By the Numbers: 5 Years of Backing Historic Small Restaurants
Five years ago, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express launched the Backing Historic Small Restaurant Program (BHSR) to help these small businesses facing the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, BHSR has helped successive years of grantee restaurants—located in small towns, big cities, and along the iconic Route 66—to prosper. As a result, they continue to be essential neighborhood gathering spots, serving cuisines that represent our country’s global roots, while contributing to their neighborhoods’ unique histories and identities.
Explore the program’s impacts (along with some fun facts) “by the numbers,” and check out the full list of 2025 awardees.
By the Numbers
8
Over the course of five years, American Express has contributed over $8 million in grants. In 2025, each of the 50 restaurants received $50,000 to renovate and grow their businesses.
3
When surveyed about the impact of these grants, sites overwhelmingly said that they had three positive changes that were at least in part due to the awards: increased revenue, improved community engagement, and compliments and recognition of exterior improvements.
53
Backing Historic Small Restaurants has provided at least one grant in each state, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, representing a microcosm of places that are the beating heart of many communities.
180
When the program started it was in response to stressors faced by these neighborhood spots from the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, after awarding grants to 180 restaurants, the program continues to be about economic sustainability, providing a much-needed infusion of cash to restaurants that are looking to the future.
1840
The year of the founding of the oldest family-run grantee, Antoine’s in New Orleans. Having survived Prohibition, two World Wars, the Great Depression, and Hurricane Katrina, it is run today by a member of the family’s 5th generation, CEO Rick Blount.
13
At least 13 different U.S. Presidents have dined in, or been associated with, grantee establishments. This includes President Abraham Lincoln, who spoke on the steps of Foode in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
10
Ten grantee restaurants have served as famous settings in iconic films, TV shows, and music videos.This includes Goodfellas (Neir’s Tavern in New York, 2021 Grantee), Dumb and Dumber (Log Haven in Utah, 2024 Grantee), The Pelican Brief (Antoine’s in Louisiana, 2022 Grantee), and Beyonce’s Texas Hold ‘Em music video (The Barn in California, 2025 Grantee).
30
Have a hankering for a particular type of food? Look no further than the BHSR grantees, representing over 30 different types of cuisines ranging from Greek to Japanese, Caribbean to Indian, and Farm-to-table to Vegetarian. Check out this map of the full list.
