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We hope Summer 2026 is treating you and your business well! The perfect storm of a Knicks win, World Cup fever, and the America250 celebration has brought visitors and fans to our city – all hungry, thirsty, and searching for the great food & drink you provide.
Please take a moment to review the latest industry updates below. There are some important deadlines to be aware of as you continue in your daily grind.
Remember to stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay positive – it's what gets us all through the dog days of a NYC summer!
Wishing you all a smooth and profitable July.
Steven Picker & Rosanne Martino
NYC Food and Beverage Industry Partnership at SBS
| | | Get Game Ready for FIFA World Cup 2026™ | | Truck Delivery Restrictions in Midtown | |
The city is requesting that local businesses shift their delivery windows on match days, to help reduce congestion in Midtown. NYC is engaging with the trucking industry, as well as local businesses and residents to share this information.
Following best practices from similar large events in other cities, truck deliveries in Midtown will be restricted from six hours before each NYNJ Stadium match begins until three hours after each match concludes.
The truck restrictions will be in place only on match days between 30th and 60th Streets, from the East River to the Hudson River.
Restricted Delivery Hours
- Sunday, July 19, from 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
| | New York City World Cup 2026 Business Toolkit | Download NYC Tourism + Conventions' World Cup tool kit for all the information you need about free promotional opportunities, ways to submit your events to the citywide calendar, how to participate in the social campaign, and more. | | More Flexibility for NYC Storefronts 🔓 | |
The New York City Council passed Intro 910-A, repealing the visibility requirement for storefront security grilles required under Local Law 75 of 2009.
Under Local Law 75 passed by the previous Council in 2009, affected security grilles WERE scheduled to meet a requirement of at least 70% visibility by July 1, 2026 (that would have been today), in order for aesthetic and security updates.
With the passage of this bill however, these visibility requirements under LL75 no longer apply, and existing grilles can remain as is.
We appreciate the Council’s collaboration on this bill that supports NYC’s small business community, and provides entrepreneurs with flexibility when deciding which security grille works best for their business.
Please note that this new legislation passed by the City Council does not change the permit requirements for installing a new storefront security grille. The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) strongly recommends consulting with a registered design professional to determine permit requirements for any specific projects.
| | Commercial Waste Zone Roll Out: Staten Island & Midtown South | |
Businesses in Staten Island and Midtown South must enter into a contract with a zone-authorized private carter between July 1 and August 31, 2026, or they will be assigned a carter at the maximum allowable rate.
Neighborhoods in the Midtown South Zone are: Midtown South, Flatiron, Union Square, Koreatown, and the Garment District.
What you need to do:
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Confirm your zone by address and compare maximum carter rates.
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Obtain multiple quotes and negotiate your rate. Save money! Carters must provide recycling and organics collection at a discounted rate compared to trash collection.
- Sign a new written service agreement with a zone-authorized carter and post your green DSNY decal.
| | Santander Cultivate Small Business Program – Applications Open! | |
Santander’s Cultivate Small Business (CSB) program supports early-stage food businesses, including bakers, caterers, CPG companies, food trucks, and small restaurant owners, by providing immersive business education, mentorship, and access to capital.
Delivered in partnership with Babson College and local ecosystem partners, the program helps entrepreneurs strengthen their financial management, refine their growth strategies, and expand their networks. CSB is offered at no cost to participants and is designed to help early-stage food businesses scale sustainably, create jobs and deepen their impact on local communities.
| | Help Your Employees Save for Retirement | |
Eligible employers with 10 or more employees, that have been in business for at least two years, and don’t already offer a qualified retirement plan must facilitate New York Secure Choice for their employees, the state’s new retirement savings program.
Employers required to facilitate the program must register by the following deadlines:
- 30 or more employees – March 18, 2026
- 15 to 29 employees – May 15, 2026
- 10 to 14 employees – July 15, 2026
It’s free and easy for employers to get started.
| | Avoid Fines and Violations | | |
For the first time starting this month, NYC Department of Consumer & Worker Protection (DCWP) inspectors will begin enforcing businesses’ legally required display of Know Your Rights at Work and Protected Time Off posters in an area easily visible to all workers. This new initiative reflects DCWP's broader commitment to education-first enforcement.
The agency encourages businesses to take advantage of its Visiting Inspection Program (VIP), which helps operators proactively identify and address potential issues before an inspection. Small business owners can also access resources and learn more about their obligations under New York City consumer and worker protection laws by visiting DCWP's Resources for Businesses page.
Reminder: NYC BEST is your guide to understanding the city’s rules, regulations, licensing, and permitting processes, through consultative conversations and walkthroughs with a customized checklist for your brick-and-mortar business.
| | Opioid Antagonist Requirement in First Aid Kits | | Concession & Food Festival Opportunities | | Visiting Small Businesses in Bayside | | Prepare Your Business for Extreme Heat | |
Learn how to keep your business, customers, and employees safe and cool this summer.
From gas leaks and fires, to major hurricanes, flooding, and blackouts, NYC business owners face many challenges that can impact your operations and assets. The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is here to help guide you through the start of a business continuity plan.
Date: Wednesday, July 29
Time: 11 a.m.
| | Creating a More Accessible Business for Customers and Employees | |
Date: Tuesday, July 21
Time: 2 p.m.
| Doing Business Right: Understanding the NYC Human Rights Law | |
Date: Tuesday, July 28
Time: 12 p.m.
| |
Unlock Free Advertising Secrets with LinkNYC
Learn the fundamentals of using this low-cost advertising platform for small businesses.
| | Calling All Aspiring Restaurateurs and Early-Stage F&B Operators! | |
NYC Restaurant Academy is a one-stop learning hub for aspiring food entrepreneurs, restaurant owners, operators, and managers. The Academy brings together practical training, expert guidance, business tools, and industry expertise to help participants start, operate, grow, and sustain a successful restaurant or other foodservice business in New York City.
And, we'll soon be adding additional topic-specific webinar trainings that will provide deeper, more focused guidance on critical drivers of restaurant success. These will be helpful to existing food business operators who want to strengthen their business knowledge, address common challenges, and improve long-term performance.
| | About the Food and Beverage Industry Partnership | | The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS)’s NYC Food and Beverage Industry Partnership team acts as a convener to drive alignment and collaboration among NYC foodservice industry stakeholders. With input from our advisory groups, we lead strategic thinking to guide city investment in industry-informed services and resources. We work to identify new, actionable ways the city can demonstrate its commitment to support NYC’s food and beverage businesses and workers. | | | | |
