Labor and Policy: Page 25


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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    PPP runs out of funds for most lenders

    The funding cutoff comes nearly four weeks before PPP was slated to end. Lawmakers in late March extended the program's application deadline to May 31 and gave the SBA until June 30 to close pending PPP applications.

    By Dan Ennis • May 7, 2021
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    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
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    Report: 76% of restaurant workers plan to leave jobs over low wages, tips

    If these workers had a full, stable living wage, 78% said they would stay in their positions, according to a One Fair Wage report. 

    By May 6, 2021
  • Former Vice President of the United States Joe Biden speaking with attendees at the Presidential Gun Sense Forum hosted by Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action at the Iowa Events Center in
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    "Joe Biden" by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    Restaurant Revitalization Fund

    Restaurant Revitalization Fund brings 186K applicants in first 2 days, Biden says

    Roughly 61,700 applications came from businesses with annual revenues of $500,000 or less, "representing some of the smallest restaurants and bars in America," according to the White House. 

    By May 6, 2021
  • restaurant worker PPE
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    dapiki moto. (2020). "New Normal" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Unsplash.
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    Opinion // Restaurant Revitalization Fund

    Restaurant Revitalization Fund promises relief, but may require fast action

    Owners should take every step possible to prepare for the launch of the RRF application portal and to submit applications as soon as they are eligible, attorneys at Jones Walker LLP write.

    By Emily M. Gauthier, Curtis R. Hearn, John W. Zimmer • April 30, 2021
  • Exterior of the Federal Reserve building in Washington, D.C.
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    Anna Hrushka/Restaurant Dive
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    Businesses can only expect limited boost from stimulus checks: Fed study

    Households have channeled federal stimulus checks primarily towards savings or reducing debt, giving businesses just a limited lift from consumer spending, according to the New York Federal Reserve.

    By Jim Tyson • April 28, 2021
  • Teamsters funds sue McDonald's board over handling of Easterbrook exit

    The suit accuses leadership of choosing to pay former CEO Steve Easterbrook after his sexual misconduct to resolve the conflict quickly rather than "face the consequences for the leniency they long exhibited."

    By April 22, 2021
  • Novavax COVID-19 candidate vaccine NVX-CoV2373 administered to first patients in Phase I Clinical Trial
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    Courtesy of Novavax, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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    Biden urges PTO for vaccination, offers SMBs tax credit

    Organizations with fewer than 500 employees will be eligible for the credit, which will offset the cost of PTO for each employee if offered from April 1 to Sept. 30.

    By Katie Clarey , April 22, 2021
  • Judge dismisses OFW lawsuit against Olive Garden parent over tipping policy

    Because One Fair Wage isn't an employee of Darden, it doesn't have standing to challenge its employment practices, a U.S. District Court judge ruled. 

    By Updated Sept. 16, 2021
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    "The image" by star5112 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    $28.6B restaurant relief fund has a cash shortage problem

    Applications for the program open on May 3, but the National Restaurant Association believes money could run out in just a few weeks. 

    By Updated April 27, 2021
  • A banner outside Izzy's Restaurant in Eugene, Oregon, during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
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    "The image" by Rick Obst is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    OpenTable launches restaurant restriction heat map for diners

    The reservation platform will also roll out a hub for operators on Thursday called At Your Service, which includes flow controls to limit the number of covers or parties that can book a reservation.

    By Alicia Kelso • April 6, 2021
  • An example of DoorDash Storefront app service
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    Permission granted by DoorDash
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    Consumer advocacy groups urge FDA to require menu labeling on delivery apps

    The FDA said that these companies likely do not meet the definition of covered establishments under the current requirements. 

    By Alicia Kelso • April 5, 2021
  • A Starbucks employee wears a mask after a store reopens amid the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
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    Retrieved from Starbucks on June 03, 2020
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    Starbucks will use analytics to track promotion decisions in diversity push

    Other initiatives, including the hire of an independent labor economist, come after Starbucks resolved EEOC allegations of discriminatory practices against the chain.

