1. My primary business is: (check only one)   Response Percent Response Total     Restaurant (without liquor license) 13.6% 11     Restaurant (with liquor license) 44.4% 36     Bar/Tavern 0% 0     Food or Beverage Product Supplier 3.7% 3     Equipment Supplier 9.9% 8     Specialized Service Provider 21% 17     Caterer 7.4% 6 Total Respondents   81 (skipped this question)   0

2. In 2006, was your total dollar sales volume higher, lower, or about the same as 2005?   Response Percent Response Total     Higher 58.4% 45     Lower 15.6% 12     About the same 26% 20 Total Respondents   77 (skipped this question)   4

3. If higher, please specify the percentage difference:   Response Percent Response Total     5 to 10 percent 52.2% 24     10 to 20 percent 37% 17     20 to 30 percent 6.5% 3     30 to 40 percent 2.2% 1     50 percent or higher 2.2% 1 Total Respondents   46 (skipped this question)   35

4. If lower, please specify the percentage difference:   Response Percent Response Total     5 to 10 percent 72.7% 8     10 to 20 percent 27.3% 3     20 to 30 percent 0% 0     30 to 40 percent 0% 0     50 percent or higher 0% 0 Total Respondents   11 (skipped this question)   70

5. Do you anticipate that your 2007 dollar sales volume will be higher, lower, or about the same as 2006?   Response Percent Response Total     Higher 75.6% 59     Lower 2.6% 2     About the same 21.8% 17 Total Respondents   78 (skipped this question)   3

6. Do you currently offer healthcare benefits to your full-time employees (excluding owner and general manager)? If you answer NO to this question, skip to question #8.   Response Percent Response Total     Yes 64.1% 50     No 35.9% 28 Total Respondents   78 (skipped this question)   3

7. Approximately what percentage of your full-time employees who are eligible for healthcare benefits actually participate in the plan?   Response Percent Response Total     10 percent 10.2% 5     20 percent 10.2% 5     30 percent 8.2% 4     40 percent 4.1% 2     50 percent 12.2% 6     60 percent 8.2% 4     70 percent 8.2% 4     80 percent 14.3% 7     90 percent 10.2% 5     100 percent 14.3% 7 Total Respondents   49 (skipped this question)   32

8. Maryland lawmakers are likely to consider several options to make healthcare insurance more accessible and affordable. Currently, it is unclear which direction the final legislation will take. However, please tell us which reform you would be most likely to support? (check only one)   Response Percent Response Total     State-run Healthcare-For-All system funded through an employer payroll tax. 0% 0     Establish an Insurance Exchange through which consumers could custom-design a plan to meet their needs. Premiums would be paid by both the employer and employee (who could receive a possible tax credit). Employee would keep same insurance regardless of employer. This plan would be similar to the new system recently adopted in Massachusetts. 27.4% 20     Before considering major reforms to the healthcare insurance system, legislators should re-address the issue of medical malpractice lawsuits/doctors' insurance and identify other hidden factors that contribute to skyrocketing costs. 28.8% 21     Keep the existing Comprehensive Standard Health Benefit Plan system for smaller employers (commonly referred to as Small Group Insurance), but consider expanding the eligibility requirements to include employers with up to 200 employees (currently limited to 50 employees) and eliminate some of the more costly coverage mandates. 8.2% 6     Not sure 35.6% 26 Total Respondents   73 (skipped this question)   8

9. Considering the results of the 2006 FEDERAL Election, are you more optimistic or less optimistic about the prospects for legislative victories on small business/tax issues at the Federal level?   Response Percent Response Total     More optimistic 11% 8     Less optimistic 64.4% 47     About the same 24.7% 18 Total Respondents   73 (skipped this question)   8

10. Considering the results of the 2006 MARYLAND Election, are you more optimistic or less optimistic about the prospects for legislative victories on small business/tax issues at the State level?   Response Percent Response Total     More optimistic 13.7% 10     Less optimistic 65.8% 48     About the same 20.5% 15 Total Respondents   73 (skipped this question)   8

11. As an Association continuously striving to give you the most value for your membership dollar, we want to know which member benefits are MOST important to you. While you may take advantage of multiple member benefits, please select the ONE benefit that means the MOST to you: (check only one)   Response Percent Response Total     RAM Endorsed Programs (credit card processing, workers’ comp, electricity, etc.) 50.7% 35     Government Relations (legal/regulatory questions, lobbying, info on new laws, etc.) 24.6% 17     Marketing & Communications (dining guide, buyer’s guide, website, restaurant promotions, etc.) 15.9% 11     Education/Training (sanitation classes, alcohol certification, server training, etc.) 8.7% 6 Total Respondents   69 (skipped this question)   12

12. What service that is not currently offered by RAM would you like to see added as a member benefit program?  Total Respondents   11 (skipped this question)   70

13. What educational training or certification class would you like to see offered through the Maryland Hospitality Education Foundation?  Total Respondents   5 (skipped this question)   76

14. Which of the following issues is MOST important to your business? (check only one)   Response Percent Response Total     Food Safety/Food Security/Sanitation 18.8% 13     Labor Issues (finding quality workforce, training, immigration, etc.) 36.2% 25     Tourism Promotion 1.4% 1     Marketing/Increasing Customer Traffic 40.6% 28     Other (please specify) 2.9% 2 Total Respondents   69 (skipped this question)   12

15. Please identify the issue that is MOST harmful to your business and should be addressed immediately. (check only one)   Response Percent Response Total     Healthcare costs 24.6% 17     Credit card processing fees 7.2% 5     Mandated wage increases 31.9% 22     Business taxes/fees/licenses 29% 20     Prospect of new regulations on nutrition/menu labeling/trans fats 2.9% 2     Other (please specify) 4.3% 3 Total Respondents   69 (skipped this question)   12

16. Despite the current State budget surplus, budget analysts predict a $400 million deficit in FY 2008, which could grow to $1 billion by FY 2009. While Legislators will consider many options to close the budget gap, tax increases are almost certain. RAM has always opposed industry-specific taxes (e.g. meals taxes, higher alcohol taxes, etc.). However, there is talk of increasing the State sales tax from 5 to 6 percent, which would impact all retail industries equally. Would you support a sales tax increase to address the predicted deficit?   Response Percent Response Total     Yes 18.8% 13     No 59.4% 41     Not sure 21.7% 15 Total Respondents   69 (skipped this question)   12

17. In an effort to better serve our members on a local level, would you be willing to participate in a local county chapter?   Response Percent Response Total   yes 62.1% 41   no 37.9% 25 Total Respondents   66 (skipped this question)   15

18. Are you willing to serve as a volunteer chapter officer?   Response Percent Response Total     yes 29.7% 19     no 70.3% 45 Total Respondents   64 (skipped this question)   17

19. Which of the following Trade Publications do you read?   Response Percent Response Total   Foodservice Monthly 67.7% 42   Nation's Restaurant News 54.8% 34   Fast Casual 8.1% 5   Pizza Marketplace 6.5% 4   Franchise Times 8.1% 5   Food Safety 4.8% 3   Asian Restaurant News   0% 0   Other (please specify) 22.6% 14 Total Respondents   62 (skipped this question)   19

20. The HotStuff Newsletter is sent out to the Membership on a weekly basis. How often would you like to receive your newsletter?   Response Percent Response Total     weekly 46.3% 31     every 2 weeks 47.8% 32     Other (please specify) 6% 4 Total Respondents   67 (skipped this question)   14