Popmenu: 35% of diners are cutting back on restaurant tips

Tipping fatigue and consumer price sensitivity driven by inflation may be lowering both the frequency and size of tips given to workers.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 10, 2026

Waffle House not liable for worker stabbing customer in face, 11th Circuit says

The plaintiff failed to show that the chain could have reasonably foreseen that such an incident would take place, according to the court.

By Ryan Golden • April 8, 2026

Popeyes dodges lawsuit over fingerprint scans, but court leaves door open for redo

The chain allegedly violated Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, a law that has led to several high-profile settlements.

By Ryan Golden • April 7, 2026

Burger King to hire 60K workers as part of turnaround

Investment in menu items, marketing and renovations have helped the chain bring in customers. Now it needs the workers to serve them.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 2, 2026

Starbucks adds performance bonuses for frontline workers

Baristas and shift supervisors could see $300 quarterly bonuses starting in July, while Starbucks is expanding tipping across ordering channels.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated April 3, 2026

Starbucks challenged by labor-friendly activist investors

Starbucks and Workers United may resume bargaining within weeks, despite an ongoing proxy battle over labor relations.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 23, 2026

Chicago Mayor plans to veto tipped wage freeze

The city council froze the tipped minimum wage at 76% of the city’s overall wage, following industry opposition to the gradual end of the tip credit.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 20, 2026

NRA: Tariffs, immigration and swipe fees will define restaurant politics in 2026

The National Restaurant Association said restaurants need stable trade policy, protections for immigrant workers and lower swipe fees.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 20, 2026

Restaurant lobby celebrates Illinois court win on swipe fees

A judge ruled the state can prohibit financial firms from charging interchange fees on tips and sales taxes.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 12, 2026

Starbucks beats Missouri AG’s lawsuit targeting DEI programs

The state said it will continue to “aggressively” pursue the case, however.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 9, 2026

Fat Brands CEO Andy Wiederhorn faces ouster by lenders

The chief executive’s on-again-off-again tenure at Fat is under threat after a sale of Twin Hospitality stock, which creditors allege was irregular.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 9, 2026

Taco Bell operators settle claims that harasser’s conduct went unchecked for months

Restaurant industry employers have a particular duty to protect young workers, a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regional attorney said.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 6, 2026

‘Fear’ and ‘chaos’ threaten employers’ 2026 immigration plans

Even the attorneys to whom HR departments look for guidance are vexed by the Trump administration’s enforcement plan — which is expected to escalate.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 30, 2026

What’s the restaurant industry outlook for 2026?

After a bruising year, restaurants face another spell of serious uncertainty. But there are bright spots in beverage innovation and casual dining, and diner spending may improve.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 30, 2026

Starbucks’ sales spike on traffic, show turnaround is working

The coffee giant saw transactions increase among rewards members and non-members, the first time both cohorts saw traffic growth in nearly four years.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 28, 2026

Minimum wage increases hit 19 states in 2026

A number of states crossed the $15-per-hour threshold that’s long been used as a rallying cry among worker advocates.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 12, 2026

Litigants end McDonald’s no-poach agreement saga after almost a decade

Multiple fast food chains have since ceased using the restrictive hiring agreements at issue.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 7, 2026

Fueling Up: How foodservice and QSRs can reshape c-store labor in 2026

Hiring and retaining good workers has become an intractable challenge for the industry. Building first-class food programs could help retailers finally break through.

By Brett Dworski • Dec. 16, 2025

Starbucks’ ‘illegal race-based’ DEI at center of Florida AG’s lawsuit

Starbucks said its hiring practices are “inclusive, fair and competitive, and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job, every time.”

By Caroline Colvin • Dec. 11, 2025

By the numbers: 4 years of Starbucks Workers United

Years after winning its first election, Starbucks Workers United remains without a contract despite election wins, shopfloor organizing and a national strike.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 9, 2025

DC labor groups want $25 minimum wage and to kill the tip credit

Buoyed by the success of Zohran Mamdani and goaded by the revision of Initiative 82, labor organizations in Washington, D.C., are picking a bigger version of a familiar fight. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 8, 2025

Panda Express to pay $1M in California carbon dioxide settlement

A lawsuit in Riverside County alleged the brand failed to adequately train staff in handling potentially hazardous materials related to soda fountains.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 5, 2025

Starbucks to pay $39M in New York City labor settlement

New York City alleged the company violated its Fair Workweek rules upwards of 500,000 times between 2021 and 2024.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Dec. 3, 2025

Panera plans to reach $7B in sales by 2028

The chain’s multi-part strategic plan includes investments in beverage and bakery items and front-of-house labor. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 18, 2025

Starbucks Workers United launches 65-store strike

The union said its members are prepared for the longest and most serious strike in the brand’s history, aimed at pushing Starbucks to agree to more favorable contract terms.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Nov. 13, 2025