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October 22, 2024
With just 15 days until Election Day, RAMW hosted a virtual Election Preparedness discussion earlier this month with the DC Police Foundation and the Metropolitan Police Department. The webinar, Navigating Election Season: A Restaurant’s Guide to Preparedness and Public Demonstrations, provided valuable insights on safeguarding your business during public demonstrations. If you missed it, use passcode .+bggc4a to check out the recording for essential tips.
Get expert advice on how to protect your business during public demonstrations. Why It Matters: With election season around...
October 21, 2024
When cyberattacks like data breaches and hacks occur, they can result in devastating damage. Businesses have to deal with business disruptions, lost revenue, and litigation.
No organization is immune to the impact of cybercrime. As a result, cyber liability insurance has become an essential component to any risk management program. Cyber liability insurance policies are tailored to meet your company’s specific needs and can offer a number of important benefits, including the following:
Data breach coverage—In the event of a breach, organizations are required by law to...
September 4, 2024
Attention DC-Based Restaurant Owners: Order your FREE OVERDOSE AWARENESS & PREVENTION TOOLKIT today!
Naloxone, also known as Narcan®, is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
The Department of Behavioral Health has partnered with the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington to make naloxone and educational materials in English and Spanish available at no cost to restaurants across the District of Columbia.
This service is ONLY available to establishments in the District of Columbia – we cannot mail to...
April 10, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Keiristin Wilbert
Keiristin@ramw.org
202-331-5990
Nationals Legend Ryan Zimmerman Talks Restaurants, Winning Teams at RAMW Annual Meeting
Washington, DC (April 3, 2024) — Ryan Zimmerman, an investor in Long Shot Hospitality and a key member of the 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals, will be the featured speaker at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW).
“Mr. National excelled both on the field, as part of a championship team, and off the field, as part of a leading...
March 5, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Keiristin Wilbert
Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington
Keiristin@ramw.org
Media@ramw.org
202-331-5990
STATEMENT FROM RAMW PRESIDENT AND CEO SHAWN TOWNSEND FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION AND DRAM SHOP CLARIFICATION AMENDMENT ACT OF 2023
Washington, DC (March 5, 2024) - This bill represents a pivotal opportunity for bolstering an industry that continues to face the lingering effects of the pandemic, marked by inflation, a decrease in downtown patronage, and safety concerns.
Today’s legislation reduces...
January 29, 2024
Dear RAMW Community,
We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our journey towards better support and protection for the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and its members. It is with great pleasure that we introduce our new insurance partner, Preferred Insurance Services, Inc.
At RAMW, we are committed to advancing our mission and serving our community with the utmost dedication. In our continuous effort to enhance the well-being of our members, volunteers, and stakeholders, we have carefully chosen Preferred Insurance Services, Inc. as our...
August 9, 2023
Builds on Effort to Help Restaurants Comply with District’s Consumer Protection Laws, Ensure Consumers Understand Their Rights
Washington, DC – Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today issued a Supplemental Business Advisory on restaurants’ legal obligation to adequately disclose all fees – including service fees – to customers.
“District law requires restaurants to disclose any fees in a timely, prominent, and accurate manner," said the attorney general. "Today’s guidance, developed in collaboration with...
July 17, 2023
The rise in operating costs and shortage of restaurant labor has forced restaurant owners to incentivize key employees with performance bonuses and equity by building the ideal restaurant management incentive plan. The ideal incentive or bonus plan should:
Incentivize and reward key employees for increasing profitability and improving the hospitality experience;
Provide an ROI to owners; and
Be simple, self-sustainable, and scalable.
With an effective compensation incentive plan, owners don’t need to be involved in day-to-day operations, and can focus on growing and...
May 23, 2023
A recent study by BMI and NRG (National Research Group) confirms that music positively impacts the way consumers interact with local eating and drinking establishments. According to the findings, bars and restaurants that feature live music have customers who eat, drink and spend more when listening to music they enjoy, resulting in higher revenues for many business owners.
Out of the 1,000 nationally represented U.S. consumers1 surveyed across age demographics 21+, atmosphere and music are a big part of what keeps them returning to the establishments that they...
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 13, 2023
Webinar On-Demand:
How Energy Choice Can Improve Your Bottom Line
Join our partners at Electric Advisors for a quick session to answer your questions about energy choice and how you can benefit from alternative suppliers.
• Learn how you can take advantage of DC tax codes to further reduce your monthly energy costs.
• Pepco DC rates are changing June 1st, now is the time to learn about alternatives, before the expected price increase takes effect.
• Let us show you how we find our clients competitive pricing that could potentially save them thousands!
...
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...
January 9, 2023
MarginEdge, an Arlington based restaurant management and bill payment platform, has raised $45m in Series C funding, bringing its total funding to $71m. The round was led by Ten Coves Capital, with participation from Fiserv, Derive Ventures and all of the company's previous investors.
MarginEdge provides invoice processing, inventory management, recipe analysis, budgeting, performance tracking and supplier bill payment capabilities. Its technology is designed to help restaurants monitor costs in real time, process invoices and manage inventory.
MarginEdge has been proud to...
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.
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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 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...
October 4, 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...
September 28, 2022
President and CEO,
Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW)
The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington is seeking a charismatic, proactive and innovative President and CEO who has the passion and vision to lead the organization into the future. Building on the strength and success of the organization, the individual will navigate the shifting marketplace dynamics while increasing the impact that RAMW has on behalf of its members.
In partnership with the Association and Foundation Boards and staff, the President and CEO is responsible for executing and developing a...
September 26, 2022
The days of tipping in DC are likely numbered, or at a minimum about to seriously change. Initiative 82 will pass into law and fundamentally transform the compensation model for tens of thousands of workers in the restaurant industry. At Harmony we have concerns about whether this initiative will actually lead to better outcomes for hourly workers because the likely transition from a tipped system to a service charge system is rife with opportunities for money to be transferred from hourly workers to management.
We believe strongly in working with businesses that add value to...
