Core Insights - American Express and the International Downtown Association Foundation announced the 2025 grantees of the Backing International Small Restaurants grant program, awarding over $1.4 million to 97 small and independently owned restaurants across 14 cities globally [1][5] - Since its inception in 2022, the program has provided over $3.2 million in funding to a total of 237 restaurants [1][5] Grant Program Overview - The initiative aims to honor restaurants that positively impact their communities, with this year's grantees serving as cultural and social hubs [3][5] - The grants will assist in modernizing dining spaces, improving kitchen operations, and enhancing digital tools for the selected restaurants [3][5] Grantee Highlights - Notable grantees include Freims in Mexico City, which will use the grant for accessibility improvements, and Doublevie in Paris, which plans to revamp kitchen equipment and support community events [4][5] - The program emphasizes the role of small restaurants in preserving culture, creating jobs, and fostering community connections [5] Financial Impact - The Backing International Small Restaurants program complements American Express's Backing Historic Small Restaurants program, which has provided over $8 million to 180 restaurants in the U.S. since 2021 [5] - Together, these initiatives have delivered over $11 million in support to more than 410 small restaurants globally [5]