The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington said it will cease to affiliate itself with the National Restaurant Association and convert to an independent organization beginning Jan. 1.

The Washington, D.C.-based RAMW board of directors made the decision after the NRA introduced a new dual-membership agreement that restricts state affiliates from representing operators outside of their recognized state lines.

RAMW’s membership includes about 300 restaurateurs from Northern Virginia and Maryland as well as about 400 operating in the District of Columbia. As a result of the new agreement, members from Northern Virginia and Maryland would no longer qualify for dual membership in the state association and the NRA.

“Many of our members have restaurants in several places — in the District and Virginia or Maryland,” said Lynne Breaux, president of RAMW. “We are a hybrid, not a state; we’re a region.”

Commenting on RAMW’s announcement, Sue Hensley, a spokeswoman for the NRA, said: “We plan to continue to work with the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington to try to find resolution to concerns about the dual membership agreement.

“The dual membership language was written in consultation with the Council of State Restaurant Associations — which represents all state restaurant associations across the country — and it clearly defines the representation of geographic regions. We are still working through the nuances of the District's defined membership as opposed to a traditional state.

“We look forward to continuing to serve restaurants in the Washington region through effective advocacy, best-in-class training, and products that help restaurants increase their bottom line,” she said.

In the meantime, RAMW said it would continue to offer members “comparable, or better, benefits and services.” Breaux said the association is exploring possible candidates that offer food safety and alcohol awareness training courses to its members.

Contact Paul Frumkin at pfrumkin@nrn.com.