Small Business Grants for Restaurants & Food Service (2026)
The restaurant industry is the backbone of local economies across America, employing over 15 million workers and generating more than $1 trillion in annual sales. Yet access to capital remains one of the biggest challenges for restaurant owners, especially independent operators competing against well-funded chains.
Government and private grants offer a lifeline for restaurant businesses looking to open, expand, or recover from economic disruption. Unlike loans, grants provide capital you never have to repay, making them ideal for covering renovation costs, equipment upgrades, marketing campaigns, or hiring initiatives.
Federal programs like the USDA Rural Business Development Grants support food businesses in rural communities, while state-level economic development agencies often run targeted programs for hospitality and food service companies. Private organizations such as the Southern Smoke Foundation provide emergency relief specifically for food and beverage workers facing unexpected hardships.
The key to winning restaurant grants is demonstrating community impact. Most grant programs prioritize businesses that create local jobs, source ingredients from regional suppliers, and contribute to neighborhood revitalization. Whether you operate a fine dining establishment, a food truck, or a quick-service restaurant, there are funding opportunities designed for your specific situation.
Below you will find every active grant that restaurant and food service businesses can apply for right now, including both industry-specific programs and general small business grants open to all industries.
Active Restaurants & Food Service Grants76 Available
Award Amount
$1,000 - $5,000
Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Fund
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
NAACP x BACARDI Backing the B.A.R.
Award Amount
$4,000 - $4,000
NASE Growth Grant
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
Amber Grant for Women
Award Amount
$1,000 - $10,000
Skip Monthly Business Grants
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
IFundWomen Universal Grant Application
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
Venmo Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
California Dream Fund
Award Amount
$10,000 - $1,000,000
Texas Enterprise Fund
Award Amount
$10,000 - $25,000
Global NY Grant Fund
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
NYS Business Seed Funding
Award Amount
$5,000 - $5,000
Florida Export Marketing Plan
Award Amount
$5,000 - $150,000
Illinois Back to Business (B2B)
Award Amount
$100,000 - $500,000
Advantage Illinois (SSBCI)
Award Amount
$2,000 - $10,000
Global Access Program (GAP)
Award Amount
$600,000 - $5,000,000
EDA Public Works Program
Award Amount
$150,000 - $2,500,000
EDA Economic Adjustment Assistance
Award Amount
$75,000 - $150,000
SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
Award Amount
$50,000 - $4,500,000
SBA HUBZone Program
Award Amount
$50,000 - $4,500,000
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
Award Amount
$50,000 - $4,500,000
SBA Women-Owned Small Business Contracting
Award Amount
$20,000 - $5,000,000
California Competes Tax Credit
Award Amount
$50,000 - $1,000,000
California IBank Small Business Loan Guarantee
Award Amount
$2,000 - $500,000
Texas Skills Development Fund
Award Amount
$3,000 - $6,000
Florida Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund
Award Amount
$25,000 - $2,000,000
Illinois EDGE Tax Credit Program
Award Amount
$10,000 - $245,000
Illinois Small Business Capital & Infrastructure Grant
Award Amount
$10,000 - $1,000,000
InvestOhio Tax Credit
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
JobsOhio Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$35,000 - $250,000
OneGeorgia Authority Grants
Award Amount
$50,000 - $1,000,000
Georgia REBA (Regional Economic Business Assistance)
Award Amount
$100,000 - $5,000,000
North Carolina Job Development Investment Grant
Award Amount
$50,000 - $1,000,000
One North Carolina Fund
Award Amount
$50,000 - $500,000
Golden LEAF Foundation Open Grants
Award Amount
$50,000 - $2,000,000
Michigan Business Development Program
Award Amount
$5,000 - $200,000
Michigan Going PRO Talent Fund
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
Michigan Match on Main
Award Amount
$2,000 - $10,000
Washington State Export Voucher Program
Award Amount
$25,000 - $250,000
Washington Small Business Flex Fund
Award Amount
$5,000 - $50,000
Massachusetts Biz-M-Power Crowdfunding Match
Award Amount
$50,000 - $2,000,000
Virginia Commonwealth Opportunity Fund
Award Amount
$50,000 - $1,000,000
Minnesota Job Creation Fund
Award Amount
$50,000 - $500,000
Oregon Business Development Fund
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
Maryland Small Business Grant Program
Award Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
Hello Alice Small Business Growth Fund
Award Amount
$20,000 - $20,000
Allstate Main Street Grants (Hello Alice)
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
Fund Her Future Grant (H&R Block)
Award Amount
$1,000 - $15,000
Kiva 0% Interest Microloans
Award Amount
$15,000 - $25,000
Amazon Business Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$20,000 - $20,000
Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Hero
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
Ladies Who Launch Program
Award Amount
$500 - $2,500
Freed Fellowship Grant
Award Amount
$30,000 - $100,000
Cartier Women's Initiative (2027 Cycle)
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
EmpowHer Grant
Award Amount
$7,500 - $7,500
Halstead Grant for Jewelry Designers
Award Amount
$15,000 - $15,000
Girlboss Foundation Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $5,000
Red Backpack Fund (Spanx Foundation)
Award Amount
$5,000 - $5,000
Tory Burch Foundation Fellows
Award Amount
$10,000 - $10,000
NAWBO / Mastercard Small Business Grants
Award Amount
$2,000 - $5,000
Second Service Foundation Veteran Awards
Award Amount
$10,000 - $25,000
Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $50,000
PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Program
Award Amount
$25,000 - $25,000
NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant
Award Amount
$25,000 - $25,000
NAACP x L'Oreal Beauty Industry Grants
Award Amount
$10,000 - $20,000
Fearless Strivers Grant (Fearless Fund + Mastercard)
Award Amount
$1,500 - $5,000
First Nations Acorn Fund
Award Amount
$10,000 - $50,000
NBMBAA Scale-Up Pitch Challenge
Award Amount
$5,000 - $10,000
NDI Small Business Hub (Disability Entrepreneurs)
Award Amount
$25,000 - $25,000
NAACP Power Forward Small Business Grant
Award Amount
$5,000 - $15,000
USHCC / Wells Fargo Hispanic Business Grants
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there specific grants just for restaurants?▼
Yes. Programs like the Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Fund are exclusively for food and beverage industry workers. The USDA also offers grants for food-related businesses in rural areas. Additionally, many general small business grants from organizations like Hello Alice, Verizon, and Skip are open to restaurant owners.
Can food trucks apply for small business grants?▼
Absolutely. Food trucks are classified as small businesses and qualify for the same grants as brick-and-mortar restaurants. Many programs, including SBA-backed opportunities and corporate grants from FedEx and Amazon, do not distinguish between restaurant formats.
What is the best grant for a new restaurant with no revenue?▼
For pre-revenue restaurants, look at the Kiva 0% interest microloan program (no credit score requirement), the Skip monthly grants (no revenue minimums), and the Freed Fellowship monthly grants. State-level programs like the California Dream Fund also support new entrepreneurs.
How much grant funding can a restaurant realistically receive?▼
Individual grants range from $1,000 to $500,000+. Most restaurant owners apply to multiple programs simultaneously. A realistic strategy is to target 3-5 grants in the $5,000-$25,000 range while pursuing one or two larger opportunities like USDA or state economic development grants.