DoorDash delivery workers to soon receive entirety of customer tips

Under the company's new model, couriers will earn tips independent of base or bonus pay, CEO Tony Xu announced yesterday. 

By Julie Littman , Rosie Bradbury • Updated Aug. 23, 2019

Oregon governor signs laws banning plastic bags, straws

Legislation signed by Gov. Kate Brown last month is the latest in a series of statewide plastic reduction measures to pass this year.

By Cole Rosengren • July 9, 2019

Dunkin' sues franchisees for employment verification violations

The company's move follows terminations of several agreements with franchisees, which collectively operate more than two-dozen units, indicating an increase in oversight related to potential federal labor violations.

By Alicia Kelso • June 27, 2019

3 takeaways from a former Starbucks exec's leadership philosophy

"The people that you hire are going to change your organization," Howard Behar said at #SHRM19 — so companies might as well enable them to do so.

By Kathryn Moody • June 25, 2019

Chipotle's new bonus program includes an extra month of pay

The chain's employee retention play also includes tuition reimbursement, free meals and English as a second language classes once certain goals are met.

By Julie Littman • June 25, 2019

Jury awards $15M to Jack in the Box employee dubbed 'grandma'

A court found the supervisor was subjected to wrongful discharge, retaliation, harassment and age and disability discrimination.

By Lisa Burden • June 21, 2019

Dems urge McDonald's to enforce franchise sexual harassment policies

Lawmakers called the chain's working conditions "unsafe and intolerable" and said its alleged pervasive pattern of harassment must end.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • June 13, 2019

Mexico tariffs could cost Chipotle $15M

CFO Jack Hartung told CNBC that if tariffs, which could be as high as 25%, become permanent, the chain would have to consider increasing menu prices. 

By Julie Littman • Updated June 4, 2019

Manufacturers push for legal clarity at FDA's first public hearing on CBD

The 10-hour meeting was the first step in what could be a yearslong process to establish a legal path to market for food and beverage products with the cannabis compound. 

By Lillianna Byington • June 3, 2019

Chipotle exec: Soft skills, harassment training key to healthy workplace

Director of field training Michele Lange said that quarterly conversations about company culture, zero-tolerance harassment policies and regular trainings are key to success.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 23, 2019

McDonald's launches anonymous sexual harassment hotline

The fast food company also enhanced its anti-sexual harassment policy in the wake of 25 charges and suits that have been brought against it. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 22, 2019

Sweetgreen raises the bar with 5-month paid parental leave policy

"This move is rare for our industry and we hope this creates a conversation for other companies to join," the salad chain said Tuesday.

By Katie Clarey • May 22, 2019

59% of consumers support a $15 minimum wage, survey says

It's unclear how operators could support hefty pay increases with razor-thin margins, or if diners will shell out extra cash to make wage hikes possible. 

By Lauren Manning • May 14, 2019

Golden Corral pays $31K after firing worker for alleged unwillingness to manage seizure condition

The EEOC said the franchisee cited the employee's seizure disorder as a basis for her termination.

By Lisa Burden • May 3, 2019

Sweetgreen reverses cashless-only approach

Following a wave of bans against cashless stores, the salad chain will start accepting cash in Philadelphia in July and chainwide by the end of the year.

By Alicia Kelso • April 26, 2019

Restaurants adding surcharges to cover healthcare costs

Despite the added price, diners have been willing to pay additional fees that go toward employees' healthcare costs, paid time off and other benefits. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 16, 2019

Schools ban meal delivery citing disruption, safety concerns

Some Michigan schools instituted the ban due to safety risks in giving building access to strangers, as well as the potential for allergic reactions or food-borne illnesses from delivered meals. 

By Amelia Harper • April 16, 2019

Why restaurants need to prepare for another government shutdown

To avoid staggering traffic declines, major chains with locations in Washington, D.C. should plan to adjust supply chains and test geofenced promotions, says Factual CMO Brian Czarny. 

By Brian Czarny • April 5, 2019

Marijuana consumption expected to boost restaurant foot traffic, sales

A Technomic report indicated that 63% of cannabis consumers eat more food after use, presenting an opportunity for restaurants to grow revenue. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 4, 2019

Proposed joint-employer rule could reduce liability for franchised restaurants

The DOL is pushing a four-part test to determine if two entities share liability for labor laws, including overtime pay for individual employees and minimum wage. 

By Ryan Golden • April 3, 2019

Protesters call for Wendy's to end use of unnecessary antibiotics in beef supply chain

U.S. PIRG said the chain has a chance to differentiate itself, but Wendy's will likely not be alone in efforts to remove medically unnecessary antibiotics.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 2, 2019

Crashing the C-suite ceiling: How female restaurant leaders are pushing for more diversity

Even though more women work in the restaurant industry than men, fewer are at the executive level. Brands like Auntie Anne's, Red Lobster, Starbucks and McDonald's hope to change that.

By Julie Littman • April 1, 2019

Darden's animal welfare policy focuses on antibiotic reduction, better treatment

Drawing on consumer concerns, major chains like McDonald's and The Cheesecake Factory have started to switch to antibiotic-free meat and institute policies that reduce harm to animals. 

By Lauren Manning • April 1, 2019

Restaurant's 'guaranteed wage' violated FLSA, 6th Cir. says

However, because the owners worked to understand the law's requirements and relied on an accountant, they were not subject to liquidated damages.

By Lisa Burden • March 27, 2019

McDonald's will no longer fight minimum wage hikes

The fast food chain, whose average starting wage is currently about $10 per hour, says labor is its biggest challenge right now.

By Julie Littman • March 27, 2019