PRLA Restaurant & Lodging Matters Winter 2021

Pennsylvania Hospitality Recovery The following concepts have been outlined by the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association to specifically address PRLA’s priorities to assist the restaurant industry in recovering from the damage inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic. GENERAL HOSPITALITY SOLUTIONS $1 billion in either additional state aid (like CARES dollars) or borrowed funds if Congress does not pass an additional support package in December, 2020. These funds should be designated to the hospitality and tourism industry in the form of grants. Provide liability protection for the hospitality industry. Creation of interest free loans for businesses. Relief of charges for unemployment claims for an additional nine months: January—September 2021. Extension of unemployment use for employees and increase in unemployment compensation. Eliminate late fees/penalties for delayed sales tax payments and allow restaurants to pay off delinquent accounts by 12/31/2021. Eliminate sales tax pre-pay for hospitality businesses. Statewide prohibition of foreclosures and evictions until September 30, 2021. Increase funding for tourism promotion to $20 million to bring guests/travelers and their tax dollars/revenue back to Pennsylvania. PRE-PANDEMIC PA RESTAURANT INDUSTRY ECONOMIC DATA • $27.5 billion estimated sales in Pennsylvania restaurants in 2019 • 582,800 restaurant and food - service jobs in Pennsylvania = 10% of employment in the Commonwealth SINCE MARCH 2020 Restaurant operators have had to lay off or furloughed employees 91% Restaurant sales lost in April due to COVID-19 $1.8 BILLION Restaurant employees laid off or furloughed since the COVID-19 outbreak 332K Restaurant operators say it’s unlikely their res - taurant will be profitable in the next 6 months 86%