The Musso and Frank Grill’s new fund supports the many employees who have been furloughed during the pandemic. (photo by Tina Whatcott Echeverria)

Inspired by the altruistic gestures of dozens of longtime patrons of the iconic restaurant, the owners of the Musso and Frank Grill have launched the Musso Employee Relief Fund.

The new fund will provide 50% of the funds required to cover the ongoing health care and medical insurance coverage, and 50% for living expenses, for the restaurant’s 84 employees who are currently furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mark Echeverria, Musso and Frank’s CFO/COO and a fourth-generation member of the family of owners, said he was grateful for the support from the community and thankful for the ability to help longtime employees.

“So many friends, longtime patrons and members of our extended Musso ‘family’ have been reaching out to us without prompting, inquiring as to how they might go about making a charitable contribution to the welfare of our employees,” Echeverria said. “We were touched by these acts of generosity and by knowing that dozens of longtime patrons were willing to demonstrate the support our employees enjoy from the community by making financial donations. We are very proud to be partnered with our community members, truly wonderful folks who have inspired the formation of this new fund.”

After dozens of longtime Musso and Frank patrons began reaching out to the restaurant’s owners in November asking how they could help furloughed employees, the owners created a GoFundMe Page to raise money to cover the ongoing health care and medical insurance coverage and living expenses. The owners have been covering their employees’ health coverage since the venue was first forced to close for business in March.

Additionally, 25% of all proceeds generated by retail sales of online merchandise – which includes Musso and Frank-branded face masks, cufflinks, gift cards and a book detailing the restaurant’s 100 year history – will be added to the fund.

The Musso and Frank Grill has been a Hollywood icon and destination since 1919. For information and to support the fund, visit mussoandfrank.com.