If the restaurant industry had an official sportsbook, the most popular wager would be the over-under on restaurant closures.

Talk to any investment banker in the restaurant business these days and they’ll tell you about the frequent calls they’re receiving from investors looking for distressed investment opportunities.

Expect the rising fear of a second wave, social distancing protocols and continuing economic panic to undermine consumer confidence at least until 2021, and likely longer. A presidential election this fall doesn’t help matters.

Shake Shack, Ruth’s Chris and Potbelly set off a media firestorm last week when the three public restaurant companies announced they had received Paycheck Protection Loans (PPP) under the CAREs Act stimulus program for small businesses.

Chick-fil-A reported record sales and earnings in 2019. The Atlanta-based quick serve operator, ranked last year by Franchise Times Magazine as the 12th largest franchise company in the U.S., was poised to for another strong year in 2020. However, dining room closures and restrictions to operate drive-thru lanes only because of the coronavirus, will set back the chain in 2020.

Concerns from participating banks about the amount of interest they can charge for Payroll Protection Loans, and continued questions about eligibility and use of proceeds, forced the Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue revised loan guidelines late Thursday night.

Options for beleaguered restaurants owners are quickly mobilizing and here is what you need to know. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, recently passed by Congress and signed by President Trump on March 27, allows the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guaranty $349 billion in loans to small businesses that have been impacted economically by the virus.

Obviously, these are tough times for the restaurant industry. It behooves restaurant owners to effectively use their advisors, particularly their accountants and your lawyers. Your goal is twofold: Communicate most effectively with all the constituencies you have to deal with and be in the best position possible coming out of this crisis.

If you’ve had to close your restaurant, you will need to make plans for your inventory and your employees. If you’ve done that, then you are probably hunkered down at home and thinking - now what?

Along with you, we are closely watching the impact COVID-19 is having on our communities and businesses. We understand the tremendous impact that the restaurant and franchise industries have on the economy.

The challenges for restaurants from the Covid-19 virus are formidable. Here are some ideas to ensure the viability of your business at least until the all-clear signal is given.

Peak Franchise Capital Co-Founder and Managing Partner Mike Elliott admits he came out of college with an accounting degree, only to realize he didn’t really want to be an accountant.

In an interview with the Restaurant Finance Monitor, Trinity Capital Managing Director revealed how Citizens Bank’s acquisition of his firm materialized.

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. announced a definitive agreement to purchase the assets of Trinity Capital.

The mergers & acquisition market for restaurant franchisees and multi-unit restaurant brands has changed dramatically over the past three decades, and Brookwood Associates’ Amy Forrestal has had a front row seat to that evolution.

2019 might be considered an off year for public restaurant chains as only seven companies outperformed the outsized 28.9% return of the S&P 500 benchmark. However, the industry’s stock market benchmark, the Restaurant Finance Monitor Stock index, weighted 70% in quick-serve restaurants and 30% in casual dining ones, returned 16.74%, an otherwise impressive performance.