Labor and Policy: Page 35

  • Image attribution tooltip
    Fotolia
    Image attribution tooltip

    Restaurateur charged with fraud over PPP loan application

    David Staveley claimed he had dozens of employees at three restaurants. He only owned two, and neither was open when the coronavirus pandemic hit, the Justice Department found.

    By Dan Ennis • May 7, 2020
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Max Todorov via Flickr
    Image attribution tooltip

    Famous Dave's parent secures $13M PPP loan

    After new restrictions on lending were put in place for public companies, BBQ Holdings remained eligible because it is considered a nano-cap business, with a capitalization below $50 million. 

    By Alicia Kelso • May 6, 2020
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Flickr user Mike Mozart
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald's gives 10% bonus to employees working in company-owned stores

    In addition to the bonus pay for working amid the pandemic, an internal memo obtained by Business Insider said franchisees should offer an emergency relief fund. 

    By Thai Phi Le , • May 6, 2020
  • Image attribution tooltip
    DoorDash
    Image attribution tooltip

    DoorDash partners with Pennsylvania AG to extend financial, childcare benefits

    Expanded benefits include financial assistance for Dashers who have tested positive for COVID-19 and for top Dashers who have primary childcare responsibilities for children whose schools and daycares have closed.

    By Alicia Kelso • May 5, 2020
  • A bar that is closed during the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020
    Image attribution tooltip
    "The Image" by spurekar is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Restaurants call on insurers to pay business interruption claims

    Lawmakers and lawyers are getting involved as insurers say COVID-19 isn't covered, while Main Street businesses say they're counting on the proceeds to keep them afloat.  

    By Robert Freedman • May 5, 2020
  • Closed sign outside of a small business during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alabama Extension. (2020). "The image" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
    Image attribution tooltip

    75% payroll rule makes PPP loans useless, business owners say

    Small business owners need help with operational costs, which the government's program fails to cover without risking loan forgiveness.

    By Robert Freedman • May 4, 2020
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Wikimedia Commons
    Image attribution tooltip

    Whataburger to settle allegations that manager was told to hire only white applicants

    Employers cannot rely on customer or client preferences that are discriminatory as the basis for negative employment actions, the EEOC has said.

    By Lisa Burden • May 4, 2020
  • A restaurant asks customers to maintain social distancing during the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
    Image attribution tooltip
    "The Image" by Valereee is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Nearly 50% of Texas restaurants don't want to reopen yet, study shows

    Governor Greg Abbot allowed restaurants to reopen at 25% capacity on Friday, but a Texas Restaurant Association poll found that concerns about rehiring and restocking inventory are keeping operators on the sidelines. 

    By Lauren Manning • May 4, 2020
  • " Creative Commons Ballston COSI" by Ben Schumin is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported (added to CMS 2/25/20)
    Image attribution tooltip
    "Ballston COSI" by Ben Schumin is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Cosi sues SBA for barring it from PPP funding

    The chain argues that the Paycheck Protection Program is a lifeline needed to maintain its business and it shouldn't have been restricted from the loans based on its February bankruptcy

    By Alicia Kelso • April 30, 2020
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Mike Mozart
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chili's to open 300 dining rooms by this weekend

    The company has set up a new strategy that will seat customers two tables apart in states that are easing social distancing restrictions. 

    By • April 30, 2020
  • A sign hanging on a door at a New York City pizza shop during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
    Image attribution tooltip
    "The Image" by spurkar is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    5 practices restaurants can use to keep customers safe

    Operators should maintain social distancing standards, retool their menus and communicate with their guests about what is being done to minimize exposure when dining room closures lift.

    By • April 30, 2020
  • Closed sign outside of a small business during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alabama Extension. (2020). "The image" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Georgia restaurateurs push back against reopening

    Operators of over 120 restaurants in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia, have pledged to keeping their dining rooms closed despite the governor's go-ahead.

