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April 6, 2020
We have a few updates, reminders and invitations to share with all of you as we head into a new week.
First and foremost, we want to remind you of a few resources to lean on as we know this has been a time of significant stress for you and your employees. Feelings of distress and anxiety can take an emotional toll as you are forced to make incredibly difficult decisions each and every day.
The CDC stresses the importance of taking care of YOURSELF during this time and following the suggested guidelines below of things you can do to support yourself.
Taking care of yourself, your...
April 4, 2020
On Premises Workplace Infection Control Practices Impacting Employees
1. May Restaurants require employees to provide notes from healthcare providers confirming they can return to work?
A: Generally, even If employers do not require disclosure of medical information, they can require notes confirming employees can return to work without violating the ADA because the request would not be disability related. As a practical matter, however, public health authorities have warned that doctors and other health care professionals may be too busy during and immediately after a pandemic outbreak to...
April 3, 2020
To help navigate the challenges of COVID-19 the James Beard Foundation has been hosting industry support webinars to help provide resources for the hospitality community and to better stay connected throughout difficult times by sharing advice on a range of topics from business and unemployment insurance to marketing in the time of COVID-19 to mental health resources.
You can find recordings of last week’s webinars here.
Next week’s topics and speakers include:
Monday, April 6: Retail Leases and Tenant Rights
Cindy McLoughlin (JBF Trustee) and Richard...
April 3, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
Association adds ServSuccess courses to its free offerings to support restaurant employees and help them return to the industry with advanced skills.
Homebound restaurant employees have the opportunity to use this time to upskill – for free – thanks to the National Restaurant Association ServSafe and ServSuccess programs as well as American Hotel & Lodging Foundation.
The ServSuccess online learning suites provide training on the skills and knowledge the industry identifies as essential...
April 3, 2020
Original content c/o: Streetsense
Place-based organizations focused on economic development such as Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have long played an integral role in enhancing delivery of public services and providing other innovative, market-informed tools and services to local businesses within their defined service area boundaries. Now more than ever these organizations are engaged in problem-solving and tackling unprecedented business environment challenges, alongside municipalities and private sector collaborators across the country.
BIDs are also thinking outside the box for...
April 3, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
Your access to coronavirus relief will require documentation, the key to any successful business continuity/financial recovery plan.
Keeping records is probably the last thing you’re thinking about while you try to figure out ways to keep your doors — or at least your drive-thru window — open during the coronavirus crisis. But documents and records may be the things that help you most in securing loans and grant money to tide you over until the crisis passes.
Now is the time to gather documents and start tracking...
April 2, 2020
In this morning’s message, we mentioned creating an anchoring message as we enter into the Congressional Phase IV of relief. If you have not done so already, please email coronavirus@ramw.org to provide feedback as to what you think should be included in the Phase IV relief outside of what we already know. For more information on what we are already working on, click here.
We have received a few requests from our restaurant community for access to masks and gloves. At this time local health authorities are not requiring full time use of masks and gloves, however we do...
April 2, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
As Covid-19 rages on, telemedicine is a viable treatment option, while access to discounted prescriptions is always a great benefit.
The National Restaurant Association is offering two programs to help members and their employees stay healthy and safe.
Through its new partner, Healthiest You, the Association is making a telemedicine option available to its members. The service is $7/month per employee. There are no co-pays, and all family members can use the service.
The National Restaurant Association is offering members access to...
April 2, 2020
To provide financial relief to customers impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19), the ABC Board has determined to extend select payment deadlines and expirations including the following:
Annual License Payments | Extended from March 31, 2020 to June 1, 2020.
Alcohol License Expirations | Any alcohol licenses, including ABC Manager Licenses that expire March 16 - May 31, 2020 are now valid through June 1, 2020.
Fines | Any fines due between March 16 - May 31, 2020 are now due June 1, 2020
Q1 Statements | Extended from April 30, 2020 to June 1, 2020.
April 2, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
Here’s what you need to do to take advantage of loans available through the coronavirus relief bill.
The coronavirus relief package known as the CARES Act signed into law March 27 by President Trump will make low-cost loans available to you to help get you through the economic hardship caused by the pandemic.
Check with your accountant or tax advisor to see which of the loan programs provides greater benefits and lower risks to your business.
The two loan programs are Small Business Administration’s existing Economic...
April 2, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
As Covid-19 rages on, telemedicine is a viable treatment option, while access to discounted prescriptions is always a great benefit.
The National Restaurant Association is offering two programs to help members and their employees stay healthy and safe.
Through its new partner, Healthiest You, the Association is making a telemedicine option available to its members. The service is $7/month per employee. There are no co-pays, and all family members can use the service.
Those interested in participating in the telemedicine option can...
April 2, 2020
Today we need your input as we continue our local and national advocacy efforts for relief for our industry. We know the relief outlined in the CARES Act does not go far enough to support restaurants, and that implementation is flawed when applied to our unique industry. It is important to note that while drafting Phase III (CARES Act), Congress always knew there would be a Phase IV of relief, so some relief measures and issues were punted to Phase IV. They also neglected to consider how long a business may be disrupted to reflect timelines and look backs that are relevant as it...
April 1, 2020
As we come to the end of the day, we want to share updates from around the region in the form of relief and clarity. But first, we want to acknowledge that we are fully aware that there are some serious flaws in the relief programs outlined by the CARES Act. We are working daily with state partners around the country and our national partners to collect those concerns and create a coordinated ask as we go into phase IV of relief. Our intention is to ensure issues are addressed, corrected and reflected as this package is being refined. In the meantime, we want to offer...
