The decision to make the Independent Restaurant Coalition our inaugural cause campaign was an easy one. We’ve always championed their belief, that small businesses have the power to affect legislative change if we unite our voices.

We’re honored to announce that 1% of all MISE preorder sales will be donated to IRC throughout the duration of 2022. We will continue posting updates and efforts supporting this long-term partnership on our Instagram feed.

But, enough about us. Here’s more information on the organization that is actively helping your favorite independent restaurants and bars survive the impact of COVID-19:

The Independent Restaurant Coalition was founded in March 2020 by a small group of chefs and restaurateurs with the singular mission to save restaurants from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 crisis. The IRC’s federal advocacy efforts led to the passage of the $28.6B Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which opened in May and provided much-needed grants to over 100,000 small businesses. Their efforts continue as they fight to replenish the fund, so that the 177,000 applicants that weren't able to access grants before the money ran out are able to get the help they need. Through the IRC, the independent restaurant and bar community now has a united voice, and in working together, has the power to create positive change for the industry and communities for years to come. To learn more about the IRC’s mission and learn what you can do to take action, follow this link.

America is home to over 500,000 independent restaurants and bars, which supported 16 million jobs before the pandemic – 11 million directly in the restaurants and 5 million more up and down the supply chain. In March of 2021, backbones of the RESTAURANTS Act that the Independent Restaurant Coalition had long advocated for were included in the American Rescue Plan and passed as the $28.6B Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Even with this support, restaurants and bars are still struggling to survive 20 months of debt, rising supplier costs and the omicron variant threatens to push more restaurants and bars into permanent closure.

  • 101,004 restaurants and bars received an RRF grant this year, but nearly 200,000 were left behind in the first round of funding.

  • Over 86% of restaurant and bar owners report they will close without an RRF grant according to an IRC survey.

  • These businesses have a mountain of insurmountable debt that is continuing to build — 51% of restaurants could not pay their September rent.


  • Restaurants and bars lost over $280 billion during the pandemic yet only received $28.6 billion in targeted relief.

  • More than 90,000 restaurants and bars have closed since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Independent Restaurant Coalition is now advocating for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act, which would provide an additional $60 billion in funding to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

On behalf of the entire MISE team, we are honored to be giving back to an organization that champions the rights and success of independent restaurants and bars.

Back to blog