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Battered U.S. Restaurants and Bars Miss Out on Stimulus Bailout

  • Package doesn’t directly fund industry, while helping others
  • Operators can tap $284 billion in loans for potential lifeline
Restaurants and bars, along with other small businesses, can apply for aid from the Paycheck Protection Program.

Restaurants and bars, along with other small businesses, can apply for aid from the Paycheck Protection Program.

Photographer: Emily Elconin/Bloomberg
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The $900 billion U.S. stimulus package doesn’t allocate direct funding for restaurants and bars, another blow to two of the hardest-hit parts of the U.S. economy.

The wide-ranging spending bill does allow small businesses to take out loans. It also directly funds several beleaguered industries, but doesn’t include restaurants and bars. With more states restricting indoor activities, these establishments are already facing a bleak future.