Operations

Operating a restaurant involves a lot of moving parts – most controlled by you, but many controlled by laws, regulations, licenses and permits. Alcoholic beverages, food safety, labor practices and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (the healthcare mandate) are significant – and then there is everything else.

Get to know the regulatory agencies that govern such things as sidewalk cafes, signage, noise, fire safety and more. And, get to know about the efforts being made by RAMW on your behalf to improve the regulatory environment.

Consumers Have Mixed Feelings About the Economy

September 20, 2019

Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association Six in 10 millennials give the economy negative marks. The national job growth streak is now at 107 consecutive months, and household spending remains solid. Yet many consumers still have a negative assessment of the economy, according to new National Restaurant Association research. Only 43 percent of adults describe the national economy as ‘excellent’ or ‘good,’ according to a telephone survey conducted September 12-16 by Engine for the National Restaurant Association. Fifty-three percent of adults gave the...

Where Food Safety is Concerned, Stay Vigilant Every Day

September 24, 2019

Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association Week 4 of National Food Safety Month focuses on reinforcing the importance of food safety with staff members. It will protect your guests and business. As National Food Safety Month ends, week 4 is focused on ways to keep employees engaged in maintaining their commitment to following and maintaining the highest food-safety standards. Download all four weeks of National Food Safety Month content free Each year, the National Restaurant Association uses National Food Safety Month to help operators reinforce the importance of food safety with...

Why You Should Build Your Business wIth Self-Care in Mind

September 23, 2019

Original content c/o: James Beard Foundation Written by Stacy Carroll James Beard Foundation director of Impact programs Stacy Carroll explains why prioritizing self-care is an important part of building a strong business, and how we're integrating that philosophy into our Owning It program to help support hundreds of women entrepreneurs across the country. Photo: Clay Williams Over the last year, we’ve traveled to Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Phoenix with our Owning It program in support of emerging entrepreneurs, and we’ve heard from hundreds of women about what...

DMPED Opens "Great Streets Small Business Grants" Applications

September 23, 2019

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) welcomes submissions from eligible small businesses seeking to improve their place of business through this capital improvement grant program. Purpose : The purpose of the Great Streets Initiative is to transform certain designated emerging commercial corridors into thriving, walkable, and inviting neighborhood experiences. The Great Streets Initiative does this by supporting existing businesses, attracting new businesses, increasing the District’s tax base, and creating new job opportunities for District...Read more

Lawmakers Take Aim at Single-Use Packaging in Restaurants

September 19, 2019

Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association Cities and states are imposing new restrictions or bans on certain types of packaging used in restaurants. Plastic straws may be the poster child for efforts to reduce plastics use, but legislation is unfolding across the nation to restrict or ban many types of restaurant packaging and single-use cutlery, packaging and other food ware. State restaurant associations , restaurateurs and suppliers are working with city councils and state legislatures to make sure new restrictions are workable for restaurants and that lawmakers understand the...Read more

National Restaurant Association's 2019 State of the Industry Report

September 19, 2019

Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association The latest industry trends — customers, industry segments, workforce, and more. What's the outlook for restaurants in 2019? The National Restaurant Association 's 2019 State of the Restaurant Industry report provides the details. From sales forecasts to projections for food costs, workforce opportunities, food trends, and technology advances, you'll get the overview here. Their State of the Industry report is available for purchase or as a complimentary download for members of the Association. Download the report!...Read more

District Holds “Food for Thought” Event to Help Ward 7 & 8 Residents Launch Food Industry Businesses

September 18, 2019

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Bowser administration officials, industry experts and entrepreneurs shared tips on how residents in Wards 7 and 8 can start and successfully run a food and beverage business in the District. “Food for Thought,” a half-day event held at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center in Ward 8, was presented by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) and the Washington DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) . "Starting a restaurant, or another type of food-related business can be daunting, especially when you don’t know where to begin,”...Read more

Washington Nationals & Levy Launch Food Recovery Program with Nourish Now

September 17, 2019

The Washington Nationals and hospitality partner Levy are proud to announce a new partnership with Nourish Now , a Maryland-based food recovery non-profit. Nourish Now will receive and distribute appropriate excess food items from Nationals Park’s concession stands, clubs, and suites. The comprehensive food recovery program will also include food from special events held at the ballpark throughout the year. The majority of the collected items will provide vital support to children, families, and veterans in Montgomery County. A portion of the donated food will be delivered to the...Read more

DC Business Community & Major Employers Back Statehood for the District of Columbia

September 17, 2019

Washington, DC (September 17, 2019) — Earlier today, the District’s main business and employer organizations — Federal City Council, Greater Washington Board of Trade, DC Hospital Association, DC Chamber of Commerce, Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington, District of Columbia Building Industry Association, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and the Hotel Association of Washington, DC — formally endorsed HR. 51 and DC statehood in a letter to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. There is a clear economic and business...Read more

Podcast: National Restaurant Association’s CEO Dawn Sweeney on the ‘Relentless Resilience’ of the Industry

September 4, 2019

Original content c/o: Nation's Restaurant News NRN’s editor-in-chief interviews the CEO on what’s next for the association Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcast , Spotify or SoundCloud . National Restaurant Association CEO Dawn Sweeney is getting ready to pass the torch. After spending 12 years as the lead executive of the National Restaurant Association, Sweeney announced this spring she will be stepping down from her role at the end of 2019. In an interview with NRN at the association’s DC headquarters, she said she is working harder than ever to get things ready to...