Lovelock Inn in Magalia is one of nine Butte County restaurants and food businesses awarded a $5,000 grant through the California Restaurant Foundation’s Restaurants Care Resilience Fund. Photo courtesy of Lovelock Inn

CHICO, CA (MPG) - Nine Butte County restaurants and food businesses will each receive $5,000 grants aimed at helping independent operators purchase equipment, improve technology and invest in their workforce.

The California Restaurant Foundation awarded the grants through its Restaurants Care Resilience Fund with funding from The PG&E Corporation Foundation.

Recipients include Bidwell Perk, Chico Chai, Gogi’s Café, Lili’s Brazilian Bistro and Mekkala Thai Cuisine in Chico; Lovelock Inn in Magalia; Hunter Drake in Oroville; and Lofi Cafe and Nic’s Restaurant in Paradise.

The nine grants represent $45,000 in funding for Butte County businesses.

“Local restaurants are vital to our communities,” said Carla Peterman, executive vice president of corporate affairs for PG&E Corporation and chair of the board of The PG&E Corporation Foundation. “They serve as economic engines, gathering hubs and cultural anchors.”

Peterman said restaurants also support farms, food producers and other small businesses in their communities.

“They have a tremendous economic multiplier effect that brings many benefits to our hometowns,” Peterman said. “We’re thrilled to continue to support these cornerstones of the communities we serve.”

The grants can pay for new equipment and technology, employee training and retention efforts as well as costs associated with unexpected business challenges.

The program awarded grants to 239 restaurants and commercial caterers across 30 Northern and Central California counties this year. The partnership distributed $1.4 million through the program.

More than 70% of this year’s recipients said they plan to use their grants to upgrade kitchen equipment. Other recipients plan to invest in technology or workforce development.

“We are incredibly grateful to The PG&E Corporation Foundation for their continued generosity and commitment to California’s independent restaurant community,” California Restaurant Foundation President Alycia Harshfield said.

Harshfield said the funding gives restaurant owners resources to invest in their businesses, employees and operations.

“Their contributions to the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund make a meaningful difference, providing restaurant owners with the financial support they need to make critical investments in their business, strengthen their teams and navigate unexpected challenges,” Harshfield said.

Businesses eligible for the grants must operate as independently owned California restaurants with fewer than five locations and less than $3 million in annual revenue.

Since the program began in 2021, PG&E and The PG&E Corporation Foundation have provided $5.7 million in funding through the program, supporting more than 1,100 restaurants and catering businesses.

PG&E said the grant funding comes from shareholders, not utility customers.