Restaurants win $28.6B relief fund in Biden's stimulus. Here's how it works.

Restaurants won't have access to grants until at least next month, Patrick Kelley, associate administrator for the Small Business Association's Office of Capital Access, told a Senate committee Wednesday. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated March 26, 2021

Restaurant job growth, sales boost from stimulus checks hint at recovery

The $1,400 stimulus checks that are part of President Joe Biden's COVID-19 relief package could lift restaurant sales by low- to mid-single digits for up to seven weeks, per Bloomberg Intelligence.

By Alicia Kelso • March 9, 2021

CDC: On-site restaurant dining leads to increased rate of COVID-19 cases, deaths

The National Restaurant Association criticized the latest research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, calling it "an ill-informed attack on the industry hardest-hit by the pandemic." 

By Alicia Kelso • March 8, 2021

Report: QSR workers in Los Angeles County vulnerable to COVID-19 exposure

At least 59 outbreaks were reported at QSRs between July and December 2020, impacting about 338 workers, per research from UCLA and UC Berkeley.

By Alicia Kelso • March 5, 2021

Chipotle will tie 10% of executive incentives to environmental, diversity goals

The company aims to source 37 million pounds of organic, locally grown produce this year and promote more women and people of color above the restaurant level.  

By Julie Littman • Updated March 4, 2021

Chipotle to settle 2017 overtime dispute with $15M payout

Plaintiffs alleged Chipotle switched employees who were eligible for overtime back to "exempt" status while an injunction related to the The Fair Labor Standards Act, which expanded overtime rules, was in place.

By Alicia Kelso • March 3, 2021

Texas, Mississippi and Massachusetts reopen dining rooms at 100% capacity

The states cite a reduction in cases and hospitalization rates and increased access to vaccines as cause for removing restrictions, but a CDC official says it may be too soon. 

By Julie Littman • March 3, 2021

McDonald's CEO calls for updates to workplace safety policy

Tasking four of the company's top leaders with updating its brand standards on the issue, and taking employee and franchisee feedback into account, could help further address the chain's culture issues. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 2, 2021

NRA among largest food donors to campaigns and lobbyists, study finds

According to nonprofit Feed the Truth, the association is the second largest food industry funder of political campaigns. Contributions, however, fell to a low in 2020 of $438,000 — down from more than $600,000 in 2018.

By Christopher Doering • Feb. 25, 2021

Biden prioritizes small businesses with new PPP rules

Starting Wednesday, the White House will institute a 14-day period during which only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for loans through the federal program.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 22, 2021

California proposes $2B in grants for restaurants, small businesses

The Golden State's $9.6 billion COVID-19 relief package includes $25,000 grants for businesses impacted by the pandemic and two years of fee relief for restaurants and bars that have alcohol licenses.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 22, 2021

NRA, One Fair Wage release dueling studies on minimum wage policy

The reports reflect the sharp divide over whether raising restaurant employee pay and ending the tip credit is necessary to stabilize income and ensure equity or if it will cripple the recovering industry. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 19, 2021

Dave & Buster's sues Gov. Andrew Cuomo over 'arbitrary' arcade closures

The chain is frustrated that New York's COVID-19 restrictions have forced it to close while bowling alleys and casinos have been allowed to reopen.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 18, 2021

McDonald's links 15% of executive bonuses to hiring women, diverse employees

The pledge follows a series of discrimination lawsuits filed by Black franchisees, which allege corporate intentionally steered Black operators toward underperforming stores. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 18, 2021

Jimmy John's to pay $1.8M to settle overtime pay dispute

Sixty-six store managers employed by the sandwich chain will receive payment, while more than 500 managers employed by franchisees will be given gift cards as part of a settlement approved Monday. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 17, 2021

Hospitality industry nabs $18B in latest PPP loan round

Restaurants and hotels received the most Payment Protection Program loans of any business segment so far in 2021, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 12, 2021

NRA: Why we oppose the Raise the Wage Act

It's the wrong proposal at the wrong time for the restaurant industry, EVP of Public Affairs Sean Kennedy writes, arguing hiking labor costs and eliminating the tip credit would further destabilize operators and employees. 

By Sean Kennedy • Feb. 9, 2021

One Fair Wage: Why we support the Raise the Wage Act

Saving restaurants has to include saving our workforce, and envisioning a future where the true cost of food and service is fair and just, Victor Love, co-owner of Josephine's Southern Cooking, writes. 

By Victor Love • Feb. 9, 2021

Luckin's fall from grace capped by bankruptcy filing in US

Months after admitting to securities fraud, the Chinese coffee chain — which first surpassed Starbucks' footprint in China in 2019 — will not have to close its stores in the market.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 9, 2021

Report: Majority of Black servers' tips dropped by at least half during pandemic

Seventy-three percent of Black workers also said customers tipped them less for enforcing safety protocols, versus 62% of White workers, according to a One Fair Wage survey. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 8, 2021

Senate passes budget amendment for restaurant relief fund

Following a 90-10 vote in favor of the Restaurant Rescue Plan on Thursday, Congress introduced the Restaurants Act of 2021, which is modeled after last year's legislation.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Thai Phi Le • Feb. 5, 2021

Nearly 60% of casual operators have added outdoor dining since March, report says

Outdoor dining has limitations, however, as most diners said the lowest temperature they will tolerate to eat outside, on average, is 60.5 degrees.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 2, 2021

House releases details about proposed $25B restaurants grant fund

Businesses can apply for grants of up to $10 million, with a cap of $5 million per location. Restaurants that earned less than $500,000 in revenue in 2019 can access a pot of $5 billion.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Feb. 10, 2021

Companies denied PPP forgiveness can take tax credit, IRS says

A change Congress made in December allows the credit for some PPP loan recipients.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 29, 2021

McDonald's CEO: Chain will do 'just fine' with higher wages

During the company's Q4 call Thursday, CEO Chris Kempczinski said McDonald's has been able to balance pay due to judicious menu pricing and productivity savings. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 29, 2021