Resources
November 15, 2023
The Boston Globe wants to hear from our members on their struggles with lease negotiations.
Rent terms on ground-floor store fronts in downtown Boston are forcing restaurants to shutter their doors. All across the Commonwealth, restaurants are struggling with lease negotiations. Chain restaurants are also feeling the pinch and this begs the question of whether independent restaurants can survive these negotiations. Has your restaurant been affected by lease negotiations in your neighborhood? Please tell your story by following the link in our bio to answer a few questions.
April 24, 2023
OUR FIRST QUARTER DEEP DIVE
On April 24th, we hosted our first quarter Deep Dive webinar concerning the third round of grant funds and application process around the MGCC’s Inclusive Recovery Grant Program. MRU President Nancy Caswell and co-host member/trade aligned sponsor Chris Macksey of Prix Fixe Accountants dove deep into conversation with our esteemed guest, MGCC Chief Communications Officer Kate Janowski.
The MGCC Inclusive Recovery Grant Program targets businesses that focus on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups, undeserved markets, and those owned my minorities, women, veterans, immigrants, first generation immigrants, disabled individuals or those that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
MGCC will administer grants up to $75,000 for eligible small businesses, in a geographically equitable manner. The program is currently open for applications and the deadline closes on April 28th, 2023.
Please take a moment to watch the video for more information and follow the application portal link which will be live until 11:59 pm EST on April 28th.
April 12, 2023
Greg Hill Foundation Restaurant Strong Grant
The Greg Hill Foundation and the Grubhub Community Fund will be accepting applications for the 2023 Restaurant Strong Fund Grant starting April 19th through May 10th. The Restaurant Strong Grant, made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund will be accepting applications to help support growth in areas such as:
Updating Technology
Updating Equipment
Marketing and PR Services
Staff Training Programs
Staff Incentivized Wages
Maintaining/Updating of Current Infrastructure
To support small business restaurants, The Restaurant Strong Fund will provide grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on need and growth opportunity showcased in the application.
Follow the link below to learn more about the upcoming grant opportunity and save the date for April 19th, 2023 with the application portal will open.
April 6, 2023
MGCC Inclusive Recovery Grant Program
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $75,000,000 available to support small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program targets businesses that focus on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups, underserved markets, and those owned by minorities, women, veterans, immigrants, first generation immigrants, disabled individuals, or those that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
MGCC will administer grants up to $75,000 for eligible small businesses, in a geographically equitable manner. With the exception of grants received from Biz-M Power or Empower Digital, any business/business owner who received a grant in 2022 or 2023 from MGCC will be considered ineligible for this initiative.
The portal for applicants is currently open and the deadline closes April 28th, 2023 at 11:59 pm. Follow the link below for more information on the Inclusive Recovery Grant Program by MGCC.
January 23, 2023
Food Manager Certification Resources
In recent reporting from the New York Times, dollars collected from mandated employee certification classes have been utilized to lobby against equitable pay. Keeping your employees trained and certified is important for many reasons, not only is it a health and safety requirement but it is imperative for restaurant success and ensures that you are keeping your guests safe and top of mind... but employees have many choices when it comes to WHO provides training and certification. We created a list of nationally recognized resources available in MA for certification. Check out the article form NYT here and follow the links below to find out what resources are available within the Commonwealth…
Sign up for weekly tips, news and opportunities from the MRU
Restaurant owners and industry professionals: join thousands of your colleagues across The Commonwealth and become an MRU member.
MRU Interviews the
Massachusetts Gubernatorial Candidates
Maura Healey
Geoff Diehl
Chris Doughty
Mass Restaurants United spent time with three candidates discussing what matters most to restaurant owners, employees, and supporters. We designed our questions, drawn from our members and our own Board, to both inform the candidates of the most pressing issues for restaurants and to tease out responses that can help restaurant owners, operators, and employees vote in an informed way during the next election.
MARCH 31, 2022
Crowdfunding & MGCC Matching Grants
This “HOW TO” Sobremesa explains how easy it is to elevate your small business using crowdfunding and MGCC matching grants to finance your capital expense needs. Learn how you can receive up to $20,000 in matching grants.
Matching grants available between $2,500 - $20,000
Approved use of funds for acquisition, expansion, improvement or lease of a facility, purchase or lease of equipment, or with meeting other capital needs for the business.
OCTOBER 19, 2021
Mental Health in Our Industry
On October 19, MRU hosted a Sobremesa focused on the state of mental health in our industry. Seth Gerber, General Manager and Partner at MIDA, led a discussion focused on…
Broadening our understanding of wellness to include social, financial, AND physical / mental health.
