You are here
all and Washington DC
May 17, 2023
For Immediate Release
Contact: John Rorapaugh/Alyssa Bonk
E-mail: johnr@leadingdc.com Tel: (202) 309-1926
E-mail: alyssa@leadingdc.com Tel: (571) 232-6804
FoodJobsDC.com Official Launch
Created for the Industry by the Industry
Restaurant...
May 8, 2023
Serving Responsibly
Why Strengthening Liquor Liability Law is Good Business
Register Here
Are you a District restaurant, bar, or venue operator concerned about the cost of liquor liability insurance and threat of lawsuits?
Join this Operator Town Hall to learn how strengthening dram shop laws help to promote responsible serving practices and reduce alcohol-related harms in communities – all while lowering insurance costs.
The Problem: Unlike most states, District law is vague about how or when a business can be held liable for the actions of an...
April 26, 2023
Renowned chef and restaurateur to be honored with esteemed industry award at reception this June.
Washington, DC (April 26, 2023)—Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) today announced chef and restaurateur Ris Lacoste as the 2023 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award recipient. One of the most respected and dedicated chefs in the region, Lacoste has earned a reputation built on genuine hospitality, mentoring the next generation of industry workers, and a true love for her team members and the guests she serves. Diners adore her use of high-quality ingredients,...
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...
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...
March 15, 2023
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., March 14, 2023— National Harbor kicks off a huge cherry blossom celebration this year on March 20. Included in the festivities is a face off of National Harbor’s top bartenders/mixologists. The CocktailPro Competition takes place on Friday, March 24, National Cocktail Day from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Sunset Room at National Harbor (137 National Plaza, #200).
Ten bartenders/mixologists will compete to showcase their most noteworthy and creative drinks using Pratt Standard cocktail mixes. Attendees will then vote on who has the best...
March 14, 2023
Join the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's (RAMW) energetic roundtable discussion and hands-on seminar to help you develop your on-air presence and prepare you for live and recorded television segments, social media streams, influencer videos, and more. This informative session will give you actionable tips, tricks, and techniques to make your on-air presence engaging, fun, and informative so that you showcase the best of yourself, your restaurant, and your brand.
Panelists:
Eun Yang, Emmy Winner & Anchor of News4 Today, the #1 rated morning news in...
March 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Avery Meetre, LRA PR
avery@lindarothpr.com
202-369-4954
Spring Wine Fling Returns on the Spring Equinox at Locations Throughout the Metropolitan Region
Experience the area’s vibrant wine programs from March 20 through March 31
Washington, DC (February 27, 2023)—Spring Wine Fling, presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), returns from Monday, March 20, through Sunday, March 31. Enjoy specialty two-course dinners with perfectly paired wines at restaurants...
February 27, 2023
LEDC is a CDFI (Community Development Finance Institution) which helps entrepreneurs and small business through lending and technical assistance.
Ideal for established DC-based restaurants in the process of opening an additional location. The expansion must result in significant job creation, intended for low-income individuals, with certain benefits expected.
Loan amounts up to $100,000
Terms up to 5 years
One-time closing fee of 3%
$50 application (plus $20 per co-owner)
Fixed-rate 0% interest
LIMITED FUNDING AVAILABLE
Made possible by a grant from the Community...
February 22, 2023
Bus Will Embark on Four-Day, Five-City Tour in Celebration of DC’s Cherry Blossom Season
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development announced the Cherry Blossom Bus Tour, which will take place from February 26 through March 1. A 45-foot coach bus displaying the National Cherry Blossom Festival theme of pink blossoms and the tag line “Follow Us To Spring!” will embark on a four-day, five-city bus tour starting in Boston, followed by New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and ending...
February 17, 2023 to March 10, 2023
Spring is in the air! As we look forward to the change in seasons and planning for spring activities, we invite you to be part of our 2023 Spring Wine Fling, the promotion that helps turn the winter blues into reds, whites, and rosés!
We've re-tooled the promotion to draw diners to your restaurants - kicking off on the Spring Equinox - for an awesome dining experience that is complimented by wine that you'd like to feature.
This year's promotion is Two Glasses, Two Courses, One Price! Participating restaurants will offer a two-course dinner menu, at...
February 8, 2023
Nominations now open for the capital region’s premier foodservice industry awards
Washington, DC (January 30, 2023)—Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced today that the 41st Annual RAMMY Awards will return to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in partnership with Events DC, on Sunday, July 9, 2023. The awards return to honor excellence in long standing categories that range from individual professional honors to accolades celebrating culinary concepts and service.
Over the past few years, categories and eligibility criteria have been altered...
January 12, 2023
Care Excellence
Here's how to identify signs of seasonal affective disorder
Shorter days this time of year may cause the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder in some. Andrew Davis, MD, a psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente, discusses its symptoms, including oversleeping, lower energy, mood changes, and feeling more depressed.
How Skin Care For Men Is Changing
Over the last 20 years, skin care has become more mainstream for men. Tola Oyesanya, MD, a dermatologist, joined WTOP to share some simple products men can use on their skin that...
December 16, 2022
In The Community
Adolescents Are Ditching Alcohol for Cannabis at a High Rate
New research shows that alcohol abuse among adolescents is diminishing while cannabis misuse is on the rise. Joseph Tasosa, MD, a psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist at Kaiser Permanente, joined Healthline to discuss the harmful effects of cannabis on the adolescent brain, including psychosis and anxiety attacks.
World AIDS Day Reminds Experts of Progress in Fighting HIV/AIDS
Despite the tremendous advances made in treating HIV and AIDS, there is more work that can be done. ...
December 15, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: media@ramw.org
Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Names Shawn Townsend President & Chief Executive Officer
Washington, DC (December 9, 2022) – Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), the trade association representing restaurants and the foodservice industry in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, announced today the appointment of its new President & CEO, Shawn Townsend, effective mid-January. Established in 1920, RAMW advocates for and promotes the vitality of the capital region’s hospitality industry and,...
December 9, 2022
Sustainability is about balancing the environmental, economic, and social needs of the District of Columbia today as well as the needs of the next generation, and the one after that.” - Mayor Bowser
The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) would like to invite you to apply for the 2023 District Sustainability Awards.
The application period opens on January 2nd for the 2023 District Sustainability Awards. The application period closes on February 10, 2023.
Click here to apply.
About the District's Sustainability Awards
The District Sustainability...
November 15, 2022
(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) announced a new $8 million round of the Bridge Fund grant program that will provide financial support to businesses and sole proprietors in the restaurant, entertainment, and retail sectors.
“Our restaurant, entertainment, and retail industries are critical to our comeback,” said Mayor Bowser. “When we have great places for people to dine out, and shop, and visit, that not...
November 15, 2022
Our Mission
In 2017, Qwick was founded to revolutionize how hospitality works. We knew that the industry needed more freedom and flexibility in its staffing operations for businesses to be successful and hospitality professionals to have greater autonomy in their work. Since day one we’ve been driven by the opportunity to serve those who serve us and create prosperity in the industry that we love.
Five years later, we’re more driven by this mission and inspired by the hospitality community than ever. We’ve successfully matched over 600,000 hospitality shifts...
October 27, 2022
Four Things Every Restaurant Owner Should know about Wage & Hour Collective and Class Actions
By: Scott A. Mirsky
Practice Area: Employment Law
Paley Rothman’s Employment Law Group has extensive experience with wage and hour compliance issues and can assist restaurants and restaurant chains with both preventive measures and defending against single-plaintiff and collective or class action wage and hour lawsuits.
----
While the thought of being sued by a single worker for unpaid wages is enough to give most restaurant owner’s heartburn, the...
October 25, 2022
Come celebrate the launch of year 2 of Nourish DC and the opening of a new round of funding.
About the Grant:
Nourish DC grants support Washington, DC businesses increasing access to healthy food and creating quality jobs. Your business could receive between $10,000 and $50,000 in grant funding to support food access for communities across the District.
Grant uses include: New product development, technology, equipment, real estate acquisition, construction, tenant improvements, cold storage, marketing, and more.
Eligible business location: Food business...
October 19, 2022
Shared content from the National Restaurant Association
The IRS is warning small businesses about “improper” claims for the employee retention tax credit (ERTC). As you know, restaurants were uniquely qualified for the Covid-related ERTC due to partial closure orders and/or revenue declines in 2020 and three calendar quarters of 2021. However, the IRS is reporting that some third-party companies are offering bad advice to small businesses regarding eligibility or the estimated value of the ERTC.
We urge members to closely review the below information, our...
October 18, 2022
Eligible licensees may operate 24-hours and sell and serve alcohol between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. during the 2022 FIFA World Cup taking place November 20-December 18, 2022.
To participate, licensees must register and pay a non-refundable $100 fee by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 17.
If approved, licensees will be issued a permit that must be posted next to their alcohol license inside the premises.
Note the following:
Eligible licensees include On-Premises Retailers, Manufacturers with an On-Site Sales and Consumption Permit, and...
October 17, 2022
DC Cocktail Week 2022 Registration Now Open!
DC Cocktail Week, returning Monday, November 28 through Sunday, December 4, 2022, celebrates cocktail culture across the Metropolitan region featuring tasty cocktails paired with delicious bites for one price. We invite you to be part of this spirited promotion highlighting your cocktail program, and you can opt-in to spotlight your restaurant through a unique experience or custom event to engage diners and fuel their cocktail and mocktail interests through your exclusive cocktail culture experience.
All participating...
October 12, 2022
Did you know that restaurant and hotel workers are ranked number one among the top ten most addiction-prone careers? More than 19% of employees reported illicit drug use or alcohol abuse within the past 30 days, according to The Arbor Behavioral Healthcare.
National Capital Treatment & Recovery is a nonprofit behavioral health care organization specializing in the treatment and prevention of substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, serving adults in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. region since 1962. Our staff is available to educate, inform and support businesses by...
October 12, 2022
DC Operators are likely hearing more and more about the requirement that DC restaurant operators with at least one tipped employee provide harassment prevention training every two years to all employees. This requirement is a part of the Tipped Workers Fairness Amendment Act, which, if you recall, was passed in 2018 as part of the repeal of Initiative 77.
There has been a long pause in implementation, largely due to Covid, but now the DC Office of Human Rights (OHR) and the Department of Employment Services (DOES) are certifying trainers and putting the mechanisms in place for...
