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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 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 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:...
July 16, 2020
In DC, we have heard from a number of you that you have received notices from OTR regarding sales and use tax filings, payments, and penalties accrued. OTR is sending these notices to businesses who they believe did not file their returns on time. As a reminder, sales taxes for February and March, normally due March 20 and April 20 respectively, could have been filed without payment on the regular date. You were still required to file on the original date, however the payment was deferred until July 20, 2020 without penalty. Filings and payments for April and beyond were due on their regular...
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-...
July 9, 2020
Heading into the weekend, we want to remind you of important information on FREE testing. If you or anyone you know is in need of a coronavirus test, please refer to the below resources. Your testing location is based on your place of residence not employment. DC, Virginia and Maryland all offer walk up testing sites as well as appointment only locations.
DC Testing Information
Virginia Testing Information
Maryland Testing Information
In DC, in the draw of Tuesday’s 10-hour DC Council Legislative Session over Zoom, we missed communicating one major nugget that we know was a...
July 7, 2020
Attention RAMW members! To offer relief to restaurants, hospitality, entertainment and healthcare facilities, EMR is offering a kitchen equipment services promotion for ice machines and steamers, along with a reduced rate of $99 for any service repair through July 31. Having fully operational equipment and limited-to-no downtime is critical to your mission of operating a successful business. We have your back and we are here to help in any way we can with your commercial kitchen equipment operation needs. Contact your local branch today.
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...
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...
June 23, 2020
It’s a new week and now our entire region is in Phase 2, which means restaurants have the ability to operate with indoor dining at 50% capacity. For those of you who navigated reopening indoors over the past few days, or past week depending on location, we hope you are easing into this gradual return to service. We are here to support you during this time as we know completely reconfiguring your operations is very challenging.
In Virginia, Governor Northam announced Virginia will move into Phase Three on Wednesday, July 1st. At this time, the Governor indicated that all of...