Scope of the current crisis in the restaurant industry.
How a lack of prosperity in our industry should be viewed as a national American emergency.
The benefits of investing in our employees.
Ideation on how restaurants, as a decentralized industry, can successfully overcome our economic hurdles to provide more robust benefits.
JULY 29, 2021
MRU’S LIVE STATE MEETING
Perception vs. Reality of Our Industry
On Thursday, July 29, we came together to offer our first state meeting to focus on The Perception vs. The Reality of Our Industry. Topics included: the state of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF); how you can take action to encourage lawmakers to provide additional RRF funding; operators from across the Commonwealth shared stories about the reality of the situation we find ourselves in. The 10 person panel of speakers included Andrew Zimmern (chef, writer, tv host, and Independent Restaurant Coalition founding member) and Jody Adams (chef/owner Trade, Porto, Saloniki, and MRU founding member + Co-chair). Event recording below…
JULY 19, 2021
IRC’s Rally for RRF
The Independent Restaurant Coalition kicked off a week of action to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund with an online rally. Guests Andrew Zimmern, Ashley Christensen, Bessie King (MRU board member), Gregory Gourdet, Nya Marshall, Paul C. Reilly, and Tyler Akin shared an update on the current status of the bill, outlined what we need to do to ensure it moves forward in Congress, and provided the tools you need to help make it happen.
Watch a recording of the rally and click here to learn how you can take action to get the RRF replenished.
APRIL 26, 2021
Vaccines and Covid Exposure
SPEAKER: Matthew D. Freeman
Matthew is a principal in the Boston, Massachusetts office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He routinely advises clients regarding compliance with state and federal labor and employment laws, including those related to employee discipline and discharge, disability management and leave of absence issues, wage and hour issues, and reductions in force. Matt represents a variety of businesses with a concentration in the hospitality and healthcare industries.
Vaccines for Food Service
Starting Monday, March 22, food service workers are eligible for vaccines!
We strongly support vaccines to help stop the spread of Covid 19. Learn more about who is eligible and how to prepare…
Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) Grant Program
As more information becomes available about the $28.6 billion restaurant and bar grant program, we will be collecting related resources below. Last Updated: 04/30/21
All eligible applicants should plan to apply on Monday May 3rd RRF program portal opens at NOON. While priority groups will have 21 days of access, applications for everyone should be submitted as early as possible. An applicant that is not in a priority group will not be ruled ineligible if they apply during the prioritization period. The Small Business Administration (SBA) will coordinate the time of submission to determine the order of grant distribution.
Here are the steps to follow:
Register at the SBA application portal, restaurants.sba.gov if you do not plan to apply through a SBA recognized POS vendor. Registration opens at 9:00 am EST on Friday, April 30. By doing this, it will allow you to become a registered user, giving you log-in credentials including username and password. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the website and also bookmark the page so that it’s easier to access at a later time.
Be sure to sign up for the SBA and also the RRF email updates.
Prepare all necessary business documents. It is important that these documents are in PDF, JPG, GIF, TIFF, or PNG file formats.
Recheck that all your documents are complete and in correct format prior to submitting. Any applications with incomplete documentation will be rejected and any delays could jeopardize receiving a grant.
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UPDATE 4/5/21: The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that they are eliminating the System for Award Management (SAM) registration process for independent restaurants and bars applying for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). What does this mean for the independent restaurant and bar community? Operators who seek to participate in the RRF do not need to acquire a DUNS number or register for a SAM.gov account. If you’ve already started or finished the process, your progress will not have an impact on funds awarded once the program is live. Please note that this change is a good one: removing the requirement eliminates a major barrier, helping create a level field that gives the smallest businesses a better shot at getting relief.
MARCH 22, 2021
Last Call on the PPP
Chris Macksey, Operations Manager and Small Business Advisor at Prix Fixe Accounting, and Steve Pica, Entrepreneur and Mass Restaurants United Board Member, talk all things PPP, from qualifications and how to apply to forgiveness and tax implications.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Communication between your banker & accountant is key. ASK QUESTIONS.
PPP round 2 applications EXTENDED to MAY 31, 2021
STAY TUNED - these programs are evolving & it is key to stay up to date - check the dates on any articles or information you find.
DO NOT RUSH to file anything until you speak to your accountant
Your individual situation is unique and should be researched so you understand the complete picture to measure your best steps onward and not miss relief & support.
Make sure you UNDERSTAND the different avenues of support right now, the differences and the timelines and CURRENT deadlines before you do anything.
