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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.

A Helpful Check List for Closing Your Restaurant

March 18, 2020
A helpful guide for suspending/closing your restaurant under challenging and difficult circumstances Let staff take any food that cannot be frozen/saved. Remove all trash from the building/Cancel Dumpster Pickups. Take pourers off and tightly wrap open bottle tops of liquor in saran. Leave all exhaust fans running - In the unlikely event of a gas leak or pilot goes out during the closing, the fans will help to exhaust any hazardous gas from the building. Turn off any autopayment processes. Cancel any scheduled deliveries. Examples would include: Broadline Distributer Knife sharpening EcoLab...

DC MD & VA | Apply for Small Business Administration Loans Today

March 20, 2020
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 Disaster Loan...

Recap & Update From Industry-Wide Briefing Call with Regional Leaders

March 18, 2020
Dear Operators, We hosted an industry-wide call this morning with regional leaders and we understand there were some technical difficulties. We had hundreds of people on the call, but as other businesses and organizations are needing to do everything by conference call, the platform was overloaded. We apologize for any inconvenience. We are synthesizing the information from the call to share on our website including FAQs and resources shared on that call. This will be available later today on our blog where we are posting all real-time updates and resources. Please share with anyone in the...

Best Practices to Help Ensure Your Business Continuity

March 15, 2020
Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association What should your business do to prepare for a pandemic? Here are 10 steps to take now! Step 1: Maintain a healthy work environment. Ensure adequate air circulation and post tips on how to stop the spread of germs. Promote hand and respiratory hygiene. Ensure wide availability of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (not just in places required by law). Provide sanitizing supplies for frequent cleaning of surfaces and equipment. Remind employees to report any illness to their manager especially if they are sick with fever, coughing and/or...

Mayor Bowser Announces DC Businesses Can Now Apply for SBA Disaster Assistance Loans

March 17, 2020
DC Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) Can Now Apply for Federal Relief Funds (WASHINGTON, DC) – Tuesday, March 17, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the US Small Business Administration (SBA) has accepted the District of Columbia’s declaration for assistance in the form of economic injury disaster loans following the advent of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and DC businesses can start applying now. While the SBA directly administers this loan program, the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), led by Director Kristi Whitfield, will liaise with...

Updates & Clarifications on Relief & Requirements

March 18, 2020
Dear Restaurant Community, As we try to give you up to date information, we ask that you also be patient as we are doing our best to respond to each and every email and also provide you with information that has been subject to change. We received an influx of questions and want to provide some clarification shared in our earlier email. UPDATED INFO Virginia: Governor Northam Mandates 10 or fewer patrons Governor Ralph Northam issued a new statement that changes his recommendation to a mandate, which limits the number of patrons to 10 or less. Restaurants are encouraged to continue to go and...

ABRA GUIDANCE | COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020

March 17, 2020
PLEASE READ THIS IN ITS ENTIRETY. Tuesday, March 17, Mayor Muriel Bowser signed into law the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020. Included is a provision that allows ABC-licensed restaurants and taverns to sell beer, wine, and spirits in closed containers for carry-out and/ or delivery to DC residences in conjunction with the purchase of one or more prepared food items. Before an eligible restaurant or tavern may sell beer, wine, and spirits in closed containers for carry-out and delivery, they must register with ABRA — no exceptions . Registration can be completed in five...

IMPORTANT UPDATES on Employer Relief and Employee Benefits 3/17

March 17, 2020
Dear Restaurant Community, We have a few important updates to share with you based on what was passed by the DC City Council and recommendations from Virginia Governor Ralph Northam Tuesday, March 17, 2020. We are also sharing what is a work in progress and happening on the Federal level. This is a long email, but includes important information, so please read the entire message as most of your questions could be answered with this update. DC Update The DC City Council just voted on Emergency Legislation, which means it goes into effect immediately upon the Mayor's signature. Below is a...

UPDATE DC Bans On Premise Dining Starting 3/16 @10pm

March 16, 2020
BREAKING NEWS DC Mayor Muriel Bowser issued guidelines banning on premise dining at restaurants starting at 10pm tonight and through April 1, 2020 at 6am. Restaurants and bars are still able to offer meals to go through take out, delivery or curbside service. Read the Mayor's order here . Tomorrow, the DC Council is introducing Emergency Legislation that will offer relief for the local industry and its workers. More to come on what this relief package looks like tomorrow. As a reminder, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan banned on premise dining starting at 5pm today. In Maryland, take out,...

URGENT UPDATES on Restaurant Operations

March 16, 2020
A Note from the Desk of RAMW's President & CEO, Kathy E. Hollinger Dear RAMW Members, I am beyond proud of the resilience of our industry. As you are all very aware, everything has been turned upside down, and this is a quickly evolving situation. This does not take away from the fact that we are a community of small businesses that through the years have successfully adapted to changing times. We are impressed with your agility during this current situation, as you put in place rapid changes that are necessary in order to put the public health of your staff, diners, friends and...

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