National Restaurant Association seeks solutions to penny shortage

The National Restaurant Association is seeking solutions to the national penny shortage. The shortage means operators can't order pennies from their local banks, credit unions or Federal Reserve coin terminals, according to a press release.

The NRA is seeking two solutions:

• Urging the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve and the coin supply chain to work together to ensure the nationwide circulation of the penny.
• Federal legislation establishing nationwide rounding rules with a safe harbor for restaurant operators handling transactions when exact change is unavailable.

"When operators can't provide exact change, it creates friction at checkout, frustrating customers," Michelle Korsmo, president & CEO of the National Restaurant Association, said in the press release. "In a highly competitive industry, like restaurants, any change to the hospitality our customers expect could mean a lost return sale for an operator."

Many operators are rounding down when they don't have the exact change, costing operators an estimated $13 to $14 million per month. In an industry with low 3-5% pre-tax profit margins, rounding due to the penny shortage will start to cut into operator profitability.

In the letter, Korsmo asked leaders at the Fed and Treasury to help alleviate the penny shortage by re-opening the penny order and deposit system.

"This will help to recirculate the penny while the Association works with Congress to pass legislation that provides national rounding guidance for all businesses and a safe harbor for when restaurant and business owners need to round because exact change cannot be provided," said Korsmo.

Congress is working on legislation that would provide the long-term solutions, and the Association is coordinating closely with the bill sponsors to ensure it includes the industry's priorities. If passed, this legislation would safeguard small business owners from potential liability, simplify transactions, and reflect the reality of a post-penny economy.