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Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week Rules & Standards
Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week Standards
The Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week Rules and Standards have been created in order to assure fairness among all participants involved. If a restaurant does not follow these rules, they will not be invited to participate in future promotions.
To register for Restaurant Week, your restaurant must be a member in good standing of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW). Registrations are accepted only via the RAMW online enrollment portal. If your restaurant is not a current member, please join online here.
Restaurant Week is not just about a discounted lunch or dinner; it is about creating a dining experience, and in doing so, it is imperative that our participating restaurants adhere to the RAMW Restaurant Week promotion standards that reflect excellence in:
- Level of Service
- Diversity of Menu
- Quality of Ingredients
- Overall Experience
Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week Rules
The following are rules for participating in the Restaurant Week promotion:
- Participating restaurants MUST offer, at a minimum, a three-course or equivalent prix-fixe menu. Lunch and Brunch menu price points are $25 and $35; Dinner menu price points are $40, $55, and $65.
- Participating restaurants MUST offer the three-course or equivalent prix-fixe menu for either lunch, dinner or both. Restaurants have the option to offer a Restaurant Week brunch menu that has an equivalent value of a 3-course menu. Weekend brunch cannot be the only service option offered during the course of the promotion.
- Participating restaurants MUST offer the three-course or equivalent prix fixe menu for either lunch, dinner or both during the normal operating hours for the selected service, lunch/dinner, for the entire promotional period of seven days. NOTE: During an extended promotional period, participating restaurants must offer the three-course or equivalent prix fixe menu for the duration of the promotional period - for example a two-week period, requires participation for both weeks during the normal operational hours of the restaurant.
- Participating restaurants MUST provide a PDF version of their designated Restaurant Week menu to be posted on the official Restaurant Week website.
- Participating restaurants MUST complete the post-promotion survey to provide feedback on the promotion.
METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON RESTAURANT WEEK FAQs:
The following frequently asked questions have been compiled to assist you in adhering to the Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week Rules and Standards:
How do I register my restaurant for Restaurant Week?
To register for Restaurant Week, your restaurant must be a member in good standing of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. Registrations are accepted via the RAMW online enrollment portal. To enroll, log into your member profile on RAMW.org. If your restaurant is not a current member, you can join online here.
To register for Restaurant Week, your restaurant must be a member in good standing of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. Registrations are accepted via the RAMW online enrollment portal. To enroll, log into your member profile on RAMW.org. If your restaurant is not a current member, you can join online here.
What is the deadline to register?
The Restaurant Week promotions are usually capped at 250 locations. Registration closes once the cap has been met or within 2-weeks of the start of the promotion.
Is there a fee to participate in Restaurant Week?
Yes. The participation fee is $500 for early registration and $550 after the early registration deadline.
Yes. The participation fee is $500 for early registration and $550 after the early registration deadline.
Why is there a fee to participate in Restaurant Week?
The participant registration fee goes to Restaurant Week website improvements, maintenance, advertising, marketing, and promotion of the event to help make it as successful as possible.
The participant registration fee goes to Restaurant Week website improvements, maintenance, advertising, marketing, and promotion of the event to help make it as successful as possible.
I have more than one restaurant. Does each of my restaurants have to register separately to participate?
Yes. All restaurants receive identical benefits so each participating restaurant has to register individually.
Yes. All restaurants receive identical benefits so each participating restaurant has to register individually.
Do I have to pay the fee twice if I have more than one restaurant with the same name in different locations?
Yes. Each restaurant will be listed individually and included in all promotional material as a separate restaurant.
Yes. Each restaurant will be listed individually and included in all promotional material as a separate restaurant.
Does my restaurant have to participate for the entire length of Restaurant Week?
Yes. All participating restaurants are required to offer their Restaurant Week menu for the selected service during all regular operating days, for the full length of the 7-day promotion period. Restaurants that opt to offer a Restaurant Week brunch service are able to choose from Saturday only, Sunday only or both days. NOTE: During an extended promotional period, participating restaurants must offer the three-course or equivalent prix fixe menu for the duration of the promotional period - for example a two-week period, requires participation for both weeks during the normal operational hours of the restaurant.
