Biden calls for grants to support restaurant industry

During an economic roundtable Tuesday, the president-elect said aid for restaurants struggling to keep their doors open amid the pandemic "should not be a loan, it should be a guarantee."

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 3, 2020

Report: Restaurant workers face increased sexual harassment amid pandemic

Nearly 80% of restaurant workers report experiencing or witnessing hostile behavior from customers in response to enforcing COVID-19 protocols, according to a One Fair Wage report. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 2, 2020

DoorDash settles lawsuit over old tipping model for $2.5M

The agreement follows a November 2019 lawsuit filed by the Washington, D.C., attorney general's office, which alleged the company misled consumers to believe their tips would increase drivers' pay. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 25, 2020

IRS reiterates PPP-paid expenses not deductible if loan forgiven

Lawmakers will seek to reverse the guidance in upcoming legislation.

By Robert Freedman • Nov. 23, 2020

LA County joins Oregon, New Mexico in banning outdoor dining

No on-premise dining is allowed in the California county for at least three weeks as COVID-19 cases surge. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 23, 2020

DC allocates $35M for restaurants as new restrictions loom

Area restaurants are still open for indoor dining at 50% capacity, but Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a press conference earlier this week the district could soon put new restrictions in place.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 20, 2020

&pizza commits to a $15 minimum wage by 2022

The chain has pushed for higher wages since its launch in 2012. This marks one of its many progressive initiatives, including providing raises and extra benefits during the pandemic.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 19, 2020

Starbucks boosts employee pay as US wages rise

The coffee giant will hike wages at least 10% for baristas, shift supervisors and cafe attendants hired on or before Sept. 14. Starting pay will also be raised 5%.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 19, 2020

PPP helped some employers but more action is needed, researchers say

The researchers stopped short of drawing conclusions on the program's effectiveness.

By Aman Kidwai , Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 16, 2020

Lettuce Entertain You warns of over 1K layoffs

The largest hospitality company in Chicago filed notice of potential job losses at 25 restaurants in mid-October, two weeks before Illinois suspended indoor dining in the city. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 16, 2020

Washington joins several states in weeks-long dining room bans as coronavirus cases surge

Oregon, New Mexico and Michigan have also temporarily closed indoor dining, which could put more restaurants that were starting to see signs of recovery at risk of permanent closures. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 16, 2020

How Biden's policies on immigration, unions could impact restaurant operations

The incoming administration is calling for doubling OSHA investigators and a restart package that could help business owners cover costs, such as plexiglass and PPE, to operate safely during the pandemic.

By Aman Kidwai • Nov. 12, 2020

Casual dining sales down 60% compared to 80% loss in March, study shows

The upcoming holidays could provide a tailwind — Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day both saw spikes in sales of up to 306%, but sales dropped dramatically in the 48 hours afterward, according to an Upserve report.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 12, 2020

Full-service restaurants 'particularly risky' for COVID-19 spread, study finds

New research from Stanford University and Northwestern University also suggests that full lockdowns aren't necessary to control the virus, and that masks, social distancing measures and reduced capacity all work.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 11, 2020

Chicago announces 15% delivery cap on heels of $10M restaurant grant program

The limit took effect Monday, and delivery platforms that violate the new standard will be fined between $1,000 and $2,000 per offense.

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Nov. 24, 2020

California's Proposition 22 passes in major win for food delivery companies

Uber, DoorDash, Postmates and Instacart contributed $200 million to support the measure in the state, which preserves their business models of hiring drivers and independent contractors instead of employees. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Nov. 4, 2020

McDonald's franchisees face more COVID-19 OSHA complaints

Two McDonald's employees in Chicago filed separate OSHA complaints claiming they were pressured to work while sick and that proper coronavirus protections were not followed. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 3, 2020

San Francisco promises $4M to small businesses as it shutters indoor dining

The city's funding will include $500,000 for restaurants to buy equipment and "reconfigure space to meet social distancing requirements" and $500,000 for zero-interest loans to cover operating costs for eateries.

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Nov. 11, 2020

McDonald's settles racial discrimination lawsuit with Black franchisees

The company bought the four restaurants operated by plaintiffs James and Darrell Byrd for $6.5 million, and the Byrds will exit the chain's system.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated June 10, 2021

What we know — and don't know — about PPP loan forgiveness

Financial experts weigh in on what is known, and yet to be known, about the Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness process to try to clear up confusion. 

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 29, 2020

Indoor dining to cease in Chicago Friday

After reaching 40% dine-in capacity on Oct. 1, restaurants in the Windy City must reclose their dining rooms due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 28, 2020

California restaurants seek over $100M in refunds for liquor and health fees

Owners say counties continued to charge for alcohol and health permits, as well as tourism assessments, even while operations were shuttered due to government restrictions.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 27, 2020

North Carolina restaurant group wins business interruption case to recover COVID-19 losses

The group's attorney says this is the first decision in favor of a restaurant business against an insurance company claiming that the pandemic caused a "physical loss." 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 23, 2020

Where the presidential candidates stand on workplace issues

Restaurant Dive and HR Dive are providing an ongoing comparison of the nominees' platforms on topics such as tip credits and minimum wage.

By HR Dive and Restaurant Dive staff • Updated Oct. 23, 2020

Report: Winter weather could undo 2M in job gains from August, September

Restaurants, which added outdoor dining during the summer, will be among the most impacted, especially if they are in markets where average temperatures drop to below 50 degrees by November, Gusto research shows.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 20, 2020