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Backing International Small Restaurants Grant Program

Deadline: 30 June 2025

Restaurant owners are now invited to apply for the fourth annual Backing International Small Restaurants Grant Program.

Aims

  • The “Backing International Small Restaurants” grant program, supported by American Express, is aimed at supporting business for culturally significant and independent restaurants that demonstrate a positive impact on their community, and are owned/operated by or serve individuals experiencing economic hardship.

Goal

  • The goal is to help these restaurants with critical improvements and long-term sustainability so they can focus on nourishing their customers with good food and furthering community connection.

Funding Information

  • In 2025, $1.45M USD will be awarded to 100 independent restaurants with community significance in 15 major cities across the UK, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Spain and France.
  • Grants are available for the following funding amounts in the following countries:
    • UK: London and Manchester – 20 grants of GBP 11,000
    • Mexico: Mexico City – 10 grants of MXN equivalent of USD 10,000
    • Australia: Melbourne and Sydney – 15 grants of AUD 23,000
    • New Zealand: Auckland – 5 grants of NZD 25,000
    • Japan: Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Tokyo – 10 grants of JPY 2,100,000
    • Canada: Montreal and Toronto – 20 grants of CAD 20,000
    • France: Paris – 10 grants of EUR 13,000
    • Spain: Madrid and Barcelona – 10 grants of EUR 13,000

Uses of the Funds

  • Among other things, funding can be used for enhancing digital capabilities, building or refreshing dining spaces, making improvements to kitchen operations, and revitalizing local outreach programs.

Eligibility Criteria

  • To be eligible, restaurants must be located in one of the 15 program cities above and:
    • Be currently open for business, in operation for more than one year and have a brick and mortar location/storefront.
    • Be a small/independently-owned restaurant, café, bar or pub with food offering and not part of a franchise with more than 5 locations.
    • Have a 2024 annual revenue below market-specific thresholds.

Ineligibility Criteria

  • Online-only or app-based businesses are not eligible.

For more information, visit IDA.