By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Culinary creatives, community support and one of the globe’s most iconic credit card brands are coming together, with American Express once again serving a helping hand to the small restaurants that make our cities sing with flavour.
Now in its fourth year, the Backing International Small Restaurants program is back - bigger, bolder and tastier than ever.
This year, Amex is dishing out 15 generous grants of $23,000 to small restaurant and cafe owners across Greater Sydney and Greater Melbourne - and for the first time, five Auckland eateries will also get a slice of the pie with $25,000 NZD grants up for grabs.
The grants are all about giving independent restaurateurs the funds they need to upgrade their spaces, fine-tune their kitchen operations, sharpen their digital tools and keep bringing people together over memorable meals. Think upgraded equipment, fresh new dining zones and tech improvements that make booking or takeaway as easy as pie.
Just ask past grantees like Sue and Dale Messina from Bojak Brewing in Dandenong, Melbourne. Thanks to the Amex grant, they were able to install permanent gas heaters in their outdoor beer garden - turning it into a family-friendly, frothy dream all year round.
They also levelled up their kitchen with new flooring and top-notch brewing gear, making the whole operation smoother and more efficient.
According to Robert Tedesco, VP of American Express Australia and New Zealand:
"Independent restaurants are often at the heart of our villages and communities – bringing people together, shaping local culture and fuelling the economy.”
It’s this community spirit that Amex is championing - not just with grants, but with a long-standing track record of showing up for small businesses. From launching Small Business Saturday back in 2010 to supporting thousands of local heroes through the pandemic, it has been quietly and consistently backing the businesses that make your weekend brunches, date nights and dumpling cravings so special.
So, if you know a Chef, cafe owner or culinary creative with a brilliant small restaurant in Sydney, Melbourne or Auckland - or you are that person - now’s the time.
Applications are officially open and close on July 1. Don’t miss the chance to get a helping hand that could take your food dream to the next level.
Applications are now open to small business owners who qualify for one of American Express’ signature grant programs in 2025: Backing International Small Restaurants and Backing Historic Small Restaurants.
