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.

National Restaurant Association Releases 2019 "State of the Restaurant Industry" Report

April 8, 2019

National Restaurant Association // News The report identifies and analyzes the positive impacts and potential challenges coming in both tableservice and limited-service restaurants Find out what significant forces are impacting and shaping the restaurant industry, including the general US economy, workforce demographics, emerging technologies, and food and menu trends. The report analyzes the industry by service segment, customer preferences, and much more to identify the positive impacts and potential challenges coming in both tableservice and limited-service restaurants. It collects and...

DC Brau Hires Steve Carnes for New Head of Sales

March 28, 2019

DC Brewery Reshapes Sales Team with New Members and Shift in Responsibilities Washington, DC — March 2019 — DC Brau is pleased to introduce its new sales team including Stephen Carnes as Head of Sales and Stephen Taylor, Sales Manager for the Maryland and Virginia region. Kayleigh Tanthorey remains as the brewery’s Business Development Manager. “We are thrilled to welcome both Stephens to the DC Brau family,” says CEO & Co-Founder Brandon Skall. “With Steve Carnes’ extensive experience on both the distributor and sales side of the beer business,...Read more

Restaurant platform MarginEdge completes another funding raise

March 21, 2019

By Rebecca Cooper – Senior Staff Reporter, Washington Business Journal Mar 21, 2019, 1:24pm EDT Arlington restaurant software platform MarginEdge Inc. has raised $2.5 million for its next round of growth, including from a venture firm and some familiar names in the D.C. restaurant industry. The second seed round includes investments from Greg Casten of Nick’s, Tony & Joe’s and Ivy City Smokehouse; Geoff Tracy of the Chef Geoff’s Deluxe Hospitality Group; and Tim McLaughlin , founder of Caboose Brewery and GoTab. Other investors included Nigel Morris , co-founder of...Read more

Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) District Sustainability Awards 2019

March 4, 2019

The annual Sustainability Awards recognize outstanding businesses and organizations for their environmental stewardship, innovative best practices, pollution prevention, and resource conservation. If you are considering applying for an award, we recommend that you track the energy consumption, water usage, recycling, and "green projects" for your facility. If you live or work in the District of Columbia, you may nominate your favorite environmental champion, green business, or non-profit partner for a District Sustainability Award. You may choose to nominate an individual, business...Read more

America’s Longest Government Shutdown Punishes DC-area Businesses and Workers

January 16, 2019

Economic shocks are felt throughout the region as the government holds back pay for contractors and nearly 150,000 federal workers. WASHINGTON, DC — The federal government shutdown, now the longest in our nation’s history, is putting unsustainable financial strain on contractors and the households of nearly 150,000 federal workers in the region, as well as the local businesses that serve them. In response, the following 22 business organizations strongly urge the President and congressional leaders to reopen the federal government as soon as possible: Apartment and Office Building...Read more

Depreciation on Buildout Improvements Still Unclear as Tax Filing Season Approaches

January 16, 2019

As filing season for 2018’s taxes nears, one area of the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that remains unsolved is how depreciation on qualified improvement property will be treated. When conducting a major buildout or refurbishment project, business owners are generally offered major tax depreciation incentives. However, these incentives could be at risk for tax year 2018, unless a technical correction to the new law is issued. Under the TCJA, fixed assets placed into service after September 27, 2017 are now eligible for 100 percent bonus depreciation, as compared to 50 percent bonus...

With the Government Shut, D.C. Restaurants Offer Deals

January 2, 2019

Restaurant Business Online // by Peter Romeo The bargains are aimed at patrons whose incomes have been disrupted by the federal closure. Elected officials can’t agree on a plan to reopen the federal government, but rank-and-file employees of Uncle Sam are finding deals aplenty in the restaurants of Washington, D.C. Establishments ranging from fast-food joints to the fine-dining outlets of chef Jose Andres are extending freebies and deep discounts to government employees whose incomes have been disrupted by the federal shutdown. In most instances, the deals are available to anyone with...

Craft Beer Makers Brewed Up Bigger Business in 2018

December 31, 2018

SmartBrief // Food & Travel - Restaurant & Foodservice // by Janet Forgrieve Many Americans will toast the arrival of 2019 with champagne or sparkling wine, but before midnight the glasses of partiers and restaurant patrons are more likely to be filled with hops- and barley-based brews. Craft beer sales were on track to rise 5% this year, hitting a new record, and the number of craft breweries was set to grow 20% to more than 7,000, according to the Boulder, Colo.-based Brewers Association . Craft brewers are defined as small and independent, producing less than 6 million barrels...

Need Info On Straws and Packaging Mandates? We’ve Got Answers

December 14, 2018

National Restaurant Association // News & Research Nutrition legislation and packaging mandates appear to be the entrees du jour for 2019. As restaurateurs find themselves wondering what to do next to navigate these issues and their related challenges, the National Restaurant Association will offer education and advice during a Dec. 19 webinar, “ What’s new in environmental and nutrition policy ”. Laura Abshire, our food and sustainability policy director, will provide an update on the issues. They include: The latest information on the anti-plastic movement , part of...

A Step-By-Step Guide to Adding Delivery

December 4, 2018

If done properly, delivery can pay off big for a restaurant. In order to capitalize on this new revenue stream, restaurants should have a well thought out delivery strategy. In a world where consumers are increasingly turning to an on-demand lifestyle, restaurants are seeing a rise in demand for food delivery. Strategy firm Pentallect published a 2018 study that found the third-party delivery industry is slated to grow 13.5 percent annually, compared to the predicted 3 percent growth rate for the restaurant industry overall. The growth in demand for delivery will also bring an increase of...