$2.4 Million in Relief Distributed to Support Los Angeles’ Restaurant Community, Made Possible with Support from American Express, Resy, FireAid and Postmates
The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit that invests in and empowers California restaurants and their workforce, proudly announces the recipients of the LA Fire Recovery Grants – a vital relief initiative created to help independent restaurants and food trucks in Los Angeles County recover from this year’s devastating wildfires. More than 250 small businesses have each been awarded $10,000 grants, totaling over $2.4 million in direct financial aid to help them rebuild and recover. This critical funding was made possible by a lead donation of more than $2 million from American Express and Resy, with additional support from FireAid and Postmates.
“Receiving this $10,000 recovery grant is not only a lifeline – it’s a vote of confidence in our comeback” said Dean Yasharian, owner of Perle Restaurant in Pasadena. “The night of Tuesday, Jan. 7, changed both my personal and professional life in ways I couldn’t have imagined – it was the night the Eaton Fire destroyed my family’s Altadena home, along with the homes of neighbors and close friends. In the midst of such devastating personal loss, I had to make the painful decision to temporarily close our restaurant, as many of our loyal guests and staff were displaced and the restaurant itself was no longer safe to operate. [This grant] gives us the momentum we need to begin rebuilding, to support our team and to welcome our community back to a space that’s always been about togetherness and resilience.”
These much-needed funds will cover essential business expenses such as equipment repairs, staffing support and reopening costs as those impacted by the devastating fires work toward long-term recovery. Among the 253 restaurants awarded, 85% are single-unit operations, with an average tenure of 12 years in business, underscoring their deep roots and commitment to the neighborhoods they serve.
“Restaurants are essential to the unique culture of Los Angeles – they reflect the city’s creative spirit. At American Express, we value the contributions that independent restaurants and small businesses bring to local economies, and we are invested in helping them recover stronger as local communities rebuild,” said Jennifer Skyler, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at American Express.
This latest round of support builds on CRF’s ongoing crisis response efforts. In the immediate aftermath of the wildfires, Restaurants Care, CRF’s emergency relief fund, swiftly distributed nearly $1 million in financial aid to 953 impacted hospitality workers, many of whom lost homes, income or both. Among the recipients, 34% have children and 16% have permanently lost their jobs, highlighting the fires’ profound impact on the restaurant industry. Restaurants Care has remained a steadfast resource for LA’s hospitality industry, responding to challenges ranging from COVID-19 to the Hollywood strikes, and now, the wildfires—ensuring that those who fuel our communities receive the support they need. With the generous support of American Express, Resy, Postmates and FireAid, the LA Fire Recovery Grants provide relief at a time that its needed most.
“Independent restaurants are the heart of our communities, and when disaster strikes, the road to recovery can feel overwhelming. Through the LA Fire Recovery Grants, we’re able to provide a financial safety net to help restaurant owners as they navigate the hardships brought on by the fires,” said Alycia Harshfield, President of CRF. “CRF is here for the long haul – we remain committed to supporting California’s restaurant community through every challenge, and we’re incredibly grateful to our generous donors for recognizing the urgent need to uplift restaurants in Los Angeles and making these grants possible.”
To view the full list of LA Fire Recovery Grant recipients or to learn more about CRF’s statewide relief efforts, visit RestaurantsCare.org/resilience-la-fire.
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California is home to more than 90,000 eating and drinking places that ring up more than $72 billion in sales and employ more than 1.6 million workers, making restaurants an indisputable driving force in the state’s economy. The California Restaurant Foundation is a non-profit that empowers and invests in California’s restaurant workforce. Founded in 1981, CRF supports the restaurant community through relief grants for restaurant workers facing hardship, job and life skills training for 14,500 high school students each year, and scholarships. For more information visit CalRestFoundation.org.