The PA Restaurants That Got The Most COVID Relief Funds

PENNSYLVANIA — Few businesses were hit harder by the pandemic than the restaurant industry, which suffered massive losses during the shutdowns than lingered on, in some form, for more than a calendar year.

The federal government responded through the Small Business Administration's Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

All told, just over a third of the Pennsylvania establishments that applied received funding. A total of 3,530 establishments were awarded, out 9,944 applicants, as the program ran out of money.

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Dozens of restaurants received a million or more. The highest earners who received a million each were Whole Enchilada, which runs a group of restaurants out of Pittsburgh, and Guest Counts Hospitality, which owns Cuba Libre in Philadelphia.

Funding was calculated by estimated revenue loss during the pandemic. The minimum award was $1,000, although dozens of Pennsylvania restaurants received at least $1 million or more.

Thousands of eateries were still left behind. Efforts are underway in U.S. Congress to get the program more funding, but nothing is imminent. The Independent Restaurant Coalition, a group formed to advocate for independent bars and restaurants nationwide, rallied on Monday in Washington D.C. to demand more funding.

Here's a look at the 15 restaurant groups that received the highest payouts:

1. Whole Enchilada, Pittsburgh, $10 million
2. Guest Counts Hospitality (Cuba Libre), Philadelphia, $10 million
3. Seven Hills Inc, Mechanicsburg, $8.8 million
4. Harvest Restaurant Holdings, West Chester, $8.6 million
5. 76 West, Philadelphia (Sampan), $5.9 million
6. New York Ice Cream, Philadelphia, $5.6 million
7. 12th Street Cantina, Philadelphia, $5 million
8. Christmas City Hotel, Bethlehem, $5 million
9. Common Pleas Catering, Pittsburgh, $5 million
10. 3BM1 Catering, Philadelphia, $4.8 million
11. Keystone Apple, Mechanicsburg, $4.5 million
12. Jack Duggan's, Philadelphia, $4.2 million
13. Hershey Farm Restaurant, Ronks, $4.1 million
14. Harp and Crown Restaurant, Philadelphia, $3.8 million
15. Giuseppe and Sons, Philadelphia, $3.7 million

A full list of all recipients is available through the Small Business Administration online here.