During this challenging season, Papa John’s, comprised of 21 San Antonio stores as part of Pizza Venture of San Antonio, LLC, has focused its attention on the local community by distributing food and monetary contributions to nonprofit organizations. Now, the local franchise is turning to its own industry by donating 100,000 face masks to the San Antonio chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association.

“Every day the pandemic continues, it hurts our local restaurants and small business owners. We’re required to operate at 50 percent dining occupancy which, for most in our industry, is difficult to sustain,” says Dawn Ann Larios Executive Director for the TRA West Region – SA and Bexar County.  “Restaurants have always been held to a high standard but because of the pandemic, we have had to adapt to a whole new way of operating, which includes incurring additional costs for protective items such as face masks to keep our employees and customers safe. We are grateful for community support from our fellow restaurateur Papa John’s for their generous contribution of supplies.”

According to the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry has suffered far more job losses than any other sector during the pandemic, as government-mandated restrictions have led to millions of restaurant and foodservice employees being laid off or furloughed. As a result of the recent slowdown, eating and drinking place employment remains nearly 2.5 million jobs below its pre-coronavirus peak. Restaurants in Texas employ 1.3 million people. In San Antonio, one out of every seven employees work in the food and beverage industry.

“During this time of crisis, we stand in support of the restaurant industry,” says Clark Mandigo III, president and COO of Pizza Venture of San Antonio, LLC. “It is important for us Papa John’s employees to help support locally owned and operated restaurants and to make a positive impact for their fellow staff members, whose livelihoods have been disrupted.”