Labor and Policy
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Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks remodels, service tweaks are paying off
The coffee giant gained same-store sales momentum in the U.S. market with its third consecutive quarter of comps growth.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 30, 2026 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Taco Bell tied to Cyclospora outbreaks in 4 more states
While the chain removed potentially contaminated lettuce by July 17, the long incubation period of the parasite — upwards of two weeks — means new cases may continue into early August.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 27, 2026 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
Taco Bell flooded with lawsuits over diarrhea outbreak
The fast food giant, supplier Taylor Farms and at least one franchisee face legal action from consumers in multiple states over alleged deceptive marketing and illness tied to lettuce.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 23, 2026 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
What 10 leading restaurant companies pay their CEOs — and their hourly workers
Median hourly compensation hovers near, and sometimes below, the poverty line, while leading restaurant CEOs earn tens of millions.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 22, 2026 -
Courtesy of Burger King
Burger King reworks manager role to support guest experience
The chain is redefining its restaurant manager role with a new, more distinct uniform and new responsibilities to better address guest concerns.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 20, 2026 -
Getty Images
Inappropriate touching, unwanted spanking costs Las Vegas restaurant group $2M
The court documents allege that Bouchon and the greater restaurant group failed to take appropriate action to prevent the harassment, even after receiving complaints.
By Caroline Colvin • July 17, 2026 -
Getty Images
Taco Bell lettuce supplier linked to diarrhea outbreak
Upwards of 1,600 people who contracted cyclosporiasis reported eating at the chain beforehand, the CDC and FDA said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated July 20, 2026 -
Courtesy of Taco Bell
Taco Bell pulls some ingredients as cyclosporiasis outbreak grows
The brand said its decision was a voluntary precaution and that no specific brand or restaurant has been confirmed as the source of the outbreak.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 16, 2026 -
Michael M. Santiago / Staff via Getty Images
Starbucks rolls out quarterly bonuses for high-performing workers
The latest perks could help the chain attract and retain workers needed to sustain its turnaround drive.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 13, 2026 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Shallow restaurant labor pool could drive up summer wages
With 300,000 fewer young workers in the labor force than in 2025, restaurants in seasonal markets could have a tough time finding workers, the National Restaurant Association said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 25, 2026 -
Courtesy of Cava
Cava will hire over 2K employees, open 75 units in 2026
The chain has already hired 150 assistant general managers as part of its Flavor Your Future platform to develop a deep bench of future general managers.
By Julie Littman • June 10, 2026 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Q&AWhy trade, swipe fees are NRA’s political priorities for restaurants
The National Restaurant Association is urging the Trump administration to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement and take a do-no-harm stance on tariffs.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 9, 2026 -
Hispanolistic via Getty Images
Q&ANRA: Immigration reform may be on the table in 2026
From scheduling laws to visa delays, the restaurant workforce is uniquely impacted by changes to labor regulations, posing major problems for operators with thin margins.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 8, 2026 -
Getty Images
Illinois restaurants face more tip fees, for now
A federal court blocked the state's interchange fee ban. Delays to the law could cost local businesses $500 million a year, proponents say.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 3, 2026 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Restaurants frame immigration as a fight for consumer affordability
As inflation concerns escalate, restaurant groups have found lawmakers more receptive to immigration conversations — even in deep red Texas.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 20, 2026 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Q&AWhat independent restaurants want out of politics in 2026
Immigration enforcement, high swipe fees, delivery commissions and a lack of market power threaten restaurant margins, said the Independent Restaurant Coalition’s executive director.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 12, 2026 -
Courtesy of Dine Brands
Applebee’s franchisees sue chain over dual-branding exclusivity
Operators in Texas claim adding Applebee’s to existing IHOP restaurants broke development exclusivity agreements.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 27, 2026 -
David Ryder via Getty Images
Starbucks Nashville HQ will cost $100M, employ 2K workers
The chain will relocate some teams and hire new workers to staff a regional headquarters with proximity to key suppliers and expected growth markets.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 22, 2026 -
Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
DOL proposes new joint employer rule
The rule would create “a single nationwide standard” for the Fair Labor Standards Act and other laws, the U.S. Department of Labor said.
By Ginger Christ • Updated April 22, 2026 -
Jim Vondruska/Getty Images via Getty Images
Chicago’s tip credit elimination plan is back, for now
Chicago city councilors failed to overturn a mayoral veto of the council’s tipped wage freeze on Wednesday.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 16, 2026 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
How Starbucks, Target, Dave & Buster’s invest in employees to boost CX
Financial incentives, better training and unified company culture are among the tools companies are using to enhance the employee experience.
By Bryan Wassel • April 13, 2026 -
Getty Images
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 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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 -
Walter Cicchetti via Getty Images
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 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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
