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Fall is here, and with it comes one of the busiest times of year for NYC’s food and beverage businesses. From seasonal menus to holiday planning to longer lines and fuller dining rooms, there’s a lot to stay on top of.
This month’s newsletter provides updates to help you make informed decisions heading into this year’s 4th quarter. And it includes links to valuable resources and opportunities that can benefit your business.
We want to be sure you make the most of the season — starting now. We’re here specifically to guide and support NYC F&B business owners and operators. So, reach out to us directly anytime at foodandbeverage@sbs.nyc.gov.
Wishing you a profitable October!
Steven Picker & Rosanne Martino
NYC Food and Beverage Industry Partnership at SBS
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NYC Chef Connect Leadership Network
Our NYC Chef Connect Series provides a space for chefs, sous chefs, and other kitchen supervisors to connect and address leadership challenges.
If you are in a kitchen leadership role and would like to be notified about future Chef Connect events, sign up below.
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Free English Language Training for Restaurant Workers at Your Restaurant
If you have workers with limited English proficiency, please respond to our survey.
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Make Your Voice Heard – Take This 5-Minute Survey for NYC Food & Beverage Businesses
The Fund for Public Health in New York City, a nonprofit group that works to make New Yorkers healthier, is conducting a short survey to learn about sick leave rules in NYC restaurants and eating & drinking establishments. It takes only 5–10 minutes, and your answers can help improve city rules in the future. The survey is private and anonymous — we won’t ask for your name or your business name — so please answer honestly.
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Bronx Commercial Waste Zones Roll Out
Bronx businesses must sign a new contract with a private carter authorized to work in your zone by November 30, 2025, or they will be assigned a carter at the maximum allowable rate.
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NYC Restaurant Academy News
We hosted a networking and resource event on September 16 for early-stage food entrepreneurs who attended sessions of the NYC Restaurant Academy series. NYC Restaurant Academy covers all the practical basics you’ll need to avoid common missteps and run a more successful, profitable restaurant or other foodservice operation.
If you are interested in future Academy offerings, sign up below.
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Optimizing Your Google Business Profile
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Time: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave, 2nd floor
Want to make your Google business profile really stand out?
Join the Google team for an in person, interactive workshop. You'll walk you through exactly how to add your social media links, set up messaging, and create engaging Google social posts.
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NYC: Emerging Leader Council Networking Event
Co-sponsored by NYSRA and AUTEC
Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: AUTEC NY Showroom, 177 Lafayette 200 N 2R, New York, NY 10013
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An opportunity for young professionals ages 22-39 to connect with others in the hospitality industry and take complimentary professional headshots.
Use code GINAZ for free registration.
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How to Successfully Navigate the NYC Funding Ecosystem
Date: Monday, October 16, 2025
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Location: Jay Conference Empire - Meetings and Events Space in Midtown NYC, 8 West 38th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018
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This event will provide a comprehensive roadmap to the city's funding ecosystem including NYC Funds Finder.
Attendees will:
- Learn about traditional and alternative funding options ideal for starting or growing your business
- Meet funding representations from banks, grant programs, CDFIs and more
- Connect with financial advisors to help you navigate funding options
- Learn about invaluable small business services available to you
- Engage with other small business owners
- Book time with professional accountants to help fortify your finances
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National ACE, in partnership with Grubhub, is proud to announce the opening of applications for the 2025 Restaurant Accelerator and Community Fund Grant, a program made possible by grant support from the Grubhub Community Fund.
From October 1 to October 24, small, independent restaurants across the United States can apply for the chance to join a program designed to spark growth, innovation, and long-term success. Applicants who attend at least three of National ACE’s expert-led virtual Restaurant Accelerator sessions in November will be eligible to receive a $5,000 Community Fund Grant to invest directly in their business.
Note: due to the program’s high demand, the application portal will close once 500 applications have been received, even if that occurs before the October 24 deadline, so we are highly encouraging small business owners to apply as early as possible during the application open period.
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FY26 Nightlife Grant
Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations for projects that strengthen nightlife business vitality within NYC.
Deadline: October 15, 2025
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NYC Future Fund
Revenue-based loans that adjust to your business’s revenue for flexible repayment. When revenue is higher payments are higher; when revenue is lower, payments decrease.
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Flushing Meadows Corona Park
The NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (Parks) requests proposals for the renovation, operation, and maintenance of an outdoor café and bicycle and boat rental stations in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, with the option for future Queens bicycle and boat rental locations.
Parks is seeking a concessionaire for one 15-year term.
Deadline: October 15, 2025
| | | Stronger Together: Empowering Veteran-Owned Businesses | |
Wednesday, November 12 | 9:30 a.m.
Join us for a day dedicated to empowering veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs.
This resource event brings together key partners — including city agencies, nonprofit service providers, lenders, and veteran-run organizations — all committed to providing resources and support to veteran-owned businesses and those owned by their immediate family members.
This is an in-person event in Downtown Manhattan and registration is required.
| | Meet NYC BEST at NYC Buildings After Hours Events | |
The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) hosts Buildings After Hours events every 1st and 3rd week of the month at their borough offices located throughout the 5 boroughs.
Small business owners are welcome!
Our NYC Business Express Service Team (NYC BEST) will join DOB staff at these events to answer questions and help brick-and-mortar business owners throughout the five boroughs launch and operate efficiently and in compliance.
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Worker Co-op Webinars: From Worker to Owner
Interested in starting a business, but don't want to do it alone? Worker cooperatives offer a way to build meaningful jobs while ensuring that profits and control stay with the people doing the work.
Whether you are exploring new business ideas or looking for an alternative to traditional employment, these webinars will provide the foundational knowledge you need to get started.
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Unlock Free Advertising Secrets with LinkNYC
Learn the fundamentals of using the free and low-cost advertising platform for small businesses.
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Required Signs for NYC Restaurants
Restaurant Resource Guide
Latest news for restaurant owners.
Commercial Lease Assistance
Free legal services to help eligible businesses with signing a new commercial lease; amending, renewing, or terminating an existing commercial lease; or addressing a commercial lease-related issue.
Hiring, Onboarding & Training Playbook
Best practices guide for retaining employees
NYC Business Express Service Team (NYC BEST)
Get connected to a single point person to help you get licenses and permits faster and avoid/reduce fines and violations.
NYC Business Solutions Centers
Access free legal assistance, business courses, financing assistance, and more. Visit maps.nyc.gov/sbs to find an NYC Business Solutions Center in your borough.
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NYC Funds Finder
NYC's first-ever online funding marketplace for small businesses.
NYC Care
NYC CARE is a health care access program that guarantees low-cost and no-cost services offered by NYC Health + Hospitals to New Yorkers who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance.
NYS Secure Choice Savings Program
A retirement savings program for private-sector employees who are not offered a retirement plan through their workplace. Program is under development.
SBS Hotline 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692)
Answers small business owners' most pressing questions and connects you to other SBS services. Services are available in multiple languages.
SBS Social Media Toolkit
Approved language and graphics to share information about SBS programs and initiatives with your networks!
| | 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. | | | |
NYC Week in Review
August 23 - 29
The NYC Week in Review videos are available weekly on the Mayor's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!
Sign up to "Hear From Eric" and get direct messages from City Hall, tailored to your interests and neighborhood, sent directly to you – at nyc.gov/hearfromeric!
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