At the LA Regional VBOC, we know firsthand the grit, dedication, and leadership it takes to run a small business. Veterans and military spouses who transition into the culinary world bring a unique passion to their communities, serving up more than just great food—you serve as the heartbeat of our local neighborhoods.
That is why we are thrilled to share an incredible funding opportunity designed to help our local food and beverage entrepreneurs strengthen their operations, support their teams, and build long-term resilience.
The Restaurants Care Resilience Fund is back for its 2026 grant cycle, and applications are open right now!
Since 2021, this amazing initiative has awarded $11 million across more than 2,000 grants to independent restaurants, caterers, and food trucks across California. This year, they are offering $5,000 grants powered by generous donations from The PG&E Corporation Foundation and SoCalGas.
Whether you need to upgrade your POS system, replace an aging piece of kitchen equipment, invest in your crew, or handle an unforeseen hardship, this grant is built for you.
What Can the $5,000 Grant Be Used For?
The Resilience Fund focuses on four key areas to help your business thrive:
- Kitchen Equipment: Repair or upgrade the vital tools of your trade.
- Technology Upgrades: Implement new software, hardware, or systems to streamline your operations.
- Employee Training & Retention: Invest in your team to foster loyalty and elevate your service.
- Unforeseen Hardship: Crucial financial support to navigate unexpected business challenges.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
To qualify for this funding opportunity, your food business must meet the following criteria:
- Utility Requirement: Must be a commercial customer of PG&E or SoCalGas.
- Location & Ownership: Must be a California restaurant or commercial caterer owned by a California resident.
- Business Size: Currently open businesses with 1–5 locations may apply (limit of one application per business), with an annual revenue of up to $3M for that specific location.
- Time in Business: Must have been in business for at least one full year (since June 1, 2025) OR recently expanded to a brick-and-mortar location.
- Recently Expanded? If your brick-and-mortar has been open less than a year, you are still eligible if you previously operated an existing food business (like a food truck, catering business, or pop-up) for at least one full year.
- Past Recipients: If you have received a Resilience Fund grant in the past, you are welcome to apply again, provided it is for a different location or concept.
Ready to Apply? Don’t Wait!
We know small business owners wear a dozen different hats and have a lot on their plates. Fortunately, this application process is streamlined with busy entrepreneurs in mind.
- Timeline: Applications are accepted from June 1 through June 30, 2026.
- Ease of Access: The online application takes only 30 to 60 minutes to complete. It is entirely mobile-friendly, meaning you can complete it right from your phone. Even required document uploads can be clear photos taken straight from your smartphone camera!
Before you start, make sure to visit their website to download the Application Checklist so you have all your documents ready to go.
Get Started Today
Don’t miss out on an opportunity to inject $5,000 of grant funding back into your business.
👉 Click Here to Review Details and Apply Now!
Have questions about the application or requirements? Reach out directly to the Resilience Fund team at resilience@restaurantscare.org.
As always, your LA VBOC team is here to support your entrepreneurial journey. If you need assistance preparing your business financials or general guidance on navigating small business ownership, please reach out to us today. Let’s keep building resilient, veteran-owned businesses together!