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April 2, 2020
Processing for both ServSafe Food Safety Manager and Alcohol Manager print exams has been halted as of March 20 due to the Illinois Shelter-in-Place order (ServSafe’s headquarters state). The Shelter-in-Place order is in effect until April 3 and if lifted, ServSafe will be able to resume grading print exams on April 6. In-person classes at RAMW will resume to our posted schedule at the time the DC Stay-at-Home Order is lifted.
To help keep you and your employees safe, ServSafe is offering the online Food Handler, COVID-19 Takeout and COVID-19 Delivery courses, for free at...
April 2, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
As Covid-19 rages on, telemedicine is a viable treatment option, while access to discounted prescriptions is always a great benefit.
The National Restaurant Association is offering two programs to help members and their employees stay healthy and safe.
Through its new partner, Healthiest You, the Association is making a telemedicine option available to its members. The service is $7/month per employee. There are no co-pays, and all family members can use the service.
The National Restaurant Association is offering members access to...
April 2, 2020
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is looking at establishing a Continuity Loan Fund which would aid small businesses facing economic injury and that are at-risk of closing. While this idea is still taking shape, it could provide capital to existing, viable small businesses and serve as a secondary loan to a SBA loan, or other lines of credit. The goal is to assist small businesses with fewer than fifty employees. This will likely be brought before the Board at the April 14th Board Meeting. We will keep you updated as this develops.
April 2, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
Here’s what you need to do to take advantage of loans available through the coronavirus relief bill.
The coronavirus relief package known as the CARES Act signed into law March 27 by President Trump will make low-cost loans available to you to help get you through the economic hardship caused by the pandemic.
Check with your accountant or tax advisor to see which of the loan programs provides greater benefits and lower risks to your business.
The two loan programs are Small Business Administration’s existing Economic...
April 2, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
As Covid-19 rages on, telemedicine is a viable treatment option, while access to discounted prescriptions is always a great benefit.
The National Restaurant Association is offering two programs to help members and their employees stay healthy and safe.
Through its new partner, Healthiest You, the Association is making a telemedicine option available to its members. The service is $7/month per employee. There are no co-pays, and all family members can use the service.
Those interested in participating in the telemedicine option can...
April 2, 2020
Today we need your input as we continue our local and national advocacy efforts for relief for our industry. We know the relief outlined in the CARES Act does not go far enough to support restaurants, and that implementation is flawed when applied to our unique industry. It is important to note that while drafting Phase III (CARES Act), Congress always knew there would be a Phase IV of relief, so some relief measures and issues were punted to Phase IV. They also neglected to consider how long a business may be disrupted to reflect timelines and look backs that are relevant as it...
April 1, 2020
As we come to the end of the day, we want to share updates from around the region in the form of relief and clarity. But first, we want to acknowledge that we are fully aware that there are some serious flaws in the relief programs outlined by the CARES Act. We are working daily with state partners around the country and our national partners to collect those concerns and create a coordinated ask as we go into phase IV of relief. Our intention is to ensure issues are addressed, corrected and reflected as this package is being refined. In the meantime, we want to offer...
April 1, 2020
Original content c/o: Streetsense
During a time when the majority of the globe’s citizens are staying home, destination marketers find themselves wondering how to forge on with their day-to-day operations sans visitors. Despite near-empty hotels and airports, never have we collectively experienced a greater need for destination marketers to seize their natural leadership potential and gather their community to come together for the benefit of the common good. In the wake of these unprecedented times, we’re sharing three crucial best practices for all destination marketers.
Don...
April 1, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
If you need to close down operations until the coronavirus runs its course, do it safely so you’re ready to open for business when that happy day arrives.
As of April 1, some 270 million people — three fourths of the entire U.S. population — are living their lives under some form of COVID-19 stay-at-home order. That means, among other things, that dining in restaurants has been put on hold.
With millions of people living under some kind of COVID-19 stay-at-home order now, many restaurants are facing the...
March 31, 2020
Dear Operator,
As we close out another busy day, we want to address some questions we have received from all of you and share helpful new guidance on the Federal relief front.
Applying for loans through SBA
We have received NEW GUIDANCE today from the Small Business Administration that you ARE able to apply for both a PPP loan and an EIDL, however they cannot be used for the same purpose. For example, you cannot use an EIDL loan to cover payroll during the same time period your PPP loan covers payroll. The different loan applications should identify...
March 31, 2020
Original content c/o: Streetsense
Both independent restaurants and large corporate chains are facing their own unique challenges in order to emerge from COVID-19 in a strong position. A lot of that depends upon the owners’ future access to capital, as well as the flexibility of their vendors, landlords, and equipment leasing firms. At this point, with so much out of our control, here are a few points that we do have the ability to control:
Access to Capital – Create a Plan on How You Will Come Back Financially
How much capital will you need, and where will it come from? Think...
March 31, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
Starting Thursday, April 2, restaurant employees can apply to receive a check for $500 from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Restaurant Employee Relief Fund.
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation has launched the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund to support U.S. restaurant employees financially impacted by the coronavirus crisis.
Beginning April 2, restaurant employees can apply online to receive a one-time, $500 check to use toward bills, including housing, transportation,...
March 31, 2020
Yesterday was a day of announcements, and while in practice it doesn’t actually change much from the previous guidance, it can be a lot to wrap your head around. As always we want to make sure we are providing you with new and helpful information to assist in your business operations, but also to outline opportunities for relief and how to navigate federal support.
