Flynn Restaurant Group adopts instant pay across its 1,200 restaurants

The franchise operator has expanded its partnership with DailyPay to improve employee turnover. 

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 5, 2019

Chipotle agrees to $95K payout in sexual harassment suit

A former employee claims he was locked in a walk-in freezer for reporting a sexual harassment incident, adding to a slew of sexual harassment lawsuits hitting the QSR space. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 4, 2019

On the Border settles race claim for $100K and a letter from its chief people officer

EEOC alleged the employer failed to act when employees at the restaurant repeatedly subjected a co-worker to racial slurs.

By Lisa Burden • Dec. 4, 2019

California McDonald's workers win $26M settlement over wage theft

The agreement ends seven years of litigation over pay and hour violations at corporate stores, but this isn't the only class action lawsuit involving the chain.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 25, 2019

ADA lawsuits target physical gift cards

Starbucks appears to be the only major restaurant retailer that provides gift cards with Braille, according to a growing number of ADA-based lawsuits.

By Lauren Manning • Nov. 22, 2019

Class action suit alleges McDonald's manager groped, shoved employee

At the heart of the allegations is McDonald's status as a franchisor, and the consequences that may hold for workers.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 15, 2019

Grubhub threatened with legislative action if it doesn't fix phone order issues

In response, the delivery company is creating a third-party task force to address restaurant complaints about unfair charges for diner calls from Grubhub channels.

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 14, 2019

DoorDash delivery workers earn 12.5% more on average under new pay model

Overall Dasher earnings including tips rose $1.30 in October, the platform's first full month under the payment system, according to a company blog post. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 13, 2019

Subway enforcing 20-year lease agreements to stem store closures, NY Post reports

Franchisees told the publication those who don't renew their five-year leases must complete a corporate questionnaire to try and find replacement operators.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 11, 2019

Buffalo Wild Wings to conduct sensitivity training following alleged racist incident

The company's response appears to borrow from the playbook of employers that have faced similar incidents, like Starbucks.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 8, 2019

Chipotle expands employee benefits to focus on mental well-being

The chain's employees and family now have access to personalized assistance from healthcare experts and financial counseling even if they're not enrolled in the company's medical plan. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 6, 2019

White Starbucks manager fired after Philly incident alleges race bias

The suit follows one of the most significant case studies of corporate social responsibility and HR management in recent history.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 5, 2019

Taco Bell franchisee pays $225K for allegedly requesting too much info from green card holders

It's important to remember that employers cannot impose different or more stringent employment requirements on the basis of citizenship status or national origin.

By Jennifer Carsen • Oct. 28, 2019

Predictive scheduling laws — meant to protect workers — appear to be working

Restaurants should take compliance seriously, as treating employees unfairly could turn off diners that are increasingly concerned about workplace culture, according to the Harvard Business Review. 

By Riia O'Donnell , Kate Tornone , Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 21, 2019

Arkansas Pei Wei ignored complaints of managers' sexual harassment, EEOC alleges

The sexually hostile work environment the managers created forced two workers to quit, the agency alleged in its lawsuit.

By Riia O'Donnell • Oct. 21, 2019

Chipotle dishes up degree program to prepare workers for '21st century' jobs

Unlike its guacamole, the benefit will come at no cost. The restaurant will cover 100% of tuition costs for 75 types of business and technology degrees.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett , Katie Clarey • Oct. 17, 2019

Domino's franchisee delivers $800K settlement in drivers' underpayment suit

The settlement highlights a number of concerns — including tip credits and uniform deductions — that employers should note.

By Jennifer Carsen • Oct. 15, 2019

Starbucks expands family planning benefits to cover surrogacy, insemination

The additional reimbursement comes just a month after the coffee chain expanded its mental health benefits.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 9, 2019

Domino's ADA ruling to spur industry compliance

The Supreme Court's refusal to hear an appeal from the pizza chain regarding accessibility issues with its website could open up other companies to similar lawsuits, critics say. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 8, 2019

DOL takes a second swing at tip credit, pooling regs

The proposal would allow employers who do not take a tip credit against the minimum wage to operate a tip pool that includes employees who don't traditionally receive tips.

By Kate Tornone • Oct. 7, 2019

Worker alleges Taco Bell fired him for refusing to lie his way out of jury duty

An exception to the "employment at will" doctrine protects employees who refuse to participate in an illegal act, court documents noted. 

By Lisa Burden • Oct. 7, 2019

BREAKING: DOL finalizes $35K overtime threshold

The update takes effect Jan. 1 and is perhaps one of the most anticipated rulemakings from DOL.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 24, 2019

Taco Bell lawsuit reflects tech's ADA challenges

A federal lawsuit was filed against Taco Bell last week claiming the company's late-night drive-thru only service is discriminatory against people who can't drive because of sight impairments.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 16, 2019

Noodles & Company introduces financial wellness benefits to attract and retain talent

When organizations provide their workers financial assistance, they not only help their staff, but they also help their bottom lines, multiple reports have shown.

By Riia O'Donnell • Sept. 16, 2019

Philadelphia chains required to add salt warnings to menus

Restaurants with 15 or more locations must now label items with high sodium content in a move by the city to try to curb high rates of hypertension.

By Lauren Manning • Sept. 16, 2019