Labor and Policy: Page 4
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US Foods wins $11.9M suit against Boston Market by default
A federal judge found Boston Market engaged in bad faith and intentionally avoided engaging with process servers in a lawsuit over unpaid bills.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 1, 2024 -
Chipotle targets Gen Z workers with latest benefits
The chain, whose workforce is 73% Gen Z, hopes to appeal to the demographic’s economic insecurity and hire 19,000 workers by spring.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 24, 2024 -
Qdoba settles claim it failed to provide pay ranges in job ads
The quick-service restaurant ran afoul of Washington state law, the proposed class action alleged.
By Kate Tornone • Jan. 23, 2024 -
California’s $20 fast food wage poses risk and reward, execs say at ICR
Operational changes, value offerings and pricing are key tools in preserving traditional margins as wages rise, leadership from major chains shared.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 23, 2024 -
Starbucks ‘Memphis 7’ dismissal case heads to the Supreme Court
The court will hear Starbucks’ case that the National Labor Relations Board’s injunctions to reinstate several fired baristas were issued under an incorrect standard — a political win for the chain.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Jan. 16, 2024 -
House votes to overturn NLRB’s joint employer rule
The House may disapprove of joint employer, which would increase restaurant franchisor liability for employees, but Senate maneuvering will determine the fate of the rule.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Jan. 12, 2024 -
Deep Dive
7 restaurant industry trends to watch in 2024
Development costs will remain high and service fees could frustrate diners, but personalized offers and labor-saving tech may give brands an edge.
By Emma Liem Beckett , Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Julie Littman • Jan. 10, 2024 -
DOL independent contractor final rule announced, will take effect March 11
The rule largely tracks the agency’s October 2022 proposed rule, adopting a six-factor, “totality-of-the-circumstances” framework for analyzing worker-employer relationships.
By Ryan Golden • Jan. 9, 2024 -
California bistro pocketed thousands in worker tips to pay expenses, suit alleges
The Department of Labor is suing Entre Nous for $500,000 in back wages and damages, and said it misclassified workers as independent contractors.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 4, 2024 -
How the politics of restaurant labor changed in 2023
This year ushered in new regulations about fast food worker pay in California, the end of the subminimum wage in Chicago and a joint-employer rule that puts pressure on franchisors.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 20, 2023 -
McDonald’s to survey franchisees on child labor practices
McDonald’s operators in five states were fined by the U.S. Department of Labor for making minors work longer hours in more dangerous roles than permitted.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 18, 2023 -
Q&A
Cava is bolstering customization through catering, loyalty strategy
The Mediterranean chain is testing restaurant models with expanded kitchen space to support catering and a new, bankable points rewards program to deepen engagement, said CEO Brett Schulman.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 14, 2023 -
McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Wendy’s franchisees face ‘convict leasing’ suit in Alabama
Incarcerated workers are suing Alabama and employers, including franchisees of major restaurant chains, over an alleged system of coerced labor.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 14, 2023 -
DoorDash pauses some NYC driver perks, plans to raise fees
After a judge dismissed an appeal against a delivery driver minimum wage law last week, DoorDash will pay its drivers $29.93 per hour of active time, excluding tips, in the Big Apple.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 5, 2023 -
McDonald’s asks SCOTUS to hear no-poach case
A group of former employees sued in 2018, alleging that hiring restrictions between the fast food chain and its franchises constituted a “per se” violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
By Ryan Golden • Dec. 4, 2023 -
Papa Johns will pay $175K to settle ADA claim involving service dog
The worker was not allowed to bring to work the dog he needed for his commute — despite running the accommodation past the store manager ahead of time, according to the complaint.
By Emilie Shumway • Dec. 4, 2023 -
New York judge tosses delivery firms’ effort to overturn $17.96 wage
After a judge denied appeals efforts from Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub, New York City says the companies must pay drivers $17.96 an hour in their next pay cycles.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 1, 2023 -
How 5 restaurant chains are preparing for $20 wage in California
Brands like McDonald’s and Chipotle are planning menu price hikes and investing in operations and tech improvements to offset higher labor costs.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 30, 2023 -
A Taco Bell worker reported a party where co-workers were ‘openly having sex.’ Employees retaliated and HR did nothing, a lawsuit alleges.
An employee said she was told to transfer locations after reporting threats of harassment to human resources.
By Ginger Christ • Nov. 28, 2023 -
Starbucks introduces oversight committee to improve governance
The coffee chain said the Environmental, Partner and Community Impact committee will help improve its supply chain operations and employee relationships.
By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 27, 2023 -
Starbucks unionization efforts
Labor federation nominates 3 Starbucks board candidates
The Strategic Organizing Center’s nominations, which include a former chair of the National Labor Relations Board, mark a new front in Starbucks’ union saga.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 22, 2023 -
Digital payments have increased restaurant tips. But is it backfiring?
Some diners feel pressured by tipping digitally in front of employees, which can hurt restaurant traffic, but experts say there are best practices that can ease customer trepidation.
By Danielle McLean • Nov. 21, 2023 -
Presto lays off 17% of global workforce
The staff reduction, which may impact around two dozen employees, is part of the technology company’s strategy to reduce costs, boost profitability and streamline operations.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 17, 2023 -
‘Stop the bleeding’: Why experts say retention is key to restaurant labor profitability
By identifying in-house talent early and scaling employee support, restaurants can reduce churn at lower costs than they would incur hiring new workers, panelists said at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 17, 2023 -
The public dislikes tip pools, Pew finds
Tip pools have proved a controversial wage-and-hour topic, especially when back- and front-of-house staff are both included.
By Ryan Golden • Nov. 17, 2023