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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.


Navigating Election Season: A Restaurant’s Guide to Preparedness and Public Demonstrations

October 22, 2024
With just 15 days until Election Day, RAMW hosted a virtual Election Preparedness discussion earlier this month with the DC Police Foundation and the Metropolitan Police Department. The webinar, Navigating Election Season: A Restaurant’s Guide to Preparedness and Public Demonstrations , provided valuable insights on safeguarding your business during public demonstrations. If you missed it, use passcode .+bggc4a to check out the recording for essential tips. Get expert advice on how to protect your business during public demonstrations. Why It Matters: With election season around the...

Protect Your Business from Cyber Attacks: Discover the Benefits of Cyber Liability Insurance

October 21, 2024
When cyberattacks like data breaches and hacks occur, they can result in devastating damage. Businesses have to deal with business disruptions, lost revenue, and litigation. No organization is immune to the impact of cybercrime. As a result, cyber liability insurance has become an essential component to any risk management program. Cyber liability insurance policies are tailored to meet your company’s specific needs and can offer a number of important benefits, including the following: Data breach coverage— In the event of a breach, organizations are required by law to notify...

FREE Overdose Awareness & Prevention Toolkits for DC Restaurants

September 4, 2024
Attention DC-Based Restaurant Owners: Order your FREE OVERDOSE AWARENESS & PREVENTION TOOLKIT today! Naloxone, also known as Narcan®, is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The Department of Behavioral Health has partnered with the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington to make naloxone and educational materials in English and Spanish available at no cost to restaurants across the District of Columbia. This service is ONLY available to establishments in the District of Columbia – we cannot mail to addresses outside of DC. Kits are shipped within 5-7...Read more

Nationals Legend Ryan Zimmerman Talks Restaurants, Winning Teams at RAMW Annual Meeting

April 10, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Keiristin Wilbert Keiristin@ramw.org 202-331-5990 Nationals Legend Ryan Zimmerman Talks Restaurants, Winning Teams at RAMW Annual Meeting Washington, DC (April 3, 2024) — Ryan Zimmerman, an investor in Long Shot Hospitality and a key member of the 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals, will be the featured speaker at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW). “Mr. National excelled both on the field, as part of a championship team, and off the field, as part of a leading regional hospitality...Read more

RAMW STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION AND DRAM SHOP CLARIFICATION AMENDMENT ACT OF 2023

March 5, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Keiristin Wilbert Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Keiristin@ramw.org Media@ramw.org 202-331-5990 STATEMENT FROM RAMW PRESIDENT AND CEO SHAWN TOWNSEND FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION AND DRAM SHOP CLARIFICATION AMENDMENT ACT OF 2023 Washington, DC (March 5, 2024) - This bill represents a pivotal opportunity for bolstering an industry that continues to face the lingering effects of the pandemic, marked by inflation, a decrease in downtown patronage, and safety concerns. Today’s legislation reduces liquor liability insurance...

2023 Member Survey Findings

January 2, 2024
TO: Interested Parties FROM: Che Ruddell-Tabisola Vice President, Government Affairs Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington DATE: Nov. 1, 2023 RE: Struggling Under Declining Traffic and Shrinking Sales, DC Restaurants Call on DC Council to Act Now A year after passage of Initiative 82, significant numbers of DC restaurants are contending with dwindling customer traffic and diminishing revenues, threatening the viability especially of local independent restaurants. “Our neighborhood restaurants are caught between a rock and a hard place,”said Shawn Townsend, President and...

DC AG ISSUES SUPPLEMENTAL BUSINESS ADVISORY ON RESTAURANT FEES

August 9, 2023
Builds on Effort to Help Restaurants Comply with District’s Consumer Protection Laws, Ensure Consumers Understand Their Rights Washington, DC – Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today issued a Supplemental Business Advisory on restaurants’ legal obligation to adequately disclose all fees – including service fees – to customers. “District law requires restaurants to disclose any fees in a timely, prominent, and accurate manner," said the attorney general. "Today’s guidance, developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders, aims to strike...

The Ideal Restaurant Management Incentive Plan in 3 Steps

July 17, 2023
The rise in operating costs and shortage of restaurant labor has forced restaurant owners to incentivize key employees with performance bonuses and equity by building the ideal restaurant management incentive plan. The ideal incentive or bonus plan should: Incentivize and reward key employees for increasing profitability and improving the hospitality experience; Provide an ROI to owners; and Be simple, self-sustainable, and scalable. With an effective compensation incentive plan, owners don’t need to be involved in day-to-day operations, and can focus on growing and scaling their...

Understanding, Calculating, and Reducing Your Restaurant Labor Cost Percentage from The Fork CPA's

April 7, 2023
Calculating your restaurant labor cost percentage is essential to running a successful restaurant. The labor cost percentage is the amount of money you spend on employee wages and benefits as it compares to your total sales. This number is significant because it tells you how much profit you’re making on each dollar that comes through your door. If your labor cost percentage is too high, it means that you’re losing money every time a customer buys food or drinks at your restaurant. This can lead to lower profits and eventually force you out of business if you don’t act fast...

Liquor Liability Town Hall Wednesday

March 23, 2023
Some of the most expensive liquor liability insurance in the country is in the District of Columbia. In some cases, insurance for a neighborhood bar or restaurant costs 100 times more here than in Maryland or Virginia. Deeper Dive: The exorbitant costs make it hard for businesses of all sizes, but it disproportionately affects small, independently owned neighborhood bars and restaurants, and in particular those owned by entrepreneurs of color. Good News: Legislation to reform liquor liability laws has been introduced in DC Council. Tune In: The DC Nightlife Council and RAMW host an operator...

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