    By April 5, 2021
  • Closed sign outside of a small business during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
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    Alabama Extension. (2020). "The image" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Report: 10% of all restaurants have closed during pandemic

    Chain restaurants with less than 501 locations have closed at a higher rate than independent restaurants, with the largest permanent closure rate — 16.2% — among chains with 51 to 100 units.

    By Alicia Kelso • March 31, 2021
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    Adeline Kon/Restaurant Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Miami 1 year later: Sunshine, loose restrictions spark restaurant real estate frenzy

    The city's balmy climate and open space — combined with the local government's relatively loose COVID-19 limits — insulated its dining scene from the level of revenue disruption suffered by markets like New York City.

    By March 26, 2021
  • A waiter at Temerario in New York City during the coronavirus pandemic in 202
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    As Trump-era tip pool expansion takes effect, DOL delays other proposals

    While provisions prohibiting managers from keeping tips and allowing non-tipped workers into certain tip pools will take effect April 30 as planned, other portions of the rule will be delayed until Dec. 31. 

    By Kate Tornone • Updated April 28, 2021
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    The image by Андрей Бобровский is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    Biden signs PPP extension into law, pushes deadline to May 31

    The law gives the Small Business Administration until June 30 to close pending Paycheck Protection Program applications. 

    By Anna Hrushka • Updated March 31, 2021
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    "IHOP" by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    EEOC: IHOP manager conditioned leave, scheduling on accepting sexual advances

    More harassment claims are filed in the restaurant industry than in any other industry, sources have said.

    By Lisa Burden • March 26, 2021
  • Domino's franchisee to deliver $3M to settle drivers' wage and hour claims

    The plaintiffs claimed they were not reimbursed for their own delivery expenses such as vehicle maintenance and insurance.

    By Lisa Burden • March 25, 2021
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    Adeline Kon/Restaurant Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Washington, DC, 1 year later: Restaurants hammered by protests, insurrection and inauguration restrictions

    While other major restaurant cities struggled to survive pandemic restrictions, District operators also had to contend with government-mandated curfews amid widespread protests and the fallout of the Capitol riot. 

    By March 24, 2021
  • Chicago skyline 2 city profiles
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    Adeline Kon/Restaurant Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Chicago 1 year later: Winter froze restaurant sales amid strict restrictions

    Brutally cold weather is a staple of life in Illinois' restaurant capital, but the coronavirus forced many operators into hibernation, risking the future of one of the most impactful industries in the region.

    By March 22, 2021
  • LA city profile pandemic
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    Adeline Kon/Restaurant Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Los Angeles 1 year later: Restaurants feel abandoned amid 'random' restrictions

    California's aggressive response to the COVID-19 outbreak — including two rounds of months-long outdoor dining bans — put pressure on LA restaurants' bottom lines despite state and county aid.

    By March 19, 2021
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    "The image" by Jernej Furman is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    50% of restaurants plan to incentivize employees to get vaccinated, survey says

    Even after employees are vaccinated, 75% of restaurants said they will keep their safety protocols in place, according to a report from BlackBox Intelligence.

    By Alicia Kelso • March 18, 2021
  • New York city profile pandemic
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    Adeline Kon/Restaurant Dive
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    Deep Dive

    New York City 1 year later: Restaurants faced a 'one-two punch'

    Restaurants in the Big Apple dealt with constantly shifting dining room regulations and a tough winter climate on top of declining sales related to the pandemic.

    By March 17, 2021
  • Seattle profile pandemic
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    Adeline Kon/Restaurant Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Seattle 1 year later: Many restaurants are 'just holding water'

    During the pandemic, downtown eateries are struggling to stay in business with no office workers to serve, while neighborhood spots find ways to appeal to the work-from-home crowd.

    By , Thai Phi Le • March 15, 2021
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    Adeline Kon/Restaurant Dive
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    Deep Dive

    1 year later: How the pandemic impacted 6 major restaurant cities

    In this series, Restaurant Dive explores how Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Washington, D.C., were impacted by local dining room restrictions, COVID-19 cases, weather and restaurant support programs.

    By Restaurant Dive staff • March 15, 2021