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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.


Reopening Resources and Regional Updates 5/1

May 1, 2020
Dear Operator, I hope you are all staying steady as we round the next corners of this rollercoaster. As you continue to try to put your arms around PPP, our friends at CPA Eats are working through planning scenarios that may be helpful for all of you as you try to make insightful decisions. Matt Hetrick will be hosting daily Zoom meetings next week on how to best protect your business, whether or not you’ve secured a PPP Loan, as well as thoughts on how to spend the money more efficiently. These sessions will happen all of next week, beginning Monday, May 4. Space is limited so please...

OpenTable Facilitates Reserved-Time Grocery Shopping at Markets & Restaurants During COVID-19

April 30, 2020
As we all work to stop the spread of COVID-19, OpenTable has teamed up with participating grocery stores and markets to help limit the number of people who enter at a time and reduce crowds and wait times for shoppers. Just as people can make a restaurant reservation or join a waitlist, they will now be able to reserve shopping times or join a virtual line in the OpenTable app . It works in two ways: Reserved shopping times: Just like reserving a table at a restaurant, you can reserve a time to enter a store. Online waitlists: If you haven’t pre-reserved, instead of standing in a...

"In It Together" OpenTable Webinar Series

April 29, 2020
OpenTable’s In it Together with Chief Operating Officer Andrea Johnston is a weekly webinar series where she discusses the state of the industry with leaders in hospitality. It’s a place to create community and seek advice during these uncertain times. Email us at inittogether@opentable.com if you have questions or discussion topics that you’d like to see in future webinars. Register here for future webinars in the series! - - - Previous On-Demand Webinars Available: April 29, 2020: Andrea spoke with Dan Simons , co-owner of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group, and his...

Restaurants Feel Financial Toll of COVID-19, but Mental Toll Is Heavy, Too

April 29, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association Learn to recognize coworkers suffering during the pandemic to help restore health and well-being. The coronavirus is taking a toll on more than the nation’s financial health. It’s also affecting the way people maintain good mental health as they deal with increased feelings of anger, depression and anxiety. A recent webinar put the spotlight on the invisible impact the coronavirus has on those struggling to get through it. Celebrity chef and TV personality Andrew Zimmern is one of the industry leaders offering support to those...

Next Steps: Planning for Reopening

April 29, 2020
Original conten c/o: National Restaurant Association Put any extra time you have now to work so you’re set to reopen smoothly. It looks like it’s going to happen — slowly, in fits and starts. Governors and mayors around the country are starting to talk about reopening restaurants for dine-in service, when it can be done, and what it would look like. Restaurants are getting ready to reopen, and things are going to look a bit different. For example, your server may be wearing a face mask when he or she serves you. For sure, life won’t quickly go back to the way it was...

Small Start, Big Execution: Feeding Unemployed Restaurant Employees

April 27, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association The LEE Initiative’s initial act of giving back to laid-off restaurant workers has expanded from one location in Louisville to 19 across the country. Here’s how they did it. Chef Lee's staff members handed out meals and other necessary items as part of the relief effort. The activism, started at a 50-seat boutique restaurant in Louisville, Ky., has sparked a nationwide food relief effort that today is providing 28,000 meals each week to laid-off foodservice workers in 19 cities. The program was launched literally overnight...

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...

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