National Business News

SBJ Staff Report

Nov. 26, 2014 -  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator, Maria Contreras-Sweet, announced that the federal agency is partnering with the National Restaurant Association to promote dining out during Small Business Saturday on November 29th. The partnership will amplify restaurants during the national push to support our nation's small businesses on the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

"Local restaurants pack a big punch to our nation's economy, as part of the economic powerhouse that is American small businesses. The restaurant industry is projected to add 1.3 million jobs over the next 10 years and to project $683.4 billion in total sales, equaling 4 percent of the U.S. GDP," said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. "The SBA is proud to partner with the National Restaurant Association to champion this great sector of American small businesses."


Dining out on Small Business Saturday will emphasize the accomplishments of small business restaurants across the country while encouraging consumers to patronize eateries in their neighborhoods. Restaurants are a significant factor in the nation's economy as the industry's economic impact is estimated at $1.8 trillion. Additionally, each dollar spent in restaurants generates an extra two dollars in sales for other industries, spurring economic activity in their communities and across the nation.  "The Accommodations and Food Service industry represents the largest percentage of number and total dollars of SBA-related lending activity in Georgia."  States Terri Denison.  "So celebrating Dining Small this year as part of Small Business Saturday is truly meaningful here in Georgia." 


"Restaurants provide valuable jobs and careers for more than 13.5 million people and are strong economic engines in communities nationwide," said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO, National Restaurant Association. "While the industry is the nation's second-largest private sector employer, the overwhelming majority of restaurants, more than 90 percent, have fewer than 50 employees. The National Restaurant Association is pleased to join forces with the Small Business Administration to showcase the industry's critical role in overall small business creation."


Additionally, the SBA and the NRA are encouraging small business owners and community members to share success stories of restaurants in their areas on social media using the hashtag "#DineSmall." This will allow communities big and small to come together and show their support for entrepreneurs across the country.


To encourage not only the public to dine small, but also for restaurants to prepare for the busy day, the Small Business Administration will launch a social media campaign called #ShowUsYourMenu.   Restaurants are asked to create a special menu for Small Business Saturday and promote it on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites to spotlight their business and remind everyone to #DineSmall while they #ShopSmall.

Visit the Small Business Saturday website for a list of participating restaurants.


The SBA is the voice for small business in the U.S.A. and advocates on behalf of 28 million small businesses, jumpstarting and nurturing their ideas. To learn more about support and products available to small businesses through the SBA, visit: www.sba.gov/tools.

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 990,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of more than 13.5 million employees. For more information, visit Restaurant.org and find us on Twitter @WeRRestaurants, Facebook and YouTube