Labor and Policy: Page 10

  • A photo of people dining outside.
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    Byron Smith/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
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    NYC mayor signs permanent outdoor dining program into law

    Dining Out NYC addresses residents’ concerns about outdoor dining structures’ impact on sanitation and quality of life, and streamlines the process for restaurants to offer sidewalk and streetside service. 

    By • Aug. 16, 2023
  • People hold signs while protesting in front of Starbucks on April 14, 2022 in New York City.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Starbucks’ ‘overbroad’ workplace civility rule oversteps NLRA, Board rules

    On the heels of its Stericycle ruling, which increased scrutiny of employer handbooks, NLRB said Starbucks must rescind its “How We Communicate” workplace policy.

    By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 15, 2023
  • Starbucks logo on building exterior
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    Federal court dismisses suit that targeted Starbucks’ DEI policies

    The complaint alleged the coffee chain’s diverse hiring practices constituted discrimination against White people.

    By • Updated Aug. 14, 2023
  • A Serve Robotics robot featuring the Uber Eats logo.
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    Courtesy of Serve Robotics
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    Serve Robotics raises $30M, goes public in reverse merger

    The delivery robot company, which merged with Patricia Acquisition Corp., will use the new financing to help deploy up to 2,000 robots with Uber Eats.

    By • Aug. 11, 2023
  • An image of an adult male dressed in a blue sweater.
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    Permission granted by SPB Hospitality
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    Q&A

    SPB Hospitality CEO: Full-service chains still can’t find skilled labor

    Josh Kern is focused on competitive benefits, enhanced training and a positive work culture to attract and retain talent.

    By • Aug. 7, 2023
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    SunnyVMD via Getty Images
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    PDQ promotes Kep Sweeney to CEO

    Sweeney takes the reins from co-founder Nick Reader as the chicken chain invests in off-premise improvements, including geofencing to trim service times for pickup orders. 

    By • Aug. 4, 2023
  • An image of a building with yellow and red stripes. Signage says "Pollo Campero."
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    Permission granted by Pollo Campero
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    How Pollo Campero plans to grow from 90 US units to 250 in 5 years

    Since expanding its customer base beyond its legacy Guatemalan and Salvadoran diners, the concept has gained traction throughout the U.S. 

    By • Aug. 4, 2023
  • A view of an empty fast food restaurant
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    umcher via Getty Images
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    EEOC: Bojangles to pay $20K in sexual harassment, retaliation suit

    Earlier this year, an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission head publicly voiced concerns about sexual misconduct in the restaurant space.

    By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 3, 2023
  • Starbucks workers in aprons sing, standing next to U.S. military color guards
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    Stephen Brashear via Getty Images
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    Starbucks re-ups commitment to military employees

    The coffee company seeks to smooth out the relocation woes of military families, and provide increased mental health support for veteran workers.

    By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 3, 2023
  • Jared Isaacman standing in a corporate office.
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    Courtesy of Shift4
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    Shift4 shrinks workforce

    The payments company cut 150 employees in the second quarter, executives said Thursday during an earnings conference call.

    By Caitlin Mullen • Aug. 3, 2023
  • Sen. Bernie Sanders address Howard Schultz at a hearing of the Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Raise the Wage Act draws restaurant industry opposition

    Congress hasn’t raised the minimum wage in 14 years, prompting states and cities to take more aggressive legislative action on wages and conditions.

    By • July 27, 2023
  • An image of a copper sign that says Block
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    Courtesy of Shane Woolley/Restaurant Dive
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    Deep Dive

    It’s not just Starbucks: Why cafes are hotbeds for unionizing

    Workers at dozens of cafes in cities from Seattle to Boston are organizing, a trend experts attribute to low wages, college education and strong social bonds among employees.

    By • July 26, 2023
  • Opening small business. Happy arab woman in apron near bar counter holding digital tablet and looking at camera.
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    Prostock-Studio via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Fourth

    How to make demand forecasting your competitive advantage

    Learn how to take control of your labor budgets, empower frontline managers and eliminate staffing inefficiencies with AI-powered forecasting.

