Starbucks unveils 'reinvention' plan, hikes wages

Eligible workers will receive pay bumps of up to 3% in August, as interim CEO Howard Schultz looks to improve employee welfare and diner experiences.

By Julie Littman • July 11, 2022

Nextbite faces second round of layoffs

Nextbite is laying off an undisclosed number of employees following an earlier round of job cuts in April, when the company shed less than 10% of its staff.

By Alicia Kelso • July 11, 2022

Survey: Most restaurants are still short-staffed even as demand recovers

Thirty percent of restaurant owners said business has returned to pre-pandemic levels while 25% said it has surpassed them, per Popmenu. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 30, 2022

USHG joins Starbucks, DoorDash in growing list of companies covering abortion expenses

Some legal experts have said these benefits may cause legal trouble for companies operating in certain states that have criminalized the procedure.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 30, 2022

Massachusetts court tosses gig work ballot initiatives backed by Uber, DoorDash

The proposals, which are similar to Prop 22, would have classified food delivery drivers as independent contractors but granted them some benefits.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 15, 2022

Grubhub adds instant pay option for delivery drivers

Instant Cashout via Direct to Debit will be available this month and allows Grubhub’s couriers to deposit earnings to an eligible bank debit card. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 15, 2022

If you are using 3rd party apps like Grubhub and Uber Eats, you might be double paying your sales tax

To maximize the power of 3rd party apps (3PA), owners and managers must understand and manage them correctly. 

June 7, 2022

McDonald's will conduct a civil rights assessment led by third party

The company didn't disclose if the assessment differs from the civil rights audit that shareholders voted for last week. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 3, 2022

Survey: 44% of drivers prefer flexibility of ride-sharing over pizza delivery jobs

High gas prices have pushed one-third of drivers who previously delivered food to now only service ride-sharing requests, according to BTIG research.

By Alicia Kelso • June 3, 2022

Starbucks union workers land $1M strike fund after 100th win

The fund started by Workers United will be used to pay workers for lost time and other benefits during strikes. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 3, 2022

Report: Over 40% of independent restaurants are behind on rent

This is the worst rent delinquency level among small restaurants since October, and the change is largely due to rent inflation, according to Alignable.

By Alicia Kelso • June 2, 2022

Business associations back lawsuit challenging DOL's 80/20 rule

The contentious policy has been scrapped and resurrected repeatedly over the years, as business operators clash with regulators on tip calculation.

By Emilie Shumway • May 31, 2022

Subway shop's $30K settlement highlights duty to accommodate autism

The EEOC alleged the franchisee failed to provide requested accommodations for a new hire with autism and then fired him after four shifts.

By Laurel Kalser • May 31, 2022

McDonald's stockholders vote for independent civil rights audit

The proposal for an independent civil rights audit — which goes against the company's recommendation — won a 52% to 47% vote.

By Alicia Kelso • May 27, 2022

Wing Zone is the latest chain to bet big on Miso Robotics

The chain, which has 100-plus stores in its development pipeline, will include robotic fryer Flippy 2 in all standard restaurant builds going forward. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 25, 2022

What's the impact of the Senate's failure to pass RRF? The restaurant industry reacts.

From independent operators to hospitality groups, most are disappointed and some are angry that there remains no federal aid to support struggling restaurants.

By Thai Phi Le • May 24, 2022

By the numbers: The cost of 1 year without RRF

We took a look at several market performance indicators over the past year to get a sense of how the absence of Restaurant Revitalization Fund impacted U.S. restaurants, and what operators are forecasting for the future. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 24, 2022

'A huge slap in the face': Milwaukee chef on losing his RRF grant

Since he was a kid in Venezuela, Amilinda owner Greg Leon was surrounded by cooking. But the pandemic nearly took that away, as his restaurant was stripped of promised funds and his staffing took a hit. 

By Thai Phi Le • May 24, 2022

RRF refill bill fails to pass Senate in major blow to restaurant industry

While the vote wasn't a surprise, the inability to approve S. 4008 leaves the Restaurant Revitalization Fund empty and the nearly 200,000 applicants that didn't receive grants in the dark. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 19, 2022

Starbucks to cover travel for employees seeking abortion, gender-affirming care

The policy applies to workers, as well as their dependents, who need to travel more than 100 miles to access these medical procedures. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 17, 2022

McDonald's offloads Russian restaurants to licensee for undisclosed price

Alexander Govor, who operated 25 units in Siberia, will run the locations under a new brand and retain McDonald's employees for at least two years.  

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated May 19, 2022

McDonald's franchisees reportedly worried new grading system will hurt retention

Operations PACE would mandate a further six to 10 visits by assessors and company representatives to every location, the chain's operators told CNBC.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Emma Liem Beckett • May 13, 2022

Chili's parent extends education benefits to employees' family members

Brinker International's perk will allow one eligible family member of each worker who is management level or above to access tuition-free programs. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 13, 2022

Study: Independent restaurants show signs of recovery despite inflation

The NPD Group found the number of independent restaurant units grew 1% by the end of 2021, compared to a 5% decline in 2020. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 12, 2022

Why the NLRB's Starbucks complaint may only be symbolic union win

Starbucks denies the complaint's hundreds of union-busting allegations. If the chain is found to have violated labor law, it could be years before the board can enforce consequences.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 12, 2022