Operations

Operating a restaurant involves a lot of moving parts – most controlled by you, but many controlled by laws, regulations, licenses and permits. Alcoholic beverages, food safety, labor practices and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (the healthcare mandate) are significant – and then there is everything else.

Get to know the regulatory agencies that govern such things as sidewalk cafes, signage, noise, fire safety and more. And, get to know about the efforts being made by RAMW on your behalf to improve the regulatory environment.

Updates on Reopening the DC Area 4/30

April 30, 2020

Everyone is talking about the who, what, where, when, and how of reopening. This is a positive shift as it means we are headed back to some semblance of normalcy, albeit with restrictions we must all abide by in order to do business in this region. As we approach the end of April, and seven weeks since you all had to drastically change your operations, we want to give you some insight on the regional approach, process, and next steps. As you know, the region’s leaders in DC, VA, and MD are coordinating efforts to ensure they are all moving forward on the same page. We are working...

Want to Sell Groceries from Your Restaurant? We’ve Got Tips

April 24, 2020

Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association From commodities to cleaning supplies, restaurants add grocery staples to the menu. Here are a few recommendations. With coronavirus battering the restaurant business, operators are turning to groceries to help increase sales. They need it: National Restaurant Association research conducted this month reports that 97% of restaurant operators say their total dollar sales volume was lower than it was during the same period in 2019 and those sales, on average, were down 78%. Consumers sometimes have to wait a week or more for grocery...

OpenTable COVID-19 Initiatives & Updates

April 23, 2020

The restaurant industry is being hit hard by COVID-19 with millions of hospitality workers out of work. OpenTable is committed to supporting the restaurant community and they recognize the road to recovery will be long and difficult. That’s why they’re excited to announce two new initiatives to help restaurants successfully reopen their businesses. First, an enhanced restaurant management platform OpenTable’s software has always enabled restaurants to connect with diners to manage reservations, prepare for shifts, and maximize table availability. During the crisis, they have...

FoodPRO Operator Insights for Navigating this New Era in Dining Out

April 29, 2020

We have put together the following insights in hopes it will help our Independent Restaurant customers think about and develop new ways to adapt to our new era. It will be important to remember that things are not the same going forward so hopefully, these insights will help. Section #1‐ Business 101 It’s not too late, if you have not done so, do it today! Financial Request your PPP/SBA loans or seek other funding options. Talking another $350B added! Leases ‐ Ask your landlord for rent deferral/renegotiations and review equipment leases Seek payment options/deferrals on utilities and...

Reopening Resources for Clean Environments and Safe Guests (Foodservice)

April 28, 2020

Ecolab is dedicated to providing the most relevant resources and expertise to help you keep your staff and guests safe during the unprecedented times today and the new horizon ahead. To support you and your team, we continue to update our comprehensive Ecolab COVID-19 resource libraries , created to support achievement of the highest standards of cleanliness, disinfection and hygiene.

The Ferdinand Metz / American Culinary Federation (ACF) Relief Fund

April 27, 2020

The Ferdinand Metz / American Culinary Federation (ACF) Relief Fund is established to provide timely financial assistance to chefs, cooks, culinarians and foodservice workers across America, experiencing hardship in the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Criteria for Eligibility Applicant must be employed by a foodservice establishment in any segment: restaurant, country club, hospital, etc. Under financial hardship due to being laid off, furloughed or hours reduced. Must provide evidence of lost wages. Affiliation with ACF or ACFEF is not required as a condition of...

Federal & Regional Updates 4/24

April 24, 2020

The House of Representatives voted 4/24 to approve a $484 billion package to deliver aid to small businesses and hospitals and expand COVID-19 testing. An additional $310 billion was authorized for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), while $60 billion will be set aside for smaller lending facilities. There will also be an additional $10 billion for EIDL grants and $50 billion for disaster recovery loans. For those who have not secured funding loans, please reach out to your lenders immediately to be considered for funding. As we have been stating all along, PPP in its current state does...

DC Reopening Markers & VA Updates

April 23, 2020

While Mayor Bowser and Governors Hogan and Northam sent a letter to the Trump administration encouraging the continuation of telework for federal employees, we are also beginning to see regional leaders taking into consideration key indicators needed as we approach a phased-in reopening.

Get Shift Done Initiative Launches for the DMV region

April 23, 2020

Washington Nationals Philanthropies and the Greater Washington Community Foundation today announced a new partnership with Get Shift Done to launch the Get Shift Done DMV initiative which will coordinate, schedule, and pay adversely affected hourly workers in the hospitality industry to work shifts for local food access providers.

PPP Clarifications and Recommendations 4/22

April 23, 2020

We received many questions from you in search of guidance on the Payroll Protection Program (PPP). Our partner, Matt Hetrick of CPA Eats provided some guidance to help answer some of your most pressing questions.