Yes. All participating restaurants are required to offer their Restaurant Week menu for the selected service during all regular operating days, for the full length of the 7-day promotion period. Restaurants that opt to offer a Restaurant Week brunch service are able to choose from Saturday only, Sunday only or both days. NOTE: During an extended promotional period, participating restaurants must offer the three-course or equivalent prix fixe menu for the duration of the promotional period - for example a two-week period, requires participation for both weeks during the normal operational hours of the restaurant.
Do I have to offer a 3-course menu?
Yes. Each restaurant determines its Restaurant Week menu but must offer at least 3-courses or the equivalent of 3-courses for the specified promotional price points exclusive of tax and gratuity. You have the choice to offer menus at the price point that best fits your menu(s).
Yes. Each restaurant determines its Restaurant Week menu but must offer at least 3-courses or the equivalent of 3-courses for the specified promotional price points exclusive of tax and gratuity. You have the choice to offer menus at the price point that best fits your menu(s).
How can I participate in Restaurant Week brunch?
Restaurants have the option to offer a Restaurant Week brunch menu that has an equivalent value of a 3-course menu at the promotional price points.
Can I include a cocktail or glass of wine in the fixed price?
Yes, restaurants can include beer, wine, cocktails or any other beverage within your Restaurant Week offer. If your standard price point for a 3-course meal falls within or below the Restaurant Week price point, we strongly suggest you include another course, glass of wine, cocktail or beer within the offer. You are able to indicate if you are offering pairings while registering your location. Cocktail and wine pairings are not expected to be included in prix fixe pricing.
Yes, restaurants can include beer, wine, cocktails or any other beverage within your Restaurant Week offer. If your standard price point for a 3-course meal falls within or below the Restaurant Week price point, we strongly suggest you include another course, glass of wine, cocktail or beer within the offer. You are able to indicate if you are offering pairings while registering your location. Cocktail and wine pairings are not expected to be included in prix fixe pricing.
Can I offer “upsell” items to the fixed price menu to increase the check price?
Yes. You can offer the Restaurant Week menu at the stated price point with an upgrade option.
Yes. You can offer the Restaurant Week menu at the stated price point with an upgrade option.
Does my restaurant have to offer three appetizers, three entrees, and three desserts to choose from?
It’s up to you to decide what is offered on your Restaurant Week menu. Many participants offer a special menu or include their full menu as part of the promotion. Whatever, you decide to do, Restaurant Week diners are looking for something special at your restaurant during the event. It is a best practice to create a menu that will showcase your restaurant.
It’s up to you to decide what is offered on your Restaurant Week menu. Many participants offer a special menu or include their full menu as part of the promotion. Whatever, you decide to do, Restaurant Week diners are looking for something special at your restaurant during the event. It is a best practice to create a menu that will showcase your restaurant.
Do I have to send my Restaurant Week menu to RAMW?
Yes. Participants can upload their final Restaurant Week menu via your member profile on RAMW.org or via email to rw@ramw.org. It is a best practice to provide your menu as soon as possible. Diner feedback shows that they often look menu offerings on the Restaurant Week site before booking their reservation.
When will my restaurant be listed on the website?
Your restaurant will be listed on the official Restaurant Week site upon completion of your registration including payment of the participation fee.
Your restaurant will be listed on the official Restaurant Week site upon completion of your registration including payment of the participation fee.
Can I include the Restaurant Week logo on my website and in promotional pieces?
Yes. All participants will receive the Restaurant Week Tool-Kit inclusive of the official Restaurant Week logo, canned social media messages, and customizable templates for your use in promoting your restaurant for the event. You may also email rw@ramw.org to request the logo once registered.
Yes. All participants will receive the Restaurant Week Tool-Kit inclusive of the official Restaurant Week logo, canned social media messages, and customizable templates for your use in promoting your restaurant for the event. You may also email rw@ramw.org to request the logo once registered.
For more information, please contact: rw@ramw.org or call us at (202) 331-5990.
