ABOUT US

Seattle Restaurants United is a coalition of restaurant owners and operators who came together in response to COVID-19 to advocate for the small restaurant community.  Since its formation in March 2020, SRU has helped influence legislation at the city, state, and federal level to help restaurants survive the economic consequences of the pandemic.


SRU has been at the forefront of pushing policy changes that can support our members, ranging from local issues such as capping delivery fees and securing free street use for outdoor dining, to advocating at the state level for commercial tenant protections, capping UI Experience rate class increases, and increasing direct relief to small and independent restaurants. At the federal level, SRU is a member of the Independent Restaurant Coalition and helped craft the RESTAURANTS Act of 2020.  

Seattle Restaurants United is guided by the recognition that small and independent restaurants have not had a unified voice at the policy and advocacy table. Our members are not chains or franchises, and our restaurant owners can be found in the kitchens and front of house, shoulder to shoulder with their employees. 

It is vital that elected leaders and public agencies hear from smaller businesses like those that make up SRU. Too often, policymakers only hear from organizations who represent dramatically larger businesses. While we are often in alignment with those groups, we believe it is vital for truly small and independent restaurants to have an equal and distinct voice.

We are thrilled to have a seat at the table actively engaging and contributing to the legislative process.  As small business owners our purpose is to serve our community and run successful businesses, and we believe that those two purposes are inextricably linked. We thrive when our communities and employees thrive. 

SRU is a proudly progressive organization.

  • We believe that doing well and doing right are two sides of the same coin, and that when we lead with our values, we are also supporting our businesses and our employees.

  • We center our work around the workers and businesses that have historically been marginalized, both in our industry and in society at large. 

  • We support Black Lives Matter, before, during and after the uprisings of the summer of 2020.

  • We believe housing and health care are human rights, and essential for maintaining strong communities in which our small businesses thrive.

  • We believe that a healthy economy that supports our businesses must work for real people - our employees deserve good pay and health care, and our customers deserve to be able to afford meals in our restaurants.

  • We will use our privilege and platforms to rise in solidarity and advocate for all members of our community.

  • We believe that business and progress are natural partners, and we work collaboratively with our community, partners, and leaders to bring them together.


SRU is a volunteer-led membership organization. Our work is aligned through our advisory board, and in regular communication with our members. We are proud to have the leadership of our advisory board set our direction. The current members are listed below: 

Aaron Verzosa – Owner, Archipelago

Anu Apte – Owner, Rob Roy, Navy Strength, No Anchor, Vinnie’s 

Chera Amlag – Owner, Hood Famous Bakeshop, Hood Famous Cafe+Bar

Daisley Gordon – Owner, Cafe Campagne 

jeanie chunn – SRU co-founder; Director of Engagement, RAISE High Road Restaurants; former Director of Operations and Community Engagement, Sea Creatures 

Jesse Spring – Owner, Bad Bishop 

Joey Burgess – Owner, Queer Bar, Grim’s, the Cuff Complex, Trophy Cupcakes, Little Big News

Marcus Lalario – Owner, Lil Woody’s, Fats, Ciudad, Mezzanotte

Melissa Miranda – Owner, Musang