Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- afloat / əˈfloʊt / (adj) – having enough finances to operate or continue
Example:The company’s savings will keep it afloat during the crisis.
- capital / ˈkæp ɪ tl / (n) – the money that businesses use to start and continue operations
Example:My mother used her retirement pay as capital to start a small store.
- loophole / ˈlupˌhoʊl / (n) – an error in a rule or law that lets people use it wrongly or avoid its consequences
Example:Because of the loophole in our traffic law, some people get away with committing violation.
- lobby / ˈlɒb i / (v) – to try to influence the action or decision of people in authority
Example:Many organizations are lobbying for environmental policy reforms.
- in the works / ɪn ðə wɜrks / (idiom) – currently being planned or processed
Example:The local government announced that plans to support people who lost their jobs are in the works.
Article
Read the text below.
American burger chain Shake Shack has decided to give back the emergency loan granted by the US government after learning that the fund had run out, and many small businesses had not received any aid.
Shake Shack was given a $10 million loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which is meant to keep small businesses afloat and help them pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. However, the company decided to return the loan and find other ways to raise money for its business. In a LinkedIn post, the chain said that it had found a way to get additional capital. Shake Shack is aiming to raise around $75 million by selling some of its shares to investors.
Considering the economic consequences brought by the pandemic, Shake Shack initially applied for the emergency loan to sustain its workforce and business operations.
The PPP was supposed to help small businesses that have fewer than 500 employees. However, despite being a large company, Shake Shack was able to apply because of a loophole in the application guidelines. The loophole allowed companies to count their employees per location instead of their overall workforce.
However, Shake Shack decided to return the loan after learning that the $349-billion program had run out of funds for small businesses in need of help. The restaurant hopes that the money returned is given to those who need it, and that other companies that have enough capital would follow their example.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin [mə-NOO-shin] praised Shake Shack’s move, saying that he was glad the restaurant returned the money. Now, Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti and chairman Danny Meyer are lobbying to increase PPP funding. The US government assured that a plan to accomplish this is now in the works.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
• Do you think Shake Shack made the right decision in returning the money? Why or why not?
• Do you agree that small businesses should be given priority over bigger ones during a pandemic? Why or why not?
Discussion B
• Do you think small businesses are important? Explain.
• What are some ways to show support to small businesses? Discuss.