Working with the Cook County Small Business Assistance Program, a Community Navigator providing support to small businesses, the Illinois Restaurant Association is here to help.
Below are resources available.
MEET THE EXPERTS
Each year, this event offers restaurant and hospitality operators the opportunity to connect one-on-one with some of the biggest restaurateurs in the business, plus experts in HR, public relations, law, accounting, licensing, insurance, and more. While enjoying a fun, casual evening with great food and drinks, operators can sign up to sit with selected experts to ask questions, get advice, and exchange business info to keep the conversation going in the future. It's speed-coaching and power networking at its finest.
Operators who register for this event have the opportunity to reserve slots to meet with any of the experts participating in this event. Each expert will have four (4) 15-minute time slots available to meet one-on-one with operator attendees. Operator attendees are encouraged to learn about all of our experts and request an appointment with one or more when they register.
Registration is complimentary.
Click here to register today.
The Illinois Restaurant Association is proud to partner with the Cook County Small Business Assistance Program on this event.
One-on-One Assistance
Assistance sessions are available to small businesses in Cook County with questions about Access to Finance (e.g., acquiring new capital), Accounting, Business Management (e.g., operating under new safety regulations, change & risk management), Business
Plans (e.g., adjusting business models), Cash Flow Management, Customer Relations (e.g., obtaining referrals to increase sales), and Marketing Strategies. Use the button below to sign-up for one-on-one assistance.
Federal, State & Local Resources
IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund
Webinars for Restaurants (Recordings)
- Here to Help: Mental Health Support for Restaurants (April 28, 2022)
- Be Seen Online: Marketing and PR Pro Tips for Restaurants (March 31, 2022)
- Expert Tax and Legal Tips for Right Now (March 17, 2022)
- Reaching New Customers and Emerging Delivery Options (February 24, 2022)
- Vaccine Requirement: Learn De-Escalation Strategies for Restaurant Team Members (January 27,2022)
- Maximizing Sales & Savings for Restaurants Over the Holidays (November 23, 2021)
- Vaccine Mandates: The Upcoming Federal Rule for Businesses, plus Guest Policy Considerations (October 28, 2021)
- Applying for the Illinois Back 2 Business Grant - Update for Restaurants (September 16, 2021)
- Applying for the Illinois Back to Business Grant Program - What Restaurants Need to Know (August 19, 2021)
- Save Money When Hiring: How to Utilize the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) (July 20, 2021)
- Boost Your Business: Marketing Tips from Google and Your Tourism & Beverage Brand Partners (June 24, 2021)
- Restaurants Restored: Operating Safely and Vaccine Policies for Your Guests and Staff (June 10, 2021)
- Staffing Help: Ideas for Finding and Hiring New Team Members (May 20, 2021)
- Applying for Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grants - What Operators Need to Know (April 26, 2021)
- Fresh Plans for Welcoming Guests - Indoor/Outdoor Spaces, Permits, and More (April 22, 2021)
- Marketing and Messaging Must-Have Strategies For Spring (April 8, 2021)
- Ramping Up: Ordering, Staffing, And Investing For Spring And Beyond (March 25, 2021)
- Managing Your Taxes, Finance, and Cash Flow (March 11, 2021)
- Vaccination Rollout - Info For Illinois Restaurants (Feb 25, 2021)
- Serving Outdoors - How Restaurants Are Using Their Space In Winter (Feb 11, 2021)
- Mental Health and Wellness Support for Restaurant Workers (Jan 28, 2021)
- Utilizing New Options for Generating Revenue (Jan 14, 2021)
- Support and Assistance for Restaurant & Bar Workers (Dec 17, 2020)
- Navigating Real Estate Concerns and Solutions (Dec 3, 2020)
- Exploring New Revenue Streams For Restaurants (Nov 19, 2020)
- Finding Cost Saving Solutions For Restaurants (Oct 22, 2020)
- Maximizing Your Space - Serving Guests in the Fall & Winter (Oct 15, 2020)
- Restaurant Staffs: Safety, Testing, and Protection (Sept 24, 2020)
- 30 Restaurant Marketing Ideas in 30 Minutes (Aug 27, 2020)
- Maximize Your Guest Space: Architects & Planners Offer Reopening Guidance (Aug 6, 2020)
- Reopening "How-Tos" - Practical Solutions for Payments, Menus, and More (July 23, 2020)
- Menu Profitability - Costing Tools & Tips to Maximize Your Menu (July 9, 2020)
- Prepare to Reopen: Staffing and Returning to Work Issues (June 16, 2020)
- Safe To Reopen: Proper Disinfecting and Instilling Consumer Confidence (June 11, 2020)
Reopening Guidance and Supplies
Find the reopening guidance and supplies you need through IRA's resource base of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and reopening services for restaurants including hand sanitizer, face coverings, gloves, cleaning and sanitizing supplies, plexiglass,
menus, floor markers, signs, and more.