    By Christian Berthelsen, Chief Technology Officer, Fourth • July 24, 2023
  • The In-n-Out logo is displayed on the front of an In-n-Out restaurant on October 28, 2021 in Pleasant Hill, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    In-N-Out to discipline employees for wearing masks without a doctor’s note

    The policy applies to all store and support associates working in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah, with some exceptions.

    By Ryan Golden • Updated July 21, 2023
  • A worker takes a bowl of processed avocados from a prototype of Vebu's Autocado.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle pilots avocado robot that could halve guacamole prep time

    The Autocado, a robot designed by Vebu at Chipotle’s Cultivate Center, can hold 25 pounds of avocados at a time and cuts, cores and scoops the fruits.

    By • July 12, 2023
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Domino’s strikes deal with Uber Eats through 2024

    The companies will pilot an ordering partnership in four U.S. markets this fall before expanding nationwide. Domino’s will still deliver orders placed through Uber Eats.

    By • July 12, 2023
  • A person whose job has been cut collects their belongings
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    pcess609 via Getty Images
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    H1 2023 marked by 4 layoffs in restaurant tech

    Companies in the delivery, virtual brand and POS platform subsectors grappled with growing losses and corporate restructuring.

    By • July 10, 2023
  • A teenager works at a cafe and cleans an espresso machine,
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    standret via Getty Images
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    DOL recovers $88,000 in wages from Detroit-centered Italian restaurant group

    “A restaurant group in business for more than a few decades must be well aware of the laws protecting the wages of tipped and hourly employees,” a Wage and Hour Division director said.

    By Caroline Colvin • July 10, 2023
  • A Waffle House in Alabama.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Waffle House workers strike over safety at South Carolina store

    Meal deductions are also at the root of a strike at a Columbia, South Carolina, unit. The demonstration is backed by the Union of Southern Service Workers. 

    By • July 10, 2023
  • A bicycle delivery person in a city checking an address on a mobile app.
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    South_agency/E+ via Getty Images
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    Judge grants temporary injunction against NYC delivery driver pay rule

    The wage rule requires delivery firms to pay workers $19.96 an hour by 2025, the latest development in regulatory battles between aggregators and the city.

    By • Updated July 10, 2023
  • Screenshots of DoorDash's updated Dasher features
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    Permission granted by DoorDash
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    DoorDash adds hourly pay option for drivers

    The company’s driver app also includes the ability for couriers to complete an order that will take them to their designated delivery areas. 

    By • June 28, 2023
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    Courtesy of Nextbite
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    Nextbite faces class-action lawsuit over May layoffs

    A worker, whose maternity leave ended two months early, alleges that the virtual brand platform failed to provide notice to laid off employees as required by federal law.

    By • June 27, 2023
  • Picketers outside a Boston Starbucks during a 64 day strike.
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    Permission granted by Boston Starbucks Workers United
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks union plans largest strike yet over Pride decorations

    Roughly 3,000 workers at 150-plus Starbucks cafes could strike over the next week following disputes over LGBTQ Pride decorations at some stores. 

    By • June 23, 2023
  • Some rainbow colored Starbucks cups.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Some Starbucks cafes have removed Pride decor. Corporate says it hasn’t banned the practice.

    Confusion over Pride decoration policy has sparked tension between Starbucks and its union, as major brands like Target and Anheuser-Busch InBev face threats for their pro-LGBTQ marketing.

    By • June 16, 2023
  • The Starbucks logo hangs outside one of the company's cafes in Northwich on 3 July, 2008 in Northwich, England.
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
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    Judge adds $2.7M to jury award in Starbucks race discrimination case

    The White plaintiff, a former regional director, alleged her race played a role in her firing after the company sought to mitigate damage following a 2018 racial profiling incident.

    By Emilie Shumway • Updated Aug. 17, 2023