Essential Letters for Restaurant Workers
As a reminder, across the region restaurants offering takeout and delivery are deemed essential as they act as important sources of food. Click here for letters you can share...
March 30, 2020
Dear Operator,
As you likely know already, there were several announcements made today by leaders within the region. The impact to restaurant operations is very minimal, but we want to help clarify and give you tools to support your operations and employees.
We also want to address real-time questions that we are hearing from you, Operators, region-wide.
Real-Time Questions From the Day:
Hiring Employees Back - Earlier today we sent an email about a mechanism for operators to receive some funding via the RAMW Worker Relief Fund to be able to hire back...
March 30, 2020
Dear Operators,
As we start this new week, we know many of you are still navigating your temporary business models and continuing to seek guidance and support during these uncertain times. Many in our industry have proactively launched efforts to support their employees, but we understand it is difficult to decide what the right route for you may be. We wanted to share with you some forthcoming employee relief options.
First, know that RAMW is developing a model in partnership with our friends at Hook Hall Helps to modestly support our operators to position restaurants who...
March 30, 2020
City Suspends Enforcement of Residential Parking Zones, Weekend Meters, Inspection Stickers
To assist vehicle owners who are now working from home, caring for others, or trying to ensure the flow of goods and services, the City has suspended enforcement of the following parking restrictions until further notice:
Time restrictions for the general public in residential parking permit zones. (Signs in these zones include the language "residential permit exempt.")
Weekend time restrictions and meter fees on blocks with pay stations. (Time restrictions and meter fees on...
March 27, 2020
As we all head into the weekend we want to share important information with you about opportunities for relief on the local and national level.
National Relief
As you know, Congress passed the CARES Act and it was signed into law by the President today. The CARES Act offers support for employers and employees during this incredibly tumultuous time, and while there are still some unknowns regarding implementation, timing and overall access, we want to share what we do know as of today.
Our partners at the National Restaurant Association hosted a webinar today to...
March 27, 2020
With the closure of restaurant dining rooms, many Virginia restaurants have switched to takeout and delivery, allowing you to enjoy some of Virginia’s finest fare while also following Governor Northam’s mandates for the COVID-19 state of emergency.
If you are able to participate, you can support Virginia’s restaurants by ordering takeout, delivery, or curbside pickup from your favorite local dining establishments during Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers Takeout Week, happening March 30th-April 5th. Afterwards, share your takeout stories with us on social media with #...
March 27, 2020
NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION AND INDUSTRY ICON GUY FIERI LAUNCH RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE RELIEF FUND RAISING MILLIONS TO SEND CASH GRANTS TO RESTAURANT WORKERS FACING ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) announced today the creation of a Restaurant Employee Relief Fund(RERF) to support U.S. restaurant workers financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and that industry icon Guy Fieri will lead a nationwide fundraising drive for the Fund via a Restaurant Relief America campaign. Fieri is the...
March 27, 2020
Dear RAMW Community, Sponsors, Partners, and Friends,
RAMW was scheduled to announce the 2020 RAMMY Award Finalists this Monday, March 30th to the industry, public, and media. Knowing that we would not be hosting an in-person event on Monday, we explored virtual announcement platforms for Monday to utilize for the announcement to maximize visibility for the finalists, sponsors, and industry. As all of you - operators and business community partners - are dealing with what is right in front of you, we have decided to reschedule the announcement of the finalists until Monday, May 4...
March 26, 2020
We shared a great deal of information earlier today, understanding there is a lot to digest. We are working with partners to get all relevant information to you in a digestible way through various platforms.
What we do know is this: The bill has a lot of relief that will benefit our industry, specifically to include the kind of independent operators in our unique market. We also know that what you care the most about are relief for your employees, relief measures for YOU, and resources that can best guide you through how to get the relief outlined in the...
March 26, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
The goal is to help operators and their employees practice safe food handling and delivery during the coronavirus pandemic.
For 30 years, ServSafe has been at the forefront of preparing restaurant and foodservice employees to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests while also keeping themselves safe. This mission is as important as ever during the service disruptions caused by the coronavirus.
ServSafe is offering free resources to restaurateurs focusing on takeout and delivery during the coronavirus crisis. The goal is to...
March 26, 2020
Late last night, the Senate unanimously passed a $2 trillion Coronavirus rescue package. The legislation is meant to blunt the economic impact of the Coronavirus on the local and national economy. The House will likely vote Friday morning. The package includes :
$349 billion program for the SBA to offer unique loans to small businesses
Tax benefits in the form of net operating loss
Qualified Improvement Property
Creates a Paycheck Protection Program
Employee Retention Tax Credit
Community Development Block Grants
Delay of payment...
March 25, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association
Gift-card sales are a much-needed revenue source during the pandemic disruption. Cards appeal to homebound customers and play a big part in community outreach efforts.
As coronavirus disrupts the US, restaurant owners and operators are looking for alternative ways to create much-needed revenue for their businesses.
One way is promoting the purchase of online and digital gift cards, especially with everyone social distancing.
Rocklands Farm Winery in Poolesville, MD, is using its gift card program to create an extra source of revenue...
March 25, 2020
Dear Operator,
We wanted to share some helpful end of day updates as well as resources and opportunities for education, support and relief. As you have any questions please email coronavirus@ramw.org and we will get back to you with a timely response.
Complimentary ServSafe Training
As the industry faces ongoing challenges with COVID-19, the National Restaurant Association remains dedicated to helping everyone stay safe. ServSafe has been at the forefront of preparing restaurant and foodservice workers to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests, while also...
