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.

No Dial Back for our Region, and Other Updates

July 30, 2020

We know you all treaded lightly this week and assessed service options waiting for any updates on operational allowances, and we are relieved that officials across the region were all on the same page in terms of not dialing back in this region at this time. As of now, DC and MD have not dialed back at all and VA only saw a dial back for the specific region of Hampton Roads, as we shared earlier in the week. This is positive news as leaders are watching cases very closely, and do not feel that current status, though continuously focused on health and safety, warrants any changes at this time...

Updates from Around The Region

July 28, 2020

In Virginia, Governor Northam announced that he is issuing a new Executive Order that only impacts the Hampton Roads area that places additional restrictions on their operating abilities. This dialing back was expected as cases have increased significantly and caused concern in that region. This EO requires all restaurants in that area only to stop selling alcohol at 10pm and close at midnight, reduces indoor dining to 50% capacity and limits public and private gathering to 50 people. The Governor did state that if cases rise throughout the state or in other jurisdictions he will take steps...

Preparing to Dial Back Operations if Needed

July 26, 2020

Leaders from across the region have been keeping a close eye on the public health data. If numbers don’t come down in the next several days, we may need to take appropriate dial back steps to manage the spread of the virus. It pains me to think about what each of you have had to do to prepare for any stage of reopening. However, it is important that you consider the same steps in the event that we hear later this week that we may in fact need to dial back. We know it is rare to ever have the luxury of time to plan for much in our industry, however I do encourage you to use this week to...

Nats Opening Day, Mayor’s New Order on Masks in DC, and Regional Updates

July 23, 2020

Today marks the long awaited opening day for our World Series Champs, The Nationals, where they will kick off their season at Nationals Park against the NY Yankees. While it just won’t be the same, it will hopefully be a tiny moment of joy in your day and will encourage folks to dine outside, indoors, or grab takeout to bring home and watch the game to root on the Nats. We are hopeful this day can serve as a sign for good days ahead as we move through these layered challenging times. In DC, to encourage public health and safety and ensure we keep moving forward, Mayor Bowser issued a...

DC, Maryland, Nat’l Updates & Information

July 21, 2020

As you are well aware, we are in the middle of a heat wave with temperatures above 95, and there have been heat advisories across the region. As many of you continue to rely on outdoor dining, we understand that these extreme temperatures have been difficult for your restaurant. We will continue to keep you updated on safe practices as these heat advisories are in effect. In Maryland, top health officials in jurisdictions across the state, including Montgomery County and Prince George's County, have asked the Governor to consider reimposing limits to combat rising cases, such as: closing...

Training Resources, VA Guidelines Enforcement, and DC Updates

July 14, 2020

Each week, the RAMW team aims to provide you with relevant and timely updates as you navigate the current business climate. Today, we are sharing new training options for you, as well as sharing important updates from Virginia and DC. You are all operating daily in what is an ever evolving situation, and what is clear is that staying up to date on health and safety measures is a critical step in protecting your employees and customers. ServSafe has been at the forefront of preparing restaurant and foodservice workers to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests during the COVID-19...

DC Relief Measures and Regional Updates

July 7, 2020

I hope you found some brief moments of downtime during the holiday weekend. As we make our way through a new week, we are sharing updates from around the region. First, while most diners are more than willing to comply with safety requirements, I wanted to bring to your attention that there are fraudulent cards circulating that claim that people are exempt from wearing a face mask. The cards — featuring a red, white and blue eagle logo and approximately the size of a business card — say the bearer is exempt from ordinances requiring them to wear masks in public. The card states,...

Why Restaurants May Now Benefit from a Paycheck Protection Program Loan

July 6, 2020

On July 4, President Trump signed into law a bill that allows potential borrowers another five weeks to get a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. Many restaurants elected not to take a PPP loan when the program was rolled out in April because of its requirement to rehire staff, along with the administrative headaches and unclear rules established by the Small Business Administration (SBA). But over the past few months, the dust has settled and the program is now more appealing for restaurants in several key respects. First, borrowers will have 24 weeks (instead of the original 8 weeks) to...

Staying the Course This Holiday Weekend and Beyond

July 2, 2020

We knew that recovery would take time, hard as that may be, and that this road would be a long one, but as we head into what is traditionally a busy weekend in our region I want to commend you on your patience, tenacity and positivity during these challenging times. Our regional leaders overall have taken a slower phased reopening compared to other cities and states across the country, and while that has felt frustrating at times, it is encouraging to know that this is proving to be the correct approach. Our region’s thoughtful, gradual and mindful approach is allowing us to continue to...

Northern Virginia and DC Updates 6/30

June 30, 2020

As you know Virginia will move into Phase Three tomorrow, July 1st. Phase Three lifts capacity limits for restaurants but still requires 6 feet between seated parties. Click here for Phase Three Guidelines. Below is a quick recap of the guidance, but we encourage you to read the guidance in full as it provides important information. Buffets may be open for self-service, with continuous monitoring by trained staff required at food lines, and serving utensils must be changed hourly during peak meal times. All parties, whether seated together or across multiple tables, must be limited to 250...