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

Inspire hires Yum vet to lead HR operations

Kelly McCulloch brings over two decades of QSR HR experience to her new position, where she will oversee a global system that includes 650,000 workers.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 28, 2025

Taco Bell says education benefits have driven retention

The chain is also emphasizing internal promotion of managers and area coaches through a training program meant to improve employees’ career paths.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 24, 2025

Starbucks poised to hire around 8K assistant mangers

The chain is testing the assistant manager role — a step between hourly shift supervisor and salaried manager — at 62 stores to fine-tune the position before expanding it to nearly all U.S. and Canadian stores.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 22, 2025

Yelp adds AI Host and Receptionist to restaurant toolbox

 The customizable solutions can answer diner questions, ask follow-ups and book reservations, reflecting restaurant interest in voice technology.  

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 21, 2025

Beyond compliance: How Circular Action Alliance supports producers through EPR

As EPR laws for paper and packaging roll out across several U.S. states, producers must navigate a new and evolving regulatory landscape.

Oct. 6, 2025

Starbucks to close roughly 400 stores, lay off 900 corporate workers

The closures, which will largely take place over the next few days, follow a strategic review of the company’s North American store base as part of its larger turnaround plan.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Sept. 26, 2025

P.F. Chang’s settles claim it refused to hire applicant who asked for Sundays off

The applicant’s stipulation constituted a religious accommodation request under Title VII, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 22, 2025

Olo lays off workers following Thoma Bravo acquisition

The move marks the third time in three years the restaurant tech company has cut workers.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 18, 2025

By the numbers: Starbucks’ first year under CEO Brian Niccol

What’s changed 12 months after the chain’s dramatic restaurant leadership shakeup? The numbers reveal a mix of store growth, declining comp sales and continued labor strife. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 9, 2025

McDonald’s leaves NRA over policy differences

The National Restaurant Association confirmed McDonald's terminated its membership after CEO Chris Kempczinski criticized the tip credit — a political keystone for the NRA — on CNBC.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 4, 2025

Why consumer confidence is the leading restaurant traffic indicator

Dwindling confidence in macroeconomic growth means consumers are more price-sensitive than ever, in a potential win for value-oriented brands, Revenue Management Solutions said.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 27, 2025

Uber Eats settles Seattle labor claims for $15M

The delivery aggregator denied allegations by city authorities that it misled workers about potential earnings and paid them less than required.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Aug. 27, 2025

What restaurant operators are prioritizing in the face of 2025’s mounting pressures

Labor, food costs, tariffs—here’s what restaurant leaders are doing to stay ahead for the rest of 2025.

Aug. 25, 2025

Tips drop as consumer spending stalls

Average tip size has shrunk from 15.5% in 2023 to 14.9% in the second quarter of 2025, leaving workers with less pay, a July report from Square showed.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 8, 2025

Starbucks pledges $500M in additional labor as sales slide continues

The coffee chain’s same-store sales dropped for the sixth consecutive quarter, but CEO Brian Niccol said the brand is seeing positive indicators in its operational metrics.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 30, 2025

DC city council limits tipped wage hikes

The municipality voted to cap the tipped wage at 75% of the city’s minimum wage, gutting a law passed by referendum in 2022 to end the tip credit.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 29, 2025

Worker says Dunkin’ franchisee retaliated after she researched tip law

“That’s AI,” the worker’s supervisor allegedly said in response to her findings. “That’s not real.”

By Emilie Shumway • July 21, 2025