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September 10, 2020
Update from RY CPA
Follow up to the President’s executive order (EO) to defer the employee portion of social security tax that began on September 1, 2020. The IRS issued guidance on August 28, 2020 that confirmed our reservation about enrolling our clients in this program. Here is what you should know:
You have the option to not withhold and deposit your employee’s share of social security tax from their paychecks between September 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
You are responsible for remitting these taxes to the IRS between January 1, 2021 through April 30, 2021 by...
September 8, 2020
The small business community in DC is the soul of the city. The District relies on you. The DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) is showing love to small businesses with two limited-time offers to help you save money and energy.
Free Energy Audits:
For a limited time, the DCSEU is offering free virtual audits with one of our Energy Consultants. The audit includes: interviews with business staff, a virtual walk-through of the facility, and a report. Sign up to receive a custom report on energy savings opportunities.
Enhanced Incentives:
Need to upgrade lighting, HVAC, or food service...
September 3, 2020
Ecolab, our official training partner, is offering a series of Food Safety Month webinars to inform you of continuing best practices for your restaurants:
Health Inspections: What You Need to Know Now and Then
Health inspections are a key component for verifying your food safety program. Join us to learn more about what to expect at your next onsite or virtual health inspection, how to best prepare for it and how it will strengthen your overall food safety culture. This webinar is part of the Food Safety and Public Health Matters Webinar series and the Restaurants Rise...
September 1, 2020
In recognition of the increasingly popularity of Korean food on the American culinary landscape, the 2020 K-Food Week Video Contest will feature K-Food stories shared online by K-Food enthusiasts. The contestants’ videos will describe their K-Food experience, i.e.: What’s your favorite K-Food? Why? When did you first experience K-Food or visit a K-Food market or eatery? What do you love about K-Food? We want to see how YOU view K-Food and how K-Food has impacted your life.
Video submission opens September 1-26 on the KFoodinUS.com website and by posting on social media with the...
September 1, 2020
The 2020 K-FOOD Cook-Off with K-Seafood will be held at the Hyatt Regency at Tysons Corner Center on Sunday, September 27th, 2020, 3-6pm.
This event is sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the Korean Food Promotion Institute, the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Oceans and Fishery and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. Event partners include the Hyatt Regency at Tysons Corner Center.
The purpose of this contest is to highlight the increasing global popularity of Korean food and show how K-Food enthusiasts are using their...
September 1, 2020
The IRS has issued Notice 2020-65 to provide guidance on President Trump’s memorandum deferring the employee’s portion of Social Security taxes normally withheld from gross wages.
The summary of the guidance is as follows:
The term “Affected Taxpayers” means the employer who is otherwise required to withhold the Social Security tax. This definition is very important later on in the IRS’s guidance.
The term “Applicable Wages” means wages subject to the Social Security tax, where the wages are $4,000 or less...
August 27, 2020
I am excited to inform you that we are now introducing a NO CONTACT ordering and payment service using QR codes for restaurant businesses. The service covers Take Out & Dine In orders, enabling diners to see visual menus, open tabs, and pay, using their phones with no need for any app downloads or user logins. This service helps restaurants deter COVID to keep diners and staff safe and save on their expenses during these tough times. This service is free-of-charge for restaurants as we only charge users a fixed tiny fee ($0.50) per...
August 26, 2020
Program to celebrate resilient industry with Best of RAMMYS dining experience September 11-18
Washington, DC (August 26, 2020)—Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) will
announce the winners of The RAMMY Awards during a virtual, live program on the evening of Sunday,
September 20, from 6pm to 8pm. Broadcast live from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the
two-hour streaming experience will connect the region’s hospitality community with the public in
innovative ways like never before.
For over thirty years, The RAMMY Awards have honored the...
August 25, 2020
It’s a new week and we just kicked off the second week of our Summer Restaurant Week promotion, which is garnering immense enthusiasm among diners and with media across the region. The outpouring of support from both audiences is so encouraging as so many people want to support restaurants in any and all ways they can. We are also sharing further details this week with the RAMMYS finalists and with the media about the live-streaming RAMMYS Virtual Awards Program on 9/20, which is another dynamic way we are encouraging industry, and those who love our industry, to celebrate and support...
August 20, 2020
We know how hard you are all working to welcome and service guests and maintain safety protocols for diners and staff. We continue to hear that mask compliance is an ongoing issue for many operators. We are here to support as you encourage your team members to always put safety first over the wants of an individual customer who may not want to follow the rules. We also know that you want to avoid any operational consequences of having mask violators in your establishment, as a few local jurisdictions in our region impose hefty fines, license suspensions, and even shut downs for...
