National ACE To Open Applications for the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund in Partnership with the Grubhub Community Fund to Help Struggling AAPI-owned Restaurants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2022
Contact:
Daniel Oliver
202-774-8740
National ACE To Open Applications for the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund in Partnership with the Grubhub Community Fund to Help Struggling AAPI-owned Restaurants
Independent restaurants across the country can apply for a grant up to $100,000 through the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund
CHICAGO, IL and WASHINGTON, D.C., May 26, 2022 -- The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE) today announced the second year of the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund to support independent, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned restaurants, a program enabled by a grant from the Grubhub Community Fund. With the industry facing unprecedented challenges since the pandemic began over two years ago, the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund is available to help restaurants respond to supply chain disruptions, increased inventory costs, workforce development, and discrimination. The monetary grants can help pay employees' wages, expand operations, renovate for new business needs, upgrade equipment, explore e-commerce offerings, or repair damage to the place of business caused by anti-Asian sentiment.
“Our AAPI-owned restaurants have experienced severe losses throughout the pandemic and even worse, continue to be victims of hate, discrimination, and bias at their places of business,” said Chiling Tong President and CEO of National ACE. "Grubhub's ongoing commitment to AAPI-owned restaurants is demonstrated by the continuation of this amazing grant opportunity. The contributions from Grubhub and its diners will provide relief for AAPI restaurant owners who may not have received financial assistance from the federal government or those who are trying to emerge from the long-lasting and devastating impacts of the pandemic.”
Eligible restaurants across the country will be able to apply for a $25,000 grant, and over 70 restaurants will be awarded in September 2022. Three finalists will be awarded $100,000, $75,000, and $50,000 live at the National ACE Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. September 19-21, 2022.
AAPI-owned restaurants were among the hardest hit during the pandemic’s early days. By April 2020, roughly half of the Chinese restaurants in the U.S. had closed because of the pandemic, coupled with consumer prejudice and misperceptions.
“As the country emerges from the pandemic, restaurants still need help getting back on their feet, and that’s why Grubhub is doubling down on its support and partnering with National ACE again to help diverse restaurants,” said Dave Tovar, Senior Vice President of Communications & Government Relations at Grubhub. "Every restaurant has been impacted by the pandemic, but the AAPI community has faced uniquely difficult challenges over the past two years. We hope by highlighting the important role diverse restaurants play in their communities - from the cuisine offered to employment opportunities to serving as community gathering spaces - that we can help these restaurants grow and thrive.”
From June 1 to June 22, 2022, the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund will accept grant applications from all AAPI-owned restaurants throughout the United States.
To qualify for grant assistance, AAPI-owned restaurants must satisfy all of the following requirements:
The restaurant must be Asian American/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian majority-owned (at least 51%);
Must be based in the United States;
Must be currently operational;
Must show proof of their primary licensed activity as “the preparation and serving of food”;
Must operate in a maximum of three locations (cannot be a franchise).
Applications will open at 9am ET on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 via www.AAPISTRONG.com.
The application period will close on June 22, 2022 and grants will be distributed to restaurants throughout Fall 2022. Interested restaurants can learn more about the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund and the full application process at https://www.aapistrong.com/current-grants
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About National ACE
National ACE’s mission is to serve as a strong advocate of AAPI business interests and effect positive change on all issues that enhance and advance the goals and aspirations of AAPI business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders. With over 70 affiliate chambers of commerce and minority business organization partners throughout the country, National ACE strives to support and promote issues that impact the AAPI business community by improving economic development and impact, advancing coalitions and enhancing community building, and fostering the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and executives. National ACE provides a unified voice for the business interests of AAPIs nationally. Learn more at: www.nationalace.org.
About Grubhub
Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY, NASDAQ: GRUB), a leading global online food delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting more than 33 million diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 300,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.