. And Zimmern told Insider that he estimates about a one-third of America's remaining independent restaurants, although not officially closed, are"just hanging on by a thread."
Bars and restaurants are a major sales channel for Cointreau, whose eponymous flagship liquor product is used in a variety of cocktails from margaritas to Manhattans. McLernon said that although online sales of Cointreau have grown during the pandemic, he believes that independent bars and restaurants are vital to the brand's longevity.
Zimmern and other IRC members are frustrated that there hasn't been a relief bill specifically for America's roughly 500,000 independent restaurants, which he estimates directly employ between 11 million and 13 million people.