August 18, 2020
We kicked off this week with cooler temperatures and more to look forward to as we head into the first of two weeks of our Summer Restaurant Week promotion across the region and as diners continue to dine out, take out, dine outdoors and support local businesses. Today, Mayor Bowser dined out to help promote Restaurant Week to media outlets and she is actively pushing out a new Mask Up DC video spot airing on Channel 16 and on social platforms featuring some of our local chef members encouraging diners to mask up for the safety of all.
In DC, we have mentioned that we are working with...
August 18, 2020
The week of August 10, 2020, ABRA issued an emergency rulemaking providing additional relief for restaurants. The Board has greatly extended the time for payment, waived late fees and extended the date by which an operator must decide to pay to maintain the license.
Specifically, the emergency rulemaking does the following:
Suspends the late fee for a licensee's failure to timely remit the second or third year license fee or renewal license fee for certain license categories. This includes both operator ABC licenses and manager licenses.
Greatly extends the length of...
August 13, 2020
We are constantly looking for ways we can expand, rework and reimagine the resources we provide for all of you in our operator community. Food safety is a critical piece of your operations, now and always. To meet your needs during this unique time, we have developed an online review class for those who are seeking to refresh their knowledge before taking the ServSafe Food Safety Manager exam to recertify their license.
The webinar is designed to review the key concepts covered in the certified Food Safety Manager exam and will review purchasing products to serving the customer to how...
August 12, 2020
Restaurant Partnership with BEST Kids
We’d love to work with YOU!
Our current times have caused so many of us to REMIX the way we're doing things just to survive and the restaurant industry has been one of the hardest hit industries in our community. So we're doing what we can to bring support to them through this benefit virtual concert event. We're collaborating with the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and DMV Black Restaurant Week to bring together restaurants to help make this event not only a virtual concert, but an entire experience...
August 11, 2020
It has been 5 months since our world has been turned upside down and operations have had to be reimagined and reworked. While the face of dining looks different right now, your businesses and staff remain at the core of your success. As you continue to gradually bring more staff back to your restaurant, I want to encourage you to use the RAMW Job Board that is a FREE tool to use for RAMW members. We share job opportunities through social media platforms and through the networks that have been created around worker relief during this time. Posting is simple, click here to login and post jobs...
August 10, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting RAMW members especially hard. DC Health Link has created floor decals to remind customers to maintain 6 feet between themselves and others. These decals will be an aid to members reconfiguring business operations to keep patrons safe and healthy, while complying with the Mayor’s orders for social distancing. Up to six (6) FREE decals can be ordered by emailing us at coronavirus@ramw.org. DC Health Link has taken several steps to reduce financial barriers making it easier to enroll in quality, comprehensive health insurance coverage. Remember to...
August 7, 2020
It looks like we have a gorgeous weekend ahead of us, and we are hoping for safe and enjoyable dining across the region. As you utilize, expand and creatively rethink outdoor dining spaces, we are seeing more and more of you take advantage of the programs in place designed to provide expanded and additional outdoor options and space for your business. While some are getting into a good groove for outdoor service, others are just bringing their outdoor dining online, and I want you to know we are already looking towards the cooler months to make sure that any potential...
August 4, 2020
With the start of each new week, we can hardly believe what we all have persevered through, and what has been accomplished on so many fronts to get to the next week, month, and stage of these unexpected times. We are 146 days into this, which no one could have imagined would be the case, and your steadfastness and creativity are what keep this industry going. Numbers across the region are staying steady, and while that is good news, it is important that you continue to remain vigilant, aware, mask up, sanitize, and keep these focused efforts going in your operations, with your teams,...
August 3, 2020
New Identity and Website Complement a Growing Team with Expanded Services
Bethesda, Md. – Potomac Construction, one of the Washington, D.C. region’s leading commercial general contracting firms, has been providing clients with the highest levels of quality construction and guidance for over 15 years. Entering a new decade and the next chapter in the firm’s ongoing legacy, the company has unveiled updated branding and a new website reflecting the high level of service, capabilities, and integrity it is known for.
Building on a strong reputation of construction expertise in...
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...
July 30, 2020
Annual promotion born from crisis in 2001 returns to support current restaurant recovery efforts.
WHAT: Summer Restaurant Week, presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), returns as the region’s biannual celebration of outstanding restaurants that contribute so much to our region. New this year, Restaurant Week has expanded to include a to-go program with a variety of family-style offerings as well as cocktail and wine pairings, available over two full weeks to encourage support of hundreds of restaurants throughout DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia...
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...
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...
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...
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:...