    By • April 29, 2020
  • A sign at Muddy Waters Bar & Eatery in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during the novel coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
    Image attribution tooltip
    "The image" by Tony Webster is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    5 steps restaurants should take before bringing back staff

    Before restaurants consider reopening their dining rooms, experts say operators should review payroll practices, rehire based on seniority and develop ways to monitor employee health.

    By • April 29, 2020
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Flickr
    Image attribution tooltip

    California's paid coronavirus sick leave requirement targets big chains

    On April 16 Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order requiring food businesses with more than 500 employees nationwide to provide the benefit to essential workers, including delivery personnel. 

    By • April 28, 2020

  • Lenders get 2nd chance to correct PPP flaws

    Despite some negative press, the first rollout of the SBA program has let some banks prove they can help their customers even in the worst of times, said David Zaring, a Wharton professor of legal studies and business ethics.

    By Anna Hrushka • April 28, 2020
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Hooters of America
    Image attribution tooltip

    Former workers sue Hooters alleging it failed to give proper notice of mass layoff

    The plaintiffs alleged the company violated the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act when it laid off hundreds.

    By Lisa Burden • April 27, 2020
  • Los Angeles LA skyline
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andrew. (2011). "Los Angeles" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
    Image attribution tooltip

    California is paying restaurants to deliver meals to seniors

    The program will reimburse restaurants $16 for breakfast meals, $17 for lunch and up to $28 for dinner. 

    By • April 27, 2020
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Becky Phan
    Image attribution tooltip

    Seattle caps delivery fees at 15% in emergency order

    The city's cap became effective Friday and will remain in place until restaurants can reopen their dining rooms. New York City is also considering a 10% cap. 

    By Alicia Kelso • Updated April 28, 2020
  • A sign outside a restaurant that was temporarily closed during the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alabama Extension. (2020). "The Image" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
    Image attribution tooltip

    LA County to publicly list restaurants with COVID-19 exposures

    Restaurants will join institutions like nursing facilities and shelters tracked by the county's Department of Public Health that have reported positive cases of coronavirus. 

    By • April 24, 2020
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Thai Phi Le
    Image attribution tooltip

    Potbelly will return $10M in PPP funding

    The Treasury Department issued guidance April 23 requesting that publicly traded companies repay their Paycheck Protection Program loans by May 7. Returned funds will be allocated for new loans for other qualified applicants.

    By • Updated April 27, 2020
  • Memo's restaurant in Everett, Washington, during the coronavirus pandemic
    Image attribution tooltip
    "The image" by Cindy Shebley is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    More funding won't fix PPP, restaurant experts say

    The Paycheck Protection Program began accepting applications for its second round of funding Monday. But restaurants that already scored loans from the first round are afraid to cash in thanks to its vague and evolving stipulations.

    By • Updated April 27, 2020
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Industry Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle to pay $25M in largest-ever food safety fine

    The settlement with the Department of Justice stems from the company's foodborne illness outbreaks that sickened more than 1,100 people between 2015 and 2018. 

    By Alicia Kelso • April 22, 2020
  • Restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland, providing takeout and delivery only during the coronavirus pandemic.
    Image attribution tooltip
    "The image" by Elvert Barnes is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Restaurants sue major banks for prioritizing big businesses for PPP loans

    Four class-action lawsuits accuse the lenders of favoring companies that would make them the most money, despite urging small operators to apply. 

    By • April 21, 2020
  • Restaurant in New York City during the coronavirus pandemic
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Anthony Quintano is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    NRA calls for PPP reform, estimates 8M restaurant job losses

    National Restaurant Association is pushing Congress to create a $240 billion restaurant relief and recovery fund, and to change the PPP's loan period, forgiveness restrictions and repayment terms.

    By Lauren Manning • April 21, 2020
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Mike Mozart via Flickr
    Image attribution tooltip

    Shake Shack is returning its $10M in PPP funding

    The burger chain, which laid off or furloughed more than 1,000 employees last week, said Sunday that it has access to capital to fill the gap instead.

    By Alicia Kelso , • April 20, 2020