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Operations and Maryland

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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association Survey of more than 4,000 operators offers details on how outbreak is hurting sales, operations. As the coronavirus epidemic rages on, 3% of restaurant operators have already permanently closed their restaurants, 44% have temporarily closed their restaurants, and 11% say they anticipate they will permanently close within the next 30 days, according to new research from the National Restaurant Association. A new Association survey of 4,000 operators found that 44% have temporarily closed their restaurants, and 11% say they anticipate...
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) recently announced  service changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.   Effective as of, Wednesday, March 25, WMATA will be fully closing 17 stations and partially closing others to ensure adequate staffing, bringing the total to 19. All service changes made by WMATA are indefinite until otherwise announced. WMATA strongly encourages only essential travel on Metro. WMATA has waived all fares for bus travel and strongly encourages only those with essential travel to use the buses. Station Closures:...
ServSafe is offering their Food Handler course online for free for the next 30 days begining Wednesday, March 25. Additionally, they are offering new COVID-19 Take Out & Delivery courses at no cost.  For 30 years, ServSafe has been at the forefront of preparing restaurant and foodservice workers to deliver safe dining experiences for their guests, while also keeping themselves safe. Every day, we train the restaurant and food service industry on topics like cooking temperatures, safe storage, and cross contamination, as well as hygiene, sanitation, and other risk mitigation...
Restaurant workers are considered essential employees that can be asked to come to work even when there are federal, state, or local, shelter-in-place Orders.  Still, more and more states and localities are restraining travel, particularly during certain hours of the day, while restaurant workers need to arrive earlier than the time restrictions to make bread, brew coffee, etc., and stay past curfew to clean, disinfect, and close the premises. Meanwhile, some restaurant workers are running into issues with law enforcement restricting workers movement to and from work.   The...
Dear Operators, We hope you are all staying strong. Here are updates for Tuesday, March 24, 2020.  Restaurant Rescue Campaign First, as we aim to tell your story and show the impact of COVID-19 on the food service industry, we will join a social media campaign tomorrow called #RESTAURANTRESCUEPLAN. We will document on social media the number of employees who work at restaurants, bars and clubs in the region that have been laid off or furloughed to powerfully present to our government leaders and the public the devastation COVID-19 has had on our industry and why we need a #...
Montgomery County Executive Elrich Supports Governor’s Executive Order to Prevent Further Spread of COVID-19; Pledges to Help Impacted Small Businesses and Residents MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 - Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is announcing his full support of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s order closing all nonessential business, organizations and facilities in the state of Maryland to slow the spread of COVID-19. Elrich said this is the responsible action to take to ensure residents’ safety during this unprecedented pandemic.    “I want to be...
Landover, MD – Keany Produce & Gourmet has donated over $100,000 worth of fresh produce during the COVID-19 lockdown. Since Friday, March 13, 2020 through Friday, March 20, 2020, Keany has donated fresh produce to various food banks, food halls, and charities to support their efforts of supplying community members with access to fresh food. Keany has deployed their own fleet of trucks to distribute these donations across the DC-metro region. “While the effects of COVID-19 are certainly impacting our business, we want to do everything we can to support our surrounding...
MARYLAND: An executive order has been enacted by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, which closes all non-essential businesses, organizations, and facilities in Maryland effective today (Monday, March 23, 2020) at 5:00pm. Restaurants providing take out and delivery are considered essential businesses. This is NOT a shelter-in-place directive at this point. RESOURCES Maryland's Guidance on Essential/Nonessential Businesses (PDF) Order of the Governor of the State of Maryland, Number 20-03-23-01, dated March 23, 2020, Amending and Restating the Order of March 19, 2020,...
Montgomery County Department of Transportation Updates Parking Restriction Status During the COVID-19 Health Crisis Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will continue to enforce most parking rules and regulations during the COVID-19 health crisis, with some exceptions. Residents should follow normal legal practices when parking. Restricted area parking violations, disabled parking violations and safety-related violations will be strictly enforced to prioritize public safety. One modification is parking meter enforcement that has been relaxed in areas where...
So far, Congress has received more than 170,000 calls and emails urging relief for restaurants ASAP! And, there's still time to take action! If you have not taken action yet, we need your help to ensure relief for restaurants and our employees is properly addressed in the current legislative package! CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION Economic forecasts indicate restaurants and the foodservice industry could sustain $225 billion in losses and eliminate 5-7 million jobs over the next three months. By taking action, you can tell your personalized story about how this has negatively...
Dear RAMW Community,   As promised here is some end of day news as we head into the weekend.   As a reminder please visit https://www.ramw.org/blog for up to date information on all things COVID-19. We have recently posted a helpful FAQ section that answers the most frequently asked questions we have received and that will likely help you.   DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced this afternoon that restaurants will be closed for on-premise service until April 27th. She is advising people to stay indoors, but has NOT issued a shelter in place mandate. Take-out and delivery...
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association Comprehensive guide, updated daily, houses all state ordinances in one place so operators can quickly understand how to comply with the rules and share resources. As restaurants deal with a patchwork of mandates directing the way they operate during the coronavirus pandemic, the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe Compliance Team has created a COVID-19 Resources by State document to help operators navigate and comply with the directives and mandates coming in from across the country. The Association is...
Updated – The US Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration. Any such Economic Injury...
As much as we have been sending information around about what is happening locally across the region, it is critically important to be aware of what is happening on the national level, as a majority of funding for relief and stimulus will come at the federal level. The action taken on the Hill impacts us locally, so we must be engaged.  We have two important Congressional updates, and one involves you taking action TODAY. First, we need you to ACT NOW to ensure Congress provides adequate relief to the restaurant and small business industry! This is the "Call to...

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