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November 5, 2015
Content provided by Heartland Payment Systems a RAMW Endorsed Provider.
The liability shift deadline has passed. And guess what? The world didn’t come to an end—just like it didn’t when the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2000. But unlike Y2K, EMV is here to stay.
The good news is the sun didn’t set for good on October 1. Maybe you were aware of the liability shift, but decided against the equipment upgrade. You might have had every intention of becoming compatible, but before you knew it, October 1 had come and gone.
Or you could still be trying to...
October 25, 2015
Some content below provided by Heartland Payment Systems a RAMW Endorsed Provider.
The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) third open enrollment is underway and there are even more changes to the law this year. The stakes are higher for everyone involved in 2016.
From new, complicated tax forms to increased penalties for noncompliance, the confusion and sense of urgency mounts for business owners across the U.S.
What is the ACA or “Obamacare”?
Under this law, you may be required to provide your employees with a certain level of insurance coverage, and weeding through the...
October 1, 2015
Cyber Security: Trick or Truth [Infographic]
by Heartland October 1st, 2015
In honor of National Cyber Security Month, we bust the most common myths surrounding EMV, firewalls and more, so you can effectively protect your business from the ghosts and goblins, otherwise known as hackers.
You don’t have to be a target. Learn more about Heartland’s data security solutions.
September 30, 2015
Restaurants and the foodservice industry in the DC Metropolitan region are major drivers of business growth. Restaurants account for nearly 60,000 jobs just in DC and the industry brings in over $2.6 billion in spending to the District. Still, restaurant owners and operators face a delicate battle to maintain a sustainable bottom line and continue to create and maintain jobs.
Learn about how restaurants thrive in our region, about the challenges and economics of owning a foodservice business, and read the stories of the people behind some of our regions best restaurants in the...
September 8, 2015
Washington, DC – Restaurant services vendor HostMe, LLC announced today the complete product launch of HostMe, a modern, customizable front-of-house system that is already revolutionizing the way restaurants do business.
“We’re excited to truly bring restaurant management into the digital era,” said co-founder Evgeny Popov. “Where other vendors have stopped short of full integration, the HostMe app and hardware bundle offers restaurateurs the opportunity to improve front-of-house operations by transitioning the business away from cumbersome pager...
August 14, 2015
The EMV (European MasterCard Visa) migration is rolling full steam ahead in the United States and it’s a tectonic shift of the nation’s payments infrastructure. Banks and card issuers are sending out chip cards to their customers, while retailers are deploying new terminals to support them. Effective October 1, 2015 Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express have mandated liability shifts for fraudulent transactions. Generally, liability will shift to the party using the least secure technology. If you’re like many restaurateurs, you may be having a hard time...
August 14, 2015
National Restaurant Assoication
To EMV or not to EMV? That’s the question many restaurants are asking. Deciding whether to invest in card-processing systems that accept credit and debit cards embedded with microchips – also known as EMV, or chip, cards -- is a hot topic in the restaurant world these days. Here’s why: Starting Oct. 1, 2015, merchants who haven’t invested in EMV-enabled equipment will be liable for fraudulent purchases made with a counterfeit credit or debit card.
If you’re like many restaurateurs, you may be having a hard time...
August 6, 2015
Littler represents hundreds of restaurant clients, including full-service restaurants and restaurant chains, as well as hospitality employers such as hotels and casinos, and agricultural and food-processing companies. Our work with these employers forms a critical foundation of our practice and we have a dedicated practice group serving the needs of restaurant, hospitality and food and beverage clients.
We represent and counsel these clients on the full range of workplace issues, including wage and hour audits and litigation; labor management issues such as union organizing...
July 23, 2015
Yesterday the DC Board of Elections decided that the “Minimum Wage Act of 2016” is proper subject matter for a ballot initiative pursuant to the Initiative Procedures Act. We have been monitoring this issue closely, and worked with the larger business community to craft testimony for the BOEE hearing, which opposed the the initiative.
Under the proposed ballot initiative, the minimum wage would gradually increase to $15 an hour by 2020. The ballot initiative would also increase the tipped minimum wage to $15 an hour by July 1, 2024.
The...
July 8, 2015
After more than a year of deliberation, the Department of Labor released a 295-page proposal to rewrite federal overtime laws. Click here for the DOL proposal.
Among the changes, the DOL has proposed guaranteeing overtime pay to salaried employees who earn less than $50,440 a year ($970 per week). That's up from the current threshold of $23,660. Under the proposal, the salary threshold would be automatically updated in the future based on inflation or wage growth. The agency did not propose a new "duties test" regarding the responsibilities of exempt managerial...
July 8, 2015
On July 1st the minimum wage in DC increased to $10.50 an hour. This increase is based on legislation passed by the DC City Council, which increases the minimum wage over a three step process. July 1st was the second step in the increase process. The third increase will take place July 1, 2016 and will raise the minimum wage to $11.50 an hour.
July 8, 2015
Montgomery County Council Changes Minimum Wage Effective Dates and Freezes Tip Wage at Current $4.00
New Effective Dates
Earlier this year, the Montgomery County Council passed legislation which changes the 2016 and 2017 effective dates for County minimum wage increases. On October 1, 2015, the Montgomery County minimum wage will increase from the current $8.40/hour to $9.55/hour as scheduled. However, subsequent wage increases will become effective in July instead of October in order to align the County with statewide minimum wage effective dates.
