American Rescue Plan Act 

The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law in March. This long overdue federal legislation includes a $28.6 billion restaurant revitalization fund to provide direct grant support for restaurants hit by the COVID pandemic. Food service and drinking establishments are eligible for this, including caterers, that are not an affiliated group with more than 20 locations. Publicly traded companies are not eligible. The eligible expenses include payroll, mortgage, rent, utilities, supplies, food and other expenses from February 15, 2020 to the end of 2021 deemed essential by the SBA. For restaurants in operation before 2019, take your 2019 gross revenue, deduct 2020 gross revenue and total amount of PPP loans to determine amount of grant funding. For restaurants that opened in 2019, it is the average 2019 monthly gross revenues times 12, less 2020 revenues and PPP loans. Final regulations are being determined by the SBA.