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.

On-Demand Webinar: Making Energy Work For You

March 13, 2023

Webinar On-Demand: How Energy Choice Can Improve Your Bottom Line Join our partners at Electric Advisors for a quick session to answer your questions about energy choice and how you can benefit from alternative suppliers. • Learn how you can take advantage of DC tax codes to further reduce your monthly energy costs. • Pepco DC rates are changing June 1st, now is the time to learn about alternatives, before the expected price increase takes effect. • Let us show you how we find our clients competitive pricing that could potentially save them thousands! Click here to watch the on...

LEDC Restaurant Expansion Loan - ZERO INTEREST loans for DC restaurant job creation!

February 27, 2023

LEDC is a CDFI (Community Development Finance Institution) which helps entrepreneurs and small business through lending and technical assistance. Ideal for established DC-based restaurants in the process of opening an additional location. The expansion must result in significant job creation, intended for low-income individuals, with certain benefits expected. Loan amounts up to $100,000 Terms up to 5 years One-time closing fee of 3% $50 application (plus $20 per co-owner) Fixed-rate 0% interest LIMITED FUNDING AVAILABLE Made possible by a grant from the Community Economic Development program...

MarginEdge lands $45M to Give Restaurants Real-Time Spend Data

January 9, 2023

MarginEdge, an Arlington based restaurant management and bill payment platform, has raised $45m in Series C funding , bringing its total funding to $71m. The round was led by Ten Coves Capital, with participation from Fiserv, Derive Ventures and all of the company's previous investors. MarginEdge provides invoice processing, inventory management, recipe analysis, budgeting, performance tracking and supplier bill payment capabilities. Its technology is designed to help restaurants monitor costs in real time, process invoices and manage inventory. MarginEdge has been proud to support DC-...

Mayor Bowser Opens New Round of Bridge Fund Grants to Support Small Businesses

November 15, 2022

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) announced a new $8 million round of the Bridge Fund grant program that will provide financial support to businesses and sole proprietors in the restaurant, entertainment, and retail sectors. “Our restaurant, entertainment, and retail industries are critical to our comeback,” said Mayor Bowser. “When we have great places for people to dine out, and shop, and visit, that not only improves the quality of life for our residents, it draws more...

Qwick's New Look

November 15, 2022

Hospitality industry staffing leader, Qwick, introduced its new brand this week. Read about the change and how hospitality is at the heart of it all.

A Q&A on Wage & Hour Collective and Class Actions for Restaurant Owners

October 27, 2022

While the thought of being sued by a single worker for unpaid wages is enough to give most restaurant owner’s heartburn, the implications of being sued by a large group or class of workers can be a real life nightmare. Wage and hour collective and class action lawsuits against restaurants are a prime target for plaintiffs’ attorneys. Below is a Q&A regarding class and collective actions, with several preventive steps a restaurant or restaurant chain can take to greatly reduce its legal exposure.

Nourish DC Year 2 Grant Launch

October 25, 2022

Come celebrate the launch of year 2 of Nourish DC and the opening of a new round of funding. About the Grant: Nourish DC grants support Washington, DC businesses increasing access to healthy food and creating quality jobs. Your business could receive between $10,000 and $50,000 in grant funding to support food access for communities across the District. Grant uses include: New product development, technology, equipment, real estate acquisition, construction, tenant improvements, cold storage, marketing, and more. Eligible business location: Food business must be physically located in DC with...

Vigilance Encouraged when Filing ERTC Claims - IRS Advisory

October 19, 2022

Shared content from the National Restaurant Association The IRS is warning small businesses about “improper” claims for the employee retention tax credit (ERTC). As you know, restaurants were uniquely qualified for the Covid-related ERTC due to partial closure orders and/or revenue declines in 2020 and three calendar quarters of 2021. However, the IRS is reporting that some third-party companies are offering bad advice to small businesses regarding eligibility or the estimated value of the ERTC. We urge members to closely review the below information, our FAQ , and a recent...

Extended Hours for 2022 FIFA World Cup

October 18, 2022

Eligible licensees may operate 24-hours and sell and serve alcohol between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. during the 2022 FIFA World Cup taking place November 20-December 18, 2022. To participate, licensees must register and pay a non-refundable $100 fee by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 17. If approved, licensees will be issued a permit that must be posted next to their alcohol license inside the premises. Note the following: Eligible licensees include On-Premises Retailers, Manufacturers with an On-Site Sales and Consumption Permit, and Temporary License holders. Extended hours start the evening...

DC Harassment Training Requirement - Updates and Details

October 12, 2022

DC Operators are likely hearing more and more about the requirement that DC restaurant operators with at least one tipped employee provide harassment prevention training every two years to all employees. This requirement is a part of the Tipped Workers Fairness Amendment Act, which, if you recall, was passed in 2018 as part of the repeal of Initiative 77. There has been a long pause in implementation, largely due to Covid, but now the DC Office of Human Rights (OHR) and the Department of Employment Services (DOES) are certifying trainers and putting the mechanisms in place for businesses to...