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.

The OpenTable Marketing Engine: How Diners Find Your Restaurant

April 3, 2018

OpenTable / Scott Jampol / April 3, 2018 Running a restaurant is, without a doubt, one of the most challenging, passion-driven things you can do—and then there’s marketing one. Keeping your business thriving, and serving up hospitality to each and every guest, night after night, is an enormous undertaking, so the unfortunate reality is that many restaurateurs don’t have the time or resources to market their restaurants effectively. Many restaurateurs also believe that diners begin their search with their restaurant in mind (having heard about it from a friend or family...

Largest Circa to Date Debuts in Chinatown

February 19, 2018

There’s two bars, scenic views, and Asian-themed dishes by Rebecca Gale Feb 19, 2018, 4:20pm EST | Eater DC The new two-story Circa scheduled to debut on Wednesday, February 21 in Chinatown is the homegrown chain’s biggest location to date. Parent company Metropolitan Hospitality Group shut down the flagship Circa in Dupont Circle at the end of last year, but continues to operate the remaining casually themed bistros in Foggy Bottom and Clarendon, Virginia. The Chinatown restaurant (781 Seventh Street NW) is one of at least two planned new additions to the Circa family; a Navy...Read more

Meet Our New Energy Partner and Start Saving Money Today

August 18, 2022

Dear RAMW Members, We know that your bottom line is always top of mind as you also work hard to support your teams and give guests the best experience you can in a competitive market. Did you know that you could be saving money every month on your electric and natural gas?| RAMW has several key providers who support our industry, and we are excited to introduce you to our new Endorsed Provider, Electric Advisors, Inc. EA is an energy broker who will help you get your natural gas and electricity supply at a competitive rate. Shopping for a competitive energy supplier is a sure fire way to take...Read more

Why Workforce Health Matters from our Friends at Kaiser Permanente

February 8, 2022

You have an opportunity to improve the health of your employees every day. Making small changes to your workplace and company policies are great ways to start and can have a big impact. Not sure how to get started with a workforce health strategy? Check out our four-step model --- The restaurant business is rewarding but tough. Operators need a health care plan that works as hard as they do. That’s why RAMW has partnered with USI Insurance Services and Kaiser Permanente to develop a plan that is flexible, convenient, and affordable, to help operators with their bottom lines, and their...

Make the ServSafe Dining Commitment

October 21, 2021

Restaurants have always made food safety a priority, but the pandemic has altered customers’ awareness and sharpened expectations about what safe dining entails. Make your commitment a very prominent part of your marketing message by joining the ServSafe Dining Commitment. When customers see the SSDC logo on a restaurant website, menu, or door, that restaurant communicates that its staff is professionally trained in safe food handling and that the establishment is committed to following the best procedures for safe dining going forward. Make the commitment ...

National Food Safety Month Week 4: Cleaning & Sanitizing Your Operations

September 21, 2021

Training your crew to execute a solid cleaning job amid the fast action of a foodservice is what separates the good from the great. National Food Safety Month tips this week identify what should be cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected and how to make those efforts visible to guests when possible. Two items that might not currently be in your training routine: How to treat non-food surfaces and what to do if a guest gets sick. Read the full post at Food Safety Focus and get a free poster and activity sheet that makes setting up cleaning schedules easy. Enjoy a 20% discount on ServSafe products...

Budget Support Act/Rent Relief for Our Industry

August 4, 2021

As a direct result of our advocacy, we are thrilled to share that included in the Budget Support Act is a grant program which was conceived and advocated for by RAMW over the past year. The grant program is funded with $40 million dollars and would be available to a small business operating a restaurant, tavern, nightclub, entertainment venue, or retail establishment on leased property with revenues of less than $5 million dollars in 2020. The program will pay up to one-third of rent arrearage accruing during the period of April 1, 2020 to March 30, 2021, provided the landlord abates and the...

Video: Working With Your Food Distributor In Times Of Change

May 26, 2021

For many years, a restaurant's relationship with their food distributor has been primarily a transactional nature. Finding the best products at the best prices has been the norm which has led to a relationship of "I need you, but am I willing to partner with you to grow my business?" One strategy many restaurants used over the past year to remain viable in the marketplace was to partner with their food distributor. The video below features Tom Enright from FoodPRO , an RAMW Industry Partner, who speaks about how your food distributor can help you reach a new level of success...

Changing Strategies for Changing Times Education Series

April 28, 2021

RAMW has joined with FoodPro and CORE Restaurant Marketing to share with you a new restaurant education initiative, “Changing Strategies for Changing Times.” This educational series will be available free for all RAMW members and will cover important topics that will help you increase your sales and lower your food costs. Beginning in May, “Changing Strategies for Changing Times” will be available on the RAMW website and will be shared with members. The series will include monthly installments of videos, best practices from industry experts, and surveys on topics of...

DC Health Link Can Help You Get Insured & Stay Insured

February 1, 2021

DC Health Link Assisters are working with small businesses to support their DC resident employees who are losing or have lost their health insurance to help them enroll in a DC Health Link individual health plan, or apply for Medicaid, so they remain covered during this public health crisis. RAMW can assist you in providing information to your staff by proactively engaging with DC Health Link to reach out to your staff members to discuss their coverage options. DC Health Link has options for employers and individuals who are looking for affordable coverage. If you are interested in talking...