Here’s a look at last week’s hospitality news headlines:
The US House of Representatives has proposed a Covid-19 relief bill that will infuse the hospitality industry with much needed cash. The proposed bill would provide the relief necessary for many restaurants to survive the coming winter months. Independent restaurants, bars, and food trucks would be eligible for grants proportional to their comparative YoY losses. Larger national restaurant and hotel chains would have another crack at Paycheck Protection Program loans. It also contains a $1200/per taxpayer stimulus check and restoration of the $600/week federal unemployment payments through January.
The Senate must now negotiate and pass the bill for it to take effect. It’s unclear when a deal might be negotiated in the Senate. President Trump’s recent hospitalization due to his Covid-19 diagnosis, and the subsequent infection of several Republican Senators has delayed the Senate’s return until October 19th.
In other news, New York City’s return to limited indoor dining is off and running with several new restaurant openings. The Union Square Hospitality Group has exciting new technologies to make indoor dining safer. And restaurants in Canada face another shut down. Read on for more news.
Our Customers and Partners:
- USHG Partners with CLEAR to Help Employees and Indoor Diners Stay Safe [CNBC]
Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group announced their new partnership with CLEAR to help promote safe indoor dining in their restaurants. CLEAR’s Health Pass program takes and records employee temperatures. USHG has also implemented new air filtration technology, redesigned their dining rooms for social distancing, and developed comprehensive contract tracing protocol.
News:
- $2.2 Trillion Covid Relief Bill Includes $120 Billion for Restaurants [Nation’s Restaurant News]
House Democrats updated their HEROES Act proposal to include $120 billion in grants for independent restaurants, bars, and food trucks. The Independent Restaurant Coalition and the National Restaurant Association have asked Congress to support the relief bill which also includes another round of Paycheck Protection Program loans for small businesses.
- Stimulus Package Agreement This Week? Update on Negotiations Over a Second Check [Cnet]
Amidst the news of President Trump and several Republican Senators testing positive for Covid-19, it is unclear when a new coronavirus stimulus package could potentially be negotiated and approved. Negotiations must occur quickly in order to implement one before the election, Nov 3rd. - Quebec, Ontario in Second Covid-19 Wave; Restrictions Return [Associated Press]
Montreal and Quebec City are returning to a “red-zone” lockdown which includes closing restaurants and bars, except for delivery. New cases are high in the province, as well as in Ontario. The Ontario Hospital Association recommends a similar shut down for Toronto and Ottawa.
Trends:
- A Running List of New Restaurants That Opened in New York City, October 2020 [Eater]
After a more than 6-month hiatus, New York City restaurants have the go-ahead to open indoor dining at 25% capacity. New restaurant openings that were planned for the spring and summer were delayed by the shut-down. Here’s a running list of new outlets hitting the market as of October. - Darden Restaurants Inc. Finds Consumer Demand Exceeds Limited Covid-19 Capacity
[Nation’s Restaurant News]
Darden Restaurants Inc., who’s portfolio includes Olive Garden, Yard House and other national restaurant chains, says that customer demand for indoor dining exceeds current capacity restrictions due to Covid-19. Darden’s same-store sales are down 29% across all brands.
Click here for last week’s hospitality news headlines.
