Texas Restaurants Prepare To Reopen, Struggle To Survive

(Austin, TX) — A state restaurant industry group says it’s working on ways to help restaurants reopen in the weeks ahead.

Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest order allows restaurants and other businesses to reopen on Friday, but only at 25% capacity. Emily Knight, CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, says smaller eateries may not be able to survive with so little business.

Knight says 2% of Texas restaurants are permanently closed, and another six-percent may shut down by the end of May. She says loan forgiveness options and federal funding may help save some struggling restaurants.