SCOTUS to hear Taco Bell employee's arbitration case

A key point of contention concerns whether, as the employee claimed, her employer waived its right to arbitration by acting inconsistently with that right.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 29, 2021

3 ways tipping laws have changed in 2021

From tipping pools to the 80/20 rule, the U.S. Department of Labor has made major revisions to how tips are calculated, which may pressure operators.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 24, 2021

Study: 28% of unvaccinated consumers would consider lying about their status in order to dine out

While 59% of U.S. consumers support businesses requiring vaccination, 21% do not, according to research from Qualtrics.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 23, 2021

Starbucks workers in Arizona petition for a union election

The growth of Starbucks' union drive may reflect increased labor power in the restaurant industry, visible in one-day strikes in non-union restaurant locations.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 19, 2021

Burgerville and IWW ratify a contract in fast food first

The contract, which covers Burgerville's five unionized shops and expires in May 2023, secures wage raises and tipping, along with new benefits. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Dec. 20, 2021

The restaurant labor crisis in 5 stats

Data shows how the COVID-19 delta variant erased much of the recovery for operators and drove restaurant worker quit rates to a historic high.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 12, 2021

Starbucks workers allege union busting

Employees claim the coffee chain violated the National Labor Relations Act two days before former CEO Howard Schultz visited Buffalo ahead of a union vote.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 8, 2021

Court stays employer vaccine mandate

The 5th Circuit ordered the stay due to "grave statutory and constitutional issues with the Mandate."

By Kathryn Moody • Nov. 8, 2021

OSHA: Employers have 60 days to mandate COVID-19 vaccines

It is a monumental — if expected — development for workplaces throughout the U.S. But expect the news on the Emergency Temporary Standard to move fast.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Nov. 4, 2021

DoorDash adds delivery worker safety features

Following increases in theft and violence against its couriers, DoorDash added SafeDash so these workers can contact an ADT agent to request assistance during situations where they feel unsafe.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 4, 2021

NRA pushes Biden admin for supply chain solutions

Ninety-five percent of restaurants have experienced significant supply delays or shortages of key food items in recent months, according to the National Restaurant Association. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 2, 2021

Survey: 67% of NYC restaurants lost customers to vaccine mandate

A New York State Restaurant Association study found more than 90% of Big Apple restaurateurs have experienced customer-facing challenges around enforcing the mandate.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 1, 2021

Restaurant groups seek injunction before 80/20 tip rule takes effect Dec. 28

The updated regulation may raise timekeeping concerns for employers, and the National Restaurant Association argues the rule's timing "couldn't be worse for restaurants."

By Ryan Golden • Updated Dec. 21, 2021

McDonald's workers strike in protest of alleged sexual harassment

The fast food chain has been embroiled in controversy regarding its culture for some time.

By Kathryn Moody • Oct. 28, 2021

Starbucks will raise hourly wage floor to $15 a year ahead of schedule

The coffee chain's U.S. workers will be paid $15 to $23 an hour next summer, with an average of nearly $17. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 28, 2021

Labor shortage squeezes Popeyes' late night business

Staffing challenges led to about an hour reduction in operating times, particularly during evening hours when checks tend to be higher due to more family business, the company said on an earnings call Monday.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 25, 2021

Reef temporarily shuts down modular kitchens in New York City

The ghost kitchen platform's brick-and-mortar stores are still open in the market, and the modular kitchens were voluntarily closed after permits for those units expired, Reef said in a statement. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 22, 2021

NRA urges mayors to support expanded outdoor dining through winter

Outdoor dining makes up 20% or more of daily sales at 68% of full-service restaurants, but 61% of these operators can only use their outdoor spaces through October, according to the National Restaurant Association. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 20, 2021

In-N-Out refuses to enforce San Francisco's vaccine mandate

The chain, which is calling the health order government overreach, had to temporarily close its only San Francisco location after it refused to check customers' vaccine statuses. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 20, 2021

Report: Takeout and delivery orders expected to increase into the holiday season

Almost two-thirds of diners said they will consider ordering in instead of dining out as the holidays approach, citing their fears of the COVID-19 delta variant, according to a BentoBox survey.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 19, 2021

McDonald's US corporate stores reach gender pay parity

The burger giant currently pays women globally 99.85 cents on the dollar for similar work completed by men, but expects to hit pay parity worldwide in 2022.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 19, 2021

The key to a successful holiday season will be flexible staffing

For small employers, flexibility and adjustable hours are factors to compete on now that workers' demands are changing, writes Sumir Meghani, CEO and co-founder of Instawork.

By Sumir Meghani • Oct. 18, 2021

BLS: Hospitality worker quit rate is more than double national average

Over 890,000 workers left the industry in August, marking a quit rate of 6.8%, and Moody's reports that restaurants will be "forced to increase wages."

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 13, 2021

61% of restaurant operators disagree with vaccine mandate, study shows

Fifty-nine percent of operators believe employees will quit rather than comply with the requirement, but a majority also believe the mandate will make diners more comfortable.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 10, 2021

Chipotle agrees to $8M settlement in manager trainee classification suit

If approved by a court, the agreement — the latest in a string of labor-related settlements at the chain — will end nine years of litigation.

By Kate Tornone • Oct. 7, 2021