April 1, 2020
Original content c/o: Streetsense
During a time when the majority of the globe’s citizens are staying home, destination marketers find themselves wondering how to forge on with their day-to-day operations sans visitors. Despite near-empty hotels and airports, never have we collectively experienced a greater need for destination marketers to seize their natural leadership potential and gather their community to come together for the benefit of the common good. In the wake of these unprecedented times, we’re sharing three crucial best practices for all destination marketers.
Don...
April 1, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
If you need to close down operations until the coronavirus runs its course, do it safely so you’re ready to open for business when that happy day arrives.
As of April 1, some 270 million people — three fourths of the entire U.S. population — are living their lives under some form of COVID-19 stay-at-home order. That means, among other things, that dining in restaurants has been put on hold.
With millions of people living under some kind of COVID-19 stay-at-home order now, many restaurants are facing the...
March 31, 2020
Dear Operator,
As we close out another busy day, we want to address some questions we have received from all of you and share helpful new guidance on the Federal relief front.
Applying for loans through SBA
We have received NEW GUIDANCE today from the Small Business Administration that you ARE able to apply for both a PPP loan and an EIDL, however they cannot be used for the same purpose. For example, you cannot use an EIDL loan to cover payroll during the same time period your PPP loan covers payroll. The different loan applications should identify...
March 31, 2020
Original content c/o: Streetsense
Both independent restaurants and large corporate chains are facing their own unique challenges in order to emerge from COVID-19 in a strong position. A lot of that depends upon the owners’ future access to capital, as well as the flexibility of their vendors, landlords, and equipment leasing firms. At this point, with so much out of our control, here are a few points that we do have the ability to control:
Access to Capital – Create a Plan on How You Will Come Back Financially
How much capital will you need, and where will it come from? Think...
March 31, 2020
Yesterday was a day of announcements, and while in practice it doesn’t actually change much from the previous guidance, it can be a lot to wrap your head around. As always we want to make sure we are providing you with new and helpful information to assist in your business operations, but also to outline opportunities for relief and how to navigate federal support.
Essential Letters for Restaurant Workers
As a reminder, across the region restaurants offering takeout and delivery are deemed essential as they act as important sources of food. Click here for letters you can share...
March 31, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
Starting Thursday, April 2, restaurant employees can apply to receive a check for $500 from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Restaurant Employee Relief Fund.
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation has launched the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund to support U.S. restaurant employees financially impacted by the coronavirus crisis.
Beginning April 2, restaurant employees can apply online to receive a one-time, $500 check to use toward bills, including housing, transportation,...
March 30, 2020
Dear Operators,
As we start this new week, we know many of you are still navigating your temporary business models and continuing to seek guidance and support during these uncertain times. Many in our industry have proactively launched efforts to support their employees, but we understand it is difficult to decide what the right route for you may be. We wanted to share with you some forthcoming employee relief options.
First, know that RAMW is developing a model in partnership with our friends at Hook Hall Helps to modestly support our operators to position restaurants who...
March 27, 2020
As we all head into the weekend we want to share important information with you about opportunities for relief on the local and national level.
National Relief
As you know, Congress passed the CARES Act and it was signed into law by the President today. The CARES Act offers support for employers and employees during this incredibly tumultuous time, and while there are still some unknowns regarding implementation, timing and overall access, we want to share what we do know as of today.
Our partners at the National Restaurant Association hosted a webinar today to...
March 27, 2020
Dear RAMW Community, Sponsors, Partners, and Friends,
RAMW was scheduled to announce the 2020 RAMMY Award Finalists this Monday, March 30th to the industry, public, and media. Knowing that we would not be hosting an in-person event on Monday, we explored virtual announcement platforms for Monday to utilize for the announcement to maximize visibility for the finalists, sponsors, and industry. As all of you - operators and business community partners - are dealing with what is right in front of you, we have decided to reschedule the announcement of the finalists until Monday, May 4...
March 26, 2020
We shared a great deal of information earlier today, understanding there is a lot to digest. We are working with partners to get all relevant information to you in a digestible way through various platforms.
What we do know is this: The bill has a lot of relief that will benefit our industry, specifically to include the kind of independent operators in our unique market. We also know that what you care the most about are relief for your employees, relief measures for YOU, and resources that can best guide you through how to get the relief outlined in the...
March 26, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
The goal is to help operators and their employees practice safe food handling and delivery during the coronavirus pandemic.
For 30 years, ServSafe has been at the forefront of preparing restaurant and foodservice employees to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests while also keeping themselves safe. This mission is as important as ever during the service disruptions caused by the coronavirus.
ServSafe is offering free resources to restaurateurs focusing on takeout and delivery during the coronavirus crisis. The goal is to...
March 26, 2020
Late last night, the Senate unanimously passed a $2 trillion Coronavirus rescue package. The legislation is meant to blunt the economic impact of the Coronavirus on the local and national economy. The House will likely vote Friday morning. The package includes :
$349 billion program for the SBA to offer unique loans to small businesses
Tax benefits in the form of net operating loss
Qualified Improvement Property
Creates a Paycheck Protection Program
Employee Retention Tax Credit
Community Development Block Grants
Delay of payment...
