Sales at over 77% of restaurants have declined by 50%

Two-thirds of those surveyed say they are uncertain that takeout or delivery will be enough to sustain their businesses until they are able to reopen, according to a James Beard Foundation report.

By Julie Littman • April 17, 2020

Judge denies McDonald's motion to dismiss $500M sexual harassment suit

The chain had argued the class-action lawsuit's claims were too broad and the allegations at one restaurant couldn't stretch to complaints of systemwide culture issues. 

By Sheryl Estrada • Updated July 21, 2021

San Francisco caps food delivery commissions at 15%

An emergency order from Mayor London Breed makes San Francisco the first city to set limits on what third-party delivery platforms can charge restaurants. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 14, 2020

Independent restaurants grapple with layoffs, but fight to survive

Establishments like Beast in Oregon and Agave Uptown in California talk about the devastating decisions to let employees go or furlough staff during coronavirus.

By Julie Littman • April 14, 2020

Shutdown-impacted businesses taking PPP loans may risk losing CARES Act tax benefits

Until rules are out, it's not clear paying expenses with stimulus loan funds will help your business come tax time.

By Robert Freedman • April 13, 2020

Independent Restaurant Coalition asks Congress to extend Paycheck Protection Program

The group says the initiative's eight-week time frame isn't long enough and wants it to be lengthened to three months to help businesses stay open when they reopen.

By Julie Littman • April 7, 2020

States push legislation to protect restaurants with business interruption insurance

Legislators in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Ohio drafted bills that would force insurers to cover establishments that have shut down due to COVID-19.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 7, 2020

McDonald's rolls out wellness checks, will test employee temperatures

The company and its franchisees will ask workers a series of health-related questions before they can clock in for shifts.

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 2, 2020

Postmates couriers are employees, New York appeals court finds

Laws generally are evolving to make it more difficult for companies to establish gig worker status — a change many businesses, especially food delivery companies, are fighting.

By Jennifer Carsen , Emma Liem Beckett • March 31, 2020

5 things to know about the new coronavirus paid leave law

A number of small businesses are "despondent," one source told HR Dive. But there's hope the federal government could soften the the law's impact.

By Ryan Golden • March 30, 2020

President signs $2T coronavirus stimulus package, 'a first step' in helping restaurants recover

With an expansion of unemployment benefits and direct payments to individuals and families, some relief is on the way for many restaurant workers. 

By Julie Littman • Updated March 27, 2020

McDonald's reportedly pushed against sick leave provision in coronavirus package

The chain is concerned the package — which requires companies with 50 to 500 employees to give workers two weeks paid sick leave — will hurt its franchisee profitability, according to Business Insider. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 19, 2020

NRA predicts $225B loss for restaurants, urges federal economic aid

The association is pushing for a $145 billion restaurant and food service recovery fund to pay employees and help operations, as well as assistance that allows businesses to defer mortgage, lease and loan obligations.

By Lauren Manning • March 19, 2020

&pizza's coronavirus response plan: Pay workers more, not less

As restaurants across the country lay off workers in droves, the Washington, D.C.-based pizza chain has raised hourly pay $1 and is developing plans to keep staff fully employed even if its stores temporarily close. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 18, 2020

Will COVID-19 usher in permanent restaurant paid sick leave benefits?

The restaurant industry is notorious for a lack of paid sick leave policies for foodservice workers. Some experts think policy changes during the outbreak could make these improvements last.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 17, 2020

States are mandating restaurant closures. Here's 3 ways brands can prepare.

Whether a restaurant is closing just its dining rooms or halting operations completely, lease agreements, perishable inventory and off-premise strategy will need to be assessed to weather COVID-19's impact. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 16, 2020

Starbucks offers 'catastrophe pay' to workers impacted by coronavirus

The temporary benefit includes 14 days of paid sick leave for workers diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19, and also for those who are at elevated risk due to age or preexisting medical conditions. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 12, 2020

Postmates will cover coronavirus medical costs for delivery fleet

The delivery platform will also let restaurants in San Francisco partner with it at no cost as foot traffic declines, giving small businesses an opportunity to protect profits as the virus spreads.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 11, 2020

McDonald's corporate stores offer quarantined workers 2 weeks paid leave

Labor advocacy group Fight for $15 wants the company to do more and issued a list of demands, including paid sick leave for all employees and better training on cleaning standards.

By Julie Littman • March 11, 2020

Olive Garden parent adds paid sick leave amid coronavirus concerns

Darden's permanent benefit grants 180,000 employees an hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, and new employees will be able to use accrued sick leave after 90 days on the job. 

By Julie Littman • March 10, 2020

Chipotle to expand paid parental leave, test unlimited PTO

The restaurant chain has been expanding its benefit offerings over the past year, but it has faced scrutiny at the state and local level.

By Aman Kidwai • March 6, 2020

Starbucks predicts coronavirus will gut Q2 comp store sales in China by 50%

Starbucks China's comparable stores sales fell 78% in February, a direct result of temporary store closures due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 6, 2020

NYC Chipotle worker gets job back in sick leave settlement

The employee will also receive $2,500 in restitution, and Chipotle will remove disciplinary marks on her record for using paid sick leave offered under New York City law.

By Lisa Burden • March 4, 2020

Union: Workers at airport Starbucks locations face racial pay gap, LGBTQ discrimination

Starbucks has attempted to make strides to improve equity among its employees, but airport employees are not employed by the coffee chain itself.

By Ryan Golden • March 4, 2020

Union Square Hospitality Group walks back arbitration agreement mandate

The staff contract, which would bar employees from filing class action lawsuits against the restaurant company, was dropped when rumors of a planned protest of the policy arose.

By Lauren Manning • Feb. 26, 2020