Broad group of industry leaders join effort to aid restaurants and bars

Today, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) announced the formation of the Hospitality Recovery Coalition with the goal of supporting on-premise partners, including restaurants, bars and distilleries, facing harsh economic impacts due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The Hospitality Recovery Coalition includes DISCUS, the American Distilled Spirits Alliance (ADSA), the Council of State Restaurant Associations (CSRA), the National Restaurant Association, TIPs and the United States Bartenders Guild (USBG).

“Our friends in the hospitality industry have been some of the hardest hit during COVID-19 and continue to face uncertainty and instability,” said Chris Swonger, president and CEO of DISCUS. “Without assistance at all levels of government, many of these businesses will be forced to close their doors. Unfortunately, many already have. This coalition seeks to provide a unified front willing and able to affect positive policy changes that support restaurants and bars both large and small.”

Some efforts supported by the coalition include extending or making permanent effective and responsible revenue-boosting measures like cocktails to-go on the state level and supporting relief legislation like the RESTAURANTS Act on the federal level.

“With all that is going on, we cannot allow these businesses to be forgotten,” Swonger added. “We offer our combined voices in support of all of the hardworking hospitality workers and business owners across the U.S.”

According to a survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry is expected to lose $240 billion by the end of 2020. The study also found that 8 million employees were laid off or furloughed during the height of the pandemic.

Each member of the coalition is committed to responsibility. Laws governing alcohol consumption must always be observed, and hospitality businesses must remain informed of current rules and regulations. TIPs offers training for individuals on the responsible sale, service and consumption of alcohol.

COALITION PARTNERS

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

DISCUS is the leading voice and advocate for distilled spirits in the U.S., advocating on legislative, regulatory and public affairs issues impacting the distilled spirits sector at the local, state, federal and international levels. DISCUS members are committed to responsibility and encourage adults who drink to do so in moderation.

The American Distilled Spirits Alliance

ADSA is a trade association of 27 member companies with common interests in the manufacturing, importation and marketing of distilled spirits products in the United States.  ADSA members produce approximately two-thirds of all the distilled spirits currently sold in the U.S. Previously known as the Presidents’ Forum of the Distilled Spirits Industry, ADSA traces its history back over 40 years.

The Council of State Restaurant Associations

CSRA’s Mission is to foster goodwill and promote the success of state restaurant associations and their members. The purpose of CSRA is to foster and promote the best interests of the state restaurant associations.

The National Restaurant Association

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 15.6 million employees. We represent the industry in Washington, D.C., and advocate on its behalf. We also sponsor the industry’s largest trade show; leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); and unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF’s ProStart).

TIPs

TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) is a dynamic, skills-based training program designed to prevent intoxication, drunk driving and underage drinking by enhancing the fundamental “people skills” of servers, sellers and consumers of alcohol. TIPS gives individuals the knowledge and confidence they need to recognize potential alcohol-related problems and intervene to prevent alcohol-related tragedies.

The United States Bartenders Guild

USBG’s mission is uniting the hospitality community to advance professional bartending. We believe tending & owning bars is an honorable career choice. Our goal is to empower bartenders to take charge of their careers. We accomplish this through working with our committed partners to enrich the career advancement of our members through peer-to-peer learning, expert instruction, service projects and competition. Since knowledge is power, our chapters hold cocktail competitions, sponsor intimate seminars with internationally recognized brand representatives, and forge relationships between top bar talent in 50 cities and counting. We offer all our members opportunities to compete, travel around the world, and spread knowledge in the pursuit of elevating our craft.