any percentage or "cut" of the money.
Ask Texas Mayors To Help Restaurants
The restaurant industry faces an unparalleled and existential crisis. As Texas’s second largest employer with 1.4 million employees and more than 50,000 locations in every corner of the state, the negative impacts on our industry hit everyone. Texas mayors and local officials wield significant influence in their communities. As they review relief efforts in their city, we encourage Texas mayors and their colleagues to consider the following areas under their executive authority or in conjunction with the city council:
- Direct Aid to Restaurants and Employees
- Taxes and Fees
- Commercial Payment Relief
- Regulatory Relief
- Delivery Regulations
Dishing Out Relief- TX Restaurant Association Relief Fund
Silent auction 'Dishing Out Relief' hosted online at 32auctions. This auction consists of exclusive chef and food experiences, gift certificates, products, memorabilia, and much more. All proceeds benefit the Texas Restaurant Relief Fund, which was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has created a challenge of catastrophic magnitude for the restaurant industry. In Texas, the pandemic has caused 688,000 job losses, $80B in lost sales revenue, and caused 34% of Texas’ 50,000 restaurants to close since March 15. We're working hard to put critical funds directly into the hands of the Texas restaurant communities’ most vulnerable population, independent restaurant owners, which in turn will help to save the jobs of the workers they employ. Restaurants in Texas are facing a catastrophe unlike we’ve ever seen and appreciate the support from our partners as we work to save restaurants.
The auction is open to everyone – industry and the general public – and will also accepts direct donations too! So place your bids and take advantage of these memorable items and experiences.
The auction is open to everyone – industry and the general public – and will also accepts direct donations too! So place your bids and take advantage of these memorable items and experiences.
- Wolfgang Puck autographed chef jacket
- 5 course private dinner for 10 by Chef Stephan Pyles
- Courtside Dallas Mavericks tickets and photo with player
- Dinner party for 10 with Chef Kent Rathbun at private residence
- Front Burner home dinner party experience with Chefs from Ida Claire, Mexican Sugar and Whiskey Cake
- A year’s supply of Vital Farms Eggs
- Lucchese Bootmaker gift card for $500
- A private in-home wine tasting presented by Court of Master Sommelier Certified Professional
- Tickets to sporting events
- Gift Cards
- And much more
How has COVID-19 affected your business?
In order to continue to address your needs, we need to know more about the effects of the pandemic on your business. The Texas Restaurant Association has partnered with Rice University, the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, and Senator Kirk Watson to create this critical business impact survey. This survey asks questions about how your business has been impacted due to recent policy changes at the national, state, and local levels. The results will be used to formulate the next steps in public policy that could help provide relief. We appreciate you taking the time to answer this survey, which should take you about 10 minutes.
NRA's Restaurant Operator Survey
The National Restaurant Association Research Group developed a brief survey designed to collect important data to inform our ongoing advocacy activities. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and help us continue to advocate for additional relief packages.
Texas Restaurant Relief Fund
Since the launch of the TX Restaurant Relief Fund on March 23, we've raised more than $1.5M to give back to restaurants in the state. Funds received will help keep independently owned restaurants open and their workers employed. As restaurants await relief from the government through the stimulus package and navigate the application process for loans, they are fighting for their survival. We need to get money into their hands today. If you cannot donate yourself, please share this initiative with your friends and contacts.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Joe Monastero at jmonastero@txrestaurant.org.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Joe Monastero at jmonastero@txrestaurant.org.
COVID-19 Small Business Survey
The health of your business continues to be our priority as we are faced with much uncertainty in our community. Please take this quick COVID-19 Busines Survey so we can better provide you information and access to resources to meet ongoing business challenges. The SAHCC continues to operate and we are committed to meeting your membership needs. All answers are kept confidential and will not be shared with any outside parties. Take Survey
