Statement from the Texas Restaurant Association

Today it became clear that Congress is walking away from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), leaving over 12,000 Texas restaurants who have been waiting for help to pick up the pieces for themselves after two years of financial upheaval that still has no end in sight.

As a country, we’ve asked restaurants to close, reduce their capacity for months on end, pivot their business model, and absorb double-digit operating expense increases so we can combat the spread of COVID-19. About 9,000 Texas restaurants have had to close as a result, but the majority have struggled through so far thanks to grit, the overwhelming support of their communities, and in many cases, significantly more debt. Today’s news leaves these restaurants with very difficult decisions.

While we are incredibly frustrated that Congress has not finished the job they set out to accomplish with the RRF months ago, we will continue to pursue every tool available to help Texas’ food and beverage industry rebuild. We will also continue to encourage Texas consumers to lean in and support the businesses they love, including through initiatives like Come and Drink It TX—an initiative we’re running through March to promote dining local. As help from DC evaporates, it will be more important than ever that we rally together as Texans to support the local businesses that make our communities special.