Additional labor complaints filed against Chipotle in NYC

Two weeks after New York sued the fast casual chain over Fair Workweek violations, employees from five more locations are filing complaints that the chain failed to provide 14 days notice of schedules. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Sept. 24, 2019

Starbucks to roll out 'enhanced' mental health benefits

The chain's aim to boost these offerings includes mental health training for store managers, employee subscriptions to meditation and sleep app Headspace.

By Riia O'Donnell • Sept. 9, 2019

DoorDash, Uber and Lyft commit $90M to oppose California independent contractor bill

The argument these companies make for the flexibility of gig work comes as contract work becomes a more common way of making a living.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Sept. 4, 2019

How 5 Bay Area restaurateurs are surviving rising operating costs

Real estate pressures and a chef shortage are forcing restaurants to find creative solutions — like covering workers' Uber rides and having chefs serve diners — to protect their bottom lines and retain talent.

By Rosie Bradbury • Sept. 3, 2019

McDonald's urged by local governments to bolster anti-sexual harassment training

More than 100 local officials from 31 states urged the chain to create more stringent workplace policies, and claim that McDonald's workers have filed 50-plus sexual harassment complaints, Reuters reports. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Sept. 27, 2019

Postmates introduces 'health care options,' access to college courses for gig workers

Back in July, Postmates CEO Bastian Lehmann expressed support for "a comprehensive approach" to gig workers that removed classification confusion.

By Jennifer Carsen • Aug. 21, 2019

Minneapolis banned drive-thrus. Will more cities follow?

The ban comes two months after Long Beach, California, imposed a six-month moratorium on drive-thrus and as other cities push to reduce carbon emissions and improve pedestrian safety. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 19, 2019

Qdoba fined over $400K for child labor law violations

The Massachusetts state attorney's office cited more than 200 cases of minors working past the maximum number of hours in a single shift.

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 16, 2019

New York proposes cap on third-party delivery fees

A 10% cap would apply to restaurants with liquor licenses even if they don't deliver alcohol. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 15, 2019

EEOC sues McDonald's franchisee for rejecting applicant over religious beard

The hiring manager told the applicant he would have to shave it to comply with the grooming policy and denied his request to wear a beard net.

By Lisa Burden • July 29, 2019

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