SBA Guidance Released on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Program

On April 17, 2021, the SBA launched a dedicated website for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RFF) program. The website includes a sample application and a detailed program guide. Though not the ‘official’ application, it is anticipated that the funds allocated to this program are going to go very quickly, so I would suggest using the sample application as a means to get organized so that an application can be submitted once the portal goes live.

The SBA has not yet announced when they will begin accepting applications. From the day that the application portal opens through the 21st day thereafter, the SBA will accept applications from all eligible applicants. However, it will process and fund only applications from entities that can certify that they are small businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and/or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Starting on day 22, the SBA will accept applications from all eligible applicants and process the applications in the order in which they are approved by the SBA; though all funding is subject to the set asides for the smallest of the small businesses with 2019 gross receipts ranging from $50,000 to $1,500,000.

If you are not already aware, the American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund program with an appropriated $28.6 billion for eligible entities to receive up to $5 million per location, not to exceed $10 million per applicant / affiliated business. You can review the prior Taft bulletins on the RRF program here: SBA Part Forty-One: New Restaurant Revitalization Fund Program to Provide Support for Eligible Restaurants and SBA Part Forty-Two: Important Information on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Program.