Deadlines and updates on details are changing, sometimes daily. Check back with your advisors
DOWNLOAD Key Takeaways
CONTACT CHRIS
Chris Macksey, Operations Manager
Prix Fixe Accounting
t: 413.458.8297 x702
w: prixfixe.accountants
MARCH 4, 2021
Restaurant Relief Roundtable
Hope is priceless, after this year of so much collective trauma and loss, we are grateful to our panel - Patrick Robertson & Erika Polmar fo the IRC, Jody Adams, founding board member of MRU & Sue Bette of Bluebird BBQ in Burlington, VT, founding board member of Vermont Independent Restaurants.
The one hour discussion reviewed important details on restaurant relief and the American Rescue Plan. The IRC has provided this overview that contains details on the act, navigation and intel for restaurants .
It has been a year of unimagined loss and challenge for our industry. The vulnerability of this time has fostered connection, collaboration and creativity to forge a more sustainable future for our community. This past weekend the Senate voted to approve the Cares Act which includes 28.6 Billion in grant program for restaurants. This news coming right after the town hall with the IRC gives us renewed hope for next steps onward. details will continue to emerge and we will keep sharing the latest info with our membership.
MRU will continue to create Sobremesa Town Hall gatherings to support the industry. Our next Town hall will be March 22nd at 2pm on Zoom. The Sobremesa will cover PPP phase 2 on if you would like to participate by providing specific questions for the CPA please do so by March17th.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021
All Things Take Out
MRU Table Talks - Sobremesa is a platform for the restaurant community to share resources and make connections. "Sobremesa" is the Spanish tradition of relaxing at the table with conversation and dessert after a meal. Guests will talk about their experiences, successes or failures, and lessons they’ve learned while operating their restaurants, with plenty of time for discussion and Q&A.
In February focused on All Things Take Out in a two session Sobremesa. Recordings and key takeaways from both sessions are below…
Session One - Take Out Food
Tam Le - Pho Linh
Brian Houlihan - Trident Group
Jonathan Mendez - Saloniki
Session Two - Take Out Beverage & Retail
Tommy Schlesinger - Alcove
Emma Hollander - Trina’s / Parlor Sports
TJ Douglas - Urban Grape
DOWNLOAD: KEY TAKEAWAYS
MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021
411 on Hibernation
Introducing MRU’s Table Talks - Sobremesa events series, a platform for the restaurant community to share resources and make connections. In this first installment, Angela Raynor (The Boarding House, The Pearl), Jamie Bissonnette (Coppa, Toro, Little Donkey) and Nancy Batista-Caswell (Caswell Restaurants) talk all things “hibernation,” from switching off services and keeping in touch with employees to creating revenue during a closure and working on new systems of operation.
DOWNLOAD: Hibernation Dismount Checklist
MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021
MRU Info Session on Applying for Restaurant Relief Grants
Special zoom information session for independent restaurants on how to apply for a Massachusetts business relief grant with Larry Andrews, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, the organization in charge of administering $668 million in grant funds to help distressed businesses across our state. Applications are DUE by January 15.
Help us help you. Download the media kit for social media templates.
Follow the MRU and help us spread the message that restaurants need more help!
If you’re wondering why restaurants use social media, especially now, here is a useful article.
Letter to the Governor, addressing the latest curfew hours implemented in November.
Letter to the Legislature, addressing the need for economic relief and additional support.
MRU fliers, ready to print and use in take-our bags or to post indoor windows. Two per page.
TUES., JUNE 14, 2020
Sterile Zone: How Medical Practices Can Inform Restaurant Service
How can the medical profession assist restaurants’ work and vice versa? Join the MRU for a presentation with Dr Patel from hospital medicine, Dr. Currier from pulmonology, and Dr. Wroe in contract tracing. We'll hear about practices in hospitals that can be applied to service, talk about spread, and hear about best practices for when a guest or staff member is positive.
TUES., JUNE 30, 2020
Live Chat:
Massachusetts Restaurant Owners of Color
Watch our Facebook Live chat where you will have a chance to hear from restaurant owners of color firsthand. Our member speakers will share their struggles, from opening to managing covid, in the hopes of educating our general public and sharing their specific needs for survival.
TUES., JUNE 23, 2020
Town Hall: How to Talk to Your Landlord
This 75 minute Town Hall features a presentation by Jesse Baerkahn of Graffito SP, a real estate development and urban design firm focused on complex ground-floor leasing and activation projects. They act as a translator between local business storefronts and large real estate developers brokering deals that work for both sides.