Labor and Policy
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Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks cafes are getting more managers
The cafe chain is launching a full-time assistant manager program, which will be systemwide in 2026, to fill a critical gap in store-level leadership.
By Julie Littman • June 11, 2025 -
umcher via Getty Images
Las Vegas restaurant operator ordered to pay more than $215K for alleged racial slurs against Black line cook
Olives, Inc., allegedly took no remedial or disciplinary action after an HR manager came to the “spurious” conclusion there was no “malicious intent” behind the conduct.
By Laurel Kalser • June 10, 2025 -
Patty Colabuono via Getty Images
Slurs, stalking and shoddy pay: Culver’s franchise settles slew of EEOC claims
The settlement includes one case alleging sexual orientation-based discrimination, despite EEOC’s recent enforcement shifts affecting LGBTQ+ workers.
By Ryan Golden • June 10, 2025 -
Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
The many faces of automation at the NRA Show
This year artificial intelligence appeared in forms ranging from a cat-eared delivery robot to a generated analytics dashboard.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 5, 2025 -
traveler1116 via Getty Images
DC city council pauses tipped wage hike
In a possible prelude to repealing Initiative 82, a plan to eliminate the tipped minimum wage, the council voted Tuesday to delay a $2 wage increase scheduled for July 1.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated June 4, 2025 -
kali9 via Getty Images
Deep DiveNo taxes on tips may happen soon. Here’s what it could look like for hospitality workers.
Congress could pass legislation that includes eliminating taxes on tips as soon as this month. But what the legislation will look like — and its effects — are still up for debate.
By Noelle Mateer • June 3, 2025 -
Chip Somodevilla / Staff via Getty Images
How tariffs could impact 11 major restaurant companies
While a bulk of chains, including Sweetgreen and Chipotle, expect minimal impact to food costs because of domestic supply chains, the cost of new equipment could rise.
By Julie Littman • May 30, 2025 -
US court blocks Trump’s sweeping tariffs
The Court of International Trade said the president overstepped his authority, halting various duties. After an appeal, the ruling has been paused.
By Edwin Lopez • Updated May 29, 2025 -
Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
Reporter’s notebook: 3 unanswered questions from the NRA Show
Can a robot really replace a worker? Will tariffs trigger a recession? Can you charge $14 for a mocktail?
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 28, 2025 -
Juanmonino via Getty Images
Independent restaurants urge Congress to exempt service charges from taxes, not just tips
The “No Tax on Tips” provision in a proposed budget reconciliation package only benefits customer-facing staff, not dishwashers or other back-of-house workers, the IRC said.
By Julie Littman • May 20, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Chuck E. Cheese sued by West Virginia workers over sexual harassment, retaliation
A manager at the family eatertainment brand allegedly retaliated against an assistant manager for reporting sexual harassment of women employees.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 16, 2025 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks union workers strike over dress code changes
Baristas at more than 50 cafes have walked off the job over new clothing policies, which they say deviate from agreements made at the bargaining table.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 14, 2025 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks’ employee, algorithm investments show signs of paying off
Pilot programs last quarter proved workers, not equipment, are the key to solving Starbucks’ low throughput woes, according to CEO Brian Niccol.
By Bryan Wassel • May 1, 2025 -
lechatnoir via Getty Images
Independent restaurants could use pandemic-era strategies against tariffs
Navigating supply chain challenges under Trump’s fluctuating trade policy will require both flexibility and conservative cost measures, experts and restaurateurs say.
By Danielle McLean • April 28, 2025 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Chipotle wants its workers to smile for customers
The restaurant chain plans to improve CX through friendliness. “The fact is smiles down the line don't slow us down,” CEO Scott Boatwright said.
By Bryan Wassel • April 25, 2025 -
Permission granted by Uber
FTC lawsuit: Uber made it too hard to cancel Uber One subscriptions
Uber contests the allegations, which include claims the delivery platform signed consumers up without their consent and charged them too early, according to a complaint filed Monday.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 22, 2025 -
Shutterstock
Sponsored by Checkr4 ways hospitality HR teams are taking the lead
Hospitality is at a turning point. Here’s how to make HR a key driver of strategic transformation.
April 21, 2025 -
Araya Doheny via Getty Images
Massachusetts slaps Dunkin’, McDonald’s, Subway operators with $226K in child labor fines
Franchisees allegedly employed minors without proper permits, and kept them working too long and without proper supervision, according to the state attorney general.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 18, 2025 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Here’s what 7 major restaurants pay their CEOs — and their store-level workers
The top brass at fast food chains like Starbucks, Chipotle and Yum Brands make tens of millions a year, while their hourly workers’ earnings hover near the poverty line.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 15, 2025 -
kaarsten via Getty Images
One Fair Wage: DC’s tip credit elimination is a ‘success story’
As federal job cuts loom, employment data shows D.C.’s restaurant workforce is largely steady after the passage of Initiative 82.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 14, 2025 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Will restaurants be hit hard by tariffs? 6 experts weigh in
America’s baseline tariffs and the potential for renewed, country-specific taxes could pose significant problems for the restaurant industry. But analysts and trade groups are split on just how much risk looms.
By Restaurant Dive Staff • April 14, 2025 -
Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
Trump pauses most reciprocal tariffs, hikes China’s further
The U.S. will now charge a 125% duty on imports from China, while most other countries will be subject to a 10% rate for 90 days.
By Philip Neuffer • April 10, 2025 -
Courtesy of DoorDash
DoorDash, Coco to bring delivery bots to Chicago and Los Angeles
The companies will offer robotic delivery from nearly 600 businesses, as sidewalk bots become a point of competition with Uber Eats and Grubhub.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 10, 2025 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
‘It limits you’: Chipotle manager allegedly refused to schedule worker who needed to pump
The PUMP Act granted federal protections to nursing employees, but working parents may not be aware of what the law provides.
By Ryan Golden • April 1, 2025 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Why Shake Shack’s founder ties employee experience to CX
Employees won’t offer customers consistently good experiences unless they like their job and coworkers, according to Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer.
By Bryan Wassel • March 25, 2025
