Survey: DC Cashless Restaurants Cite Past Robberies As Reason For No-Cash Policies
District restaurants that have stopped accepting cash have firsthand experience being robbed or burglarized, some as recent as this year, according to a new survey of local restaurant owners.
While 90% of District restaurants accept cash at some or all locations, those that have switched to card-only payments cite employee safety as their driving concern.
“Safety is number one,” said one restaurant owner.
“After our staff was held at gunpoint, it was very difficult, and ultimately we decided to not take cash,” said another.
The survey of Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) members also found that restaurant employees support cashless policies: 100% of workers at cashless establishments have expressed concerns about handling cash.
“A restaurant’s decision to go cashless is not taken lightly,” said Shawn Townsend, President and CEO of RAMW. “It comes after being robbed and taking into account specific factors such as late-night hours and employees working alone.
“Restaurants that have faced robberies should be able to decide how to best keep workers and diners safe and whether or not to accept cash,” Townsend said.
There’s Widespread Cash Acceptance
The survey of DC restaurants, bars, and event venues was conducted at the midpoint of a 9-month hold on the Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act. The law, passed in 2020 and taking effect last year, requires all businesses to accept cash but was paused until January 2025 as part of the Secure DC legislation.
Nearly every RAMW member surveyed – 9 in 10 – accepts cash at all or some of their locations, despite no legal requirement. The total number of restaurants that accept cash is likely even higher.
The Policy: Safety First
Restaurants said that employee safety is the number one reason to go cashless. One restaurant said the staff “feel safe when there is no cash on premises.” Another said, “They don’t want to be in a position where someone wants to rob the bakery over a couple hundred dollars in cash.”
Every cashless businesses (100%) felt accepting cash “significantly increases” their risk of robbery.
It’s Based on First-Hand Experience
Among businesses that accept cash at some locations but not others, 100% have been robbed since January, compared with 13% of those accepting cash at all locations, underscoring that the decision to go cashless is driven by direct experiences with crime. As one restaurant noted:
“Between our two locations we have been broken into 15 times. Each time it was $300 to $500 worth of damage. In one instance, our staff was held up at gunpoint. Luckily they used a pellet gun, but the mental health effects were the same as if it was a more dangerous handgun. After that incident we decided to not take cash.”
Follow-up interviews with survey respondents who accept cash at only some locations found that these decisions are further made based on factors such as late hours and shifts when employees work alone.
For example, the Pie Shop on H Street has two different cash policies within the same building: Cash is accepted at the upstairs bar and event venue, but not at the first floor bakery and cafe.
“The cafe is open all day long and is staffed by just one employee most of the day,” said Sandra Basanti, Pie Shop CEO and Founder. “Upstairs has multiple staff, including security, so it’s less of a risk for employees and they feel more comfortable accepting cash.”
In another example, Surfside accepts cash at its Tenleytown restaurant but not at its 24-hour Dupont Circle location.
“Based on our experience running a 24/7 operation, we have seen firsthand how accepting cash at certain times can increase a business’s vulnerability to crime,” said Marisa Casey, CEO of Georgetown Events and Hospitality Group. “By limiting cash transactions, we've found that it significantly improves the level of safety for our staff and customers.”
Helping Unbanked Communities
“Addressing the needs of unbanked communities is important, and the council and administration have taken steps to help these individuals,” Townsend said.
“For example, the Bank on DC program from the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking helps to provide safe and affordable financial services to District residents,” he said. “Programs like this empower individuals to build their financial futures.”
NBC4: DC's Cashless Business Ban Could Be Back in Effect Jan. 1
“We are a cashless venue for the safety of our crew,” Anna Valero, President and Co-Founder of Pirate Ventures, told NBC 4. “I couldn't in good conscience, knowing what was happening with public safety in this city, suddenly expect our crew to be at a higher risk into start taking cash." Read More.
About the Survey
The RAMW member survey of 129 restaurants, bars, and event venues was conducted online Aug. 21 to Sep. 9, 2024.
About Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW)
The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is the regional trade association representing restaurants and the foodservice industry in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Established in 1920, RAMW is an advocate, resource and community for its members. The Association works to promote and sustain the growth and development of the industry while providing its members legislative and regulatory representation, marketing and small business support, programming and events. RAMW strives to serve its members with professionalism and integrity, and provide them the training, education and support they need to grow a successful business.
###