
From the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW):
“New data from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) show that closures among DC’s mid-priced restaurants fell sharply by 54% in the first two quarters of 2026 — offering evidence that the DC Council’s 2025 reform of Initiative 82 is relieving pressure on local restaurants, even as operators continue to face higher costs, weaker diner spending, and staffing challenges.
Across all restaurant types, closures have fallen 43% year-over-year. The findings come as voters may soon consider Initiative 87, a new ballot measure that would raise D.C.’s minimum wage — already the highest of any state in the country — to $25 an hour, a faster and steeper increase than any American city has attempted. (more…)