Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Announces Disaster Relief Fund Initiative in Response to Hurricane Ian

12/12/2022

TALLAHASSEE – Today, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association announced the launch of the FRLA Disaster Relief Fund, an initiative to provide economic relief for Florida’s independent* restaurants and lodging establishments and their employees who are financially needy or distressed from the impact of Hurricane Ian.

“Florida is known across the globe for our unparalleled hospitality and our world class dining and lodging establishments,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “To see this industry already reeling from the economic situation in a post-COVID recovery period hit by such historic destruction from Hurricane Ian is devastating. Through the FRLA Disaster Relief Fund initiative, we will be able to provide financial support directly to our hospitality industry now and after declared emergency events that may occur in the future. Our industry is hospitality strong, and we are proud to help aid in its recovery.”

“I am proud to work through the FRLA Educational Foundation on this important disaster recovery initiative to support the relief of our hospitality industry,” said Mary Beth Hansen, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees for the FRLA Educational Foundation. “Having the appropriate infrastructure to direct financial assistance back to impacted hotels and restaurants is the best way that we can help our industry members recover and sustain the future of our workforce.”

Administered through the FRLA Educational Foundation through grants valued at up to $10,000 per independently owned restaurant or lodging location, the goal is to provide immediate financial support. *For clarity, an independent restaurant or lodging establishment is defined as a restaurant or lodging establishments owned by a corporation, limited liability partnership, general partnerships, or sole proprietorship. Franchisees of national chains are eligible, but only if the owner owns no more than three (3) franchised locations. Independent restaurant and lodging chains do qualify for this grant. Only one application is required for all multi-unit operators. 

A minimum of 1/3 or 33% of the support provided must be earmarked to support employees in financial need. For owners or employees in financial need, disaster relief funds may be used for the following purposes:

  • Assistance with rent, mortgage payments, or car loan payments;
  • Assistance with school tuition and higher education costs to permit a child to attend school;
  • Reasonable and necessary expenses incurred for the repair or rehabilitation of a personal residence (rented or owned); or
  • Reasonable and necessary expenses incurred for the repair or replacement of the contents of a personal residence due to Hurricane Ian.

For more information on the Fund, including how to donate or apply, visit FRLA.org/relief.

About FRLA: The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s nearly $112 billion hospitality industry which represents 1.5 million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of the membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. The association offers regulatory compliance and food safety training through Safe Staff® and FRLA’s subsidiary, RCS Training. The FRLA Educational Foundation provides industry-developed, career-building high school programs throughout the state.