American Express has awarded 13 small restaurants with a AU$21,500 grant each for having won the American Express Backing International Small Restaurants grant program.
Eight small restaurant businesses in Melbourne and five small restaurant businesses in Sydney received the grants, namely:
Melbourne
- Bojak Brewing
- Wilbury & Sons
- PBK Noodles
- Lazeeza Restaurant
- Baba Hawker
- The Backyard
- 1001 Nights
- Baby Elephant café
Sydney
- Rising Sun Workshop
- Rebels N Misfits
- Little Lagos Bistro & Bar
- Don Adan Coffee
- I Should be Souvlaki
The 2024 American Express Backing International Small Restaurants grant program was run in partnership with the International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation and supported by Mainstreet Australia. This year, it was expanded to cover both Sydney and Melbourne as part of its mission to help small restaurant businesses improve their business or gain additional cashflow for their expenses.
Robert Tedesco, Vice President of Global Merchant Network Services for American Express Australia and New Zealand, said, “We received an incredible response with a record number of applications across both cities. Since its inception, the program has delivered almost $520,000 directly to small Australian dining venues, helping them to continue delivering meaningful contributions to their customers and community.”
David Downey, Executive Director, IDA Foundation, added, “This year, we’ve expanded our reach to nine cities globally through the continued generosity of American Express. We are proud to empower these extraordinary restaurants to thrive and strengthen the fabric of their neighbourhoods.”
Suresh Manickam, CEO of Restaurant & Catering Australia, said, “Small restaurant owners have been working harder than ever and these grants will help alleviate some of financial pressure they’re facing. The American Express Backing International Small Restaurants program is a very worthy program and has contributed more than half a million dollars to Australian venues since it began here three years ago, which reflects a company that is truly backing business and community.”
