May 29, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Restaurant and foodservice industry supports more than 21 million jobs and generates over $2.5 trillion in economic activity annually along a national supply chain. Today, more than 70 partners in that supply chain spoke out in support of the need for more government relief for restaurants.
“From beloved corner restaurants to national chains, restaurants in every community are teetering on the edge of survival, which is why we continue to talk with Congress about a Restaurant and Foodservice Recovery Fund,” said Sean Kennedy, executive vice president of Public Affairs for the National Restaurant Association. “We value the support of our suppliers and business partners who have signed on this letter and who have stuck with us during this uncertain time. With their help, and the help of Congress, the whole restaurant industry can recover and thrive again.”
In the letter to congressional leaders, the coalition of partners and trade groups highlighted how the pandemic shutdown and new social distancing regulations are impacting the interconnected supply chain. They emphasized that what hurts restaurants hurts companies and employees across the economy.
The letter noted that while Congress and the President have taken historic and bipartisan action to help the country, the restaurant industry has been hardest hit during this crisis and will need specific support to recover so it is able to help drive a national economic revitalization.
“Helping restaurants recover will help all of our industries and will provide a powerful and locally-targeted tool to help reunite and rebuild communities across the country in the days ahead,” the letter said.
The 70 organizations signing the letter represent big and small supply chain providers critical to the industry, including:
- American Frozen Food Institute
- American Scallop Association
- Consumer Brands Association
- Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
- International Foodservice Distributors Association
- Long Island Commercial Fishing Association
- National Beer Wholesalers Association
- National Fisheries Institute
- PepsiCo
- Sysco
- The Coca-Cola Company
- UniPro Foodservice, Inc.
- US Foods
- Western Growers Association
- Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
Read the full letter here.
Get more information about the National Restaurant Association industry-first restaurant relief program and other industry impacts here.
###
Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 15.6 million employees. We represent the industry in Washington, D.C., and advocate on its behalf. We sponsor the industry’s largest trade show (National Restaurant Association Show); leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF’s ProStart). For more information, visit Restaurant.org and find us on Twitter @WeRRestaurants, Facebook and YouTube.
Contact: Vanessa Sink (202) 331-5900
