DOL proposes $35K overtime rule threshold

The proposal, which is supported by the National Restaurant Association and International Franchise Association, will have far reaching implications for the restaurant industry and give over 1 million workers access to overtime pay.

By Ryan Golden • March 8, 2019

National Restaurant Association comes out strongly against 'Raise the Wage Act'

The group argues that raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour would hurt small businesses and suppress job creation.

By Alicia Kelso • March 7, 2019

Mario Batali is no longer in the restaurant business

The celebrity chef has given up his stake in Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group following backlash incited by sexual misconduct allegations, and will no longer profit from the 16 restaurants the firm manages.

By Julie Littman • March 6, 2019

Bartender told to dress 'date-ready' gets $80K settlement

The restaurant also agreed to provide her with a positive written job reference and to allow EEOC to conduct a workplace climate survey.

By Riia O'Donnell • March 5, 2019

NYC bills would limit fast food firings

One proposal would ban employers from letting workers go without "just cause"; another would require that layoffs occur in reverse order of seniority.

By Lisa Burden • Feb. 26, 2019

IHOP franchises to pay $700k, create HR department after sex harassment suit

When workers come to a manager, a supervisor or HR with a complaint, it generally benefits the employer if that complaint is handled with care.

By Katie Clarey • Feb. 25, 2019

NYC crackdown slows momentum of CBD-infused food and drink

Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive marijuana extract, has been tapped as a top restaurant trend for 2019. But the FDA has halted sales in some markets — leaving operators confused about the category's