National Restaurant Association Statement on Bipartisan Relief Package

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – National Restaurant Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Sean Kennedy released the following statement today regarding passage of bipartisan legislation to increase COVID-19 relief programs for businesses and employees:

“We appreciate the leadership and action taken by President Trump and congressional leaders today and throughout the COVID-19 crisis.  While relief programs like the Paycheck Protection Program have benefited a wide range of small businesses, the restaurant industry remains one of the most vulnerable in the country.  

“No industry has suffered more job losses, closed more locations or lost more revenue than ours.  For an industry that is the second-largest private-sector employer in the country, this should be an alarm call to elected officials at the state and local level and in Washington. Every restaurant model, from the beloved corner diner, to the favorite independent restaurant, to the well-known chain has an uncertain future as economic damage wrecks an industry that is only marginally profitable even in the best of times. 

“Restaurants need targeted help, through initiatives like our Blueprint for Recovery. We look forward to working with Congress and President Trump to build bipartisan consensus around this plan so restaurants and employees survive today, recover, and rebuild in the days ahead.”