Tip Wage...
July 7, 2015
Effective January 1, 2016, it is illegal for District businesses and organizations that serve food or beverages to use containers and other food service products made of expanded polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam™.
Click here for more information.
October 31, 2014
Starting on January 1, 2015 Commercial Loading Zones Will Require a Permit or Meter Payment in DC
To unload/load in a commercial vehicle loading zone you must display a permit or pay-by-cell.
Ways to Pay:
1. Annual or Daily Permit
Allows parking at commercial vehicle loading zones during designated hours for up to two hours, and parking in an available metered space between 10am-2pm.
2. Pay-by-cell
If you choose not to purchase a permit, all loading zones will accept payment through ParkMobile. Follow the instructions on the loading zone signage to pay for the space.
Starting...
October 22, 2014
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe's announcement this week that the state would make up some of its budget deficit by increasing the markup on distilled spirits already has those in the hospitality industry gearing up for paying more — and thus charging more — for drinks.
McAuliffe didn't outline how exactly the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control would raise an additional $2.5 million from the liquor markup, but ABC is considering three options, according to a letter sent to stakeholders Wednesday and provided to the Washington Business Journal.
Though...
October 15, 2014
Are you in compliance with the DC Department of Health 2012 Food Code?
DC Department of Health is now enforcing the 2012 DC Food Code Regulations (click here for code). There are significant changes within the code and it is important you read the new code to make sure your restaurant is in full compliance. Full compliance with the 2012 Food Code is not only crucial to the success of your business, but also to the success of your DOH inspections.
Helpful tips for successfully completing DOH inspections:
1. Make sure you are in full compliance with the 2012 DC...
September 18, 2014 to October 18, 2014
Focus on cleanliness, good hygiene practices
to prep your restaurant for an A+
By Kristin Dempsey
Heading up a restaurant means there is an endless list of things you need to get ready for each and every day. In the hustle and bustle of the daily lunch rush or the late-night crowd, it’s easy to push one of the most important items farther and farther down the “to do” list: Get ready for the next health inspection.
You don’t want to be left scrambling to make sure everything is up to code right before an expected visit – which you can’t predict anyway....
August 28, 2014
DC Health Link's Small Biz mobile app is the premier resource guide for small business owners looking to provide insurance to their employees, work with a broker to enroll in health coverage and determine if their company is eligible to enroll in DC Health Link's small biz health insurance marketplace.
Download Apps
August 21, 2014
The Fair Criminal Record Screening Amendment Act of 2014 (also known as "Ban the Box") restricts when an employer is able to ask an applicant about his criminal history.
The law is currently enforceable, and it is important that you are in full compliance. If your job applications still have a check box asking if the applicant has a criminal history, remove the box immediately.
At no point can an employer inquire about an applicants' arrest history. An employer can only inquire about an applicants' criminal history or run a background...
August 5, 2014
WATCH: Nizam Ali of Ben's Chili Bowl talks about healthcare solutions for restaurants and small businesses. "It's not a business decision, it's just the right decision."
Video Link: Nizam, Ben's Chili Bowl
August 1, 2014
Restaurant professionals agree: Hard work and a smile can carry a restaurateur from hand towels and busing to handshakes and board rooms. Find out how eight industry leaders from Washington, D.C., turned their first jobs into their life’s work.
Read more
July 22, 2014
Pub crawls, the wildly popular events that encourage people to travel from bar to bar for drink specials, will not be banned in Arlington County’s retail corridors as a result of a vote by the County Board to scrutinize them more carefully.
But those who sponsor the events soon will have to start picking up the tab for police and cleanup crews, which some bar owners and promoters say could kill the crawls nonetheless.
County Board members, while loath to discourage the free-spending young adult demographic, voted unanimously Saturday to make organizers of pub crawls pay costs...
June 26, 2014
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – In a ceremony tonight at the residence of H.E. Peter Taksoe-Jensen, the Danish Ambassador to the United States, Mayor Vincent C. Gray honored 10 individuals, businesses, civic organizations, and embassies for demonstrating outstanding achievements and leadership in sustainable practices. Two of these prestigious awards honored RAMW members ProFish, Ltd. and Farmers Restaurant Group.
Mayor Gray – who was joined by Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy, Ambassador Taksoe-Jensen, representatives...
May 12, 2014
Washington, DC (May 12, 2014)—On May 8, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) brought together over 80 leaders from the region’s foodservice and business communities for a conversation about the state of the industry in the nation’s capital. The discussion, moderated by Bret Thorn, Senior Food Editor of Nation’s Restaurant News, offered insights into operator success in an ever more competitive market.
Panelists included 2014 RAMMY Awards nominees for Service Program of the Year including Adam Sanders (General Manager, BLT Steak), Joseph Cerione...
May 12, 2014
Do You Have All The Coverage You Need?
Your restaurant insurance policy includes hundreds of pages of coverages, exclusions and endorsements. Unless you’re an insurance expert, it can be tough to know which ones are most important for your business. With the Restaurant Insurance Package, everyone is aware of their required property, general liability, crime and spoilage coverage. Here are some additional coverages that restaurateurs often overlook:
What Other Types of Insurance Do I Need?
General Liability and Property Insurance typically only cover the basics, but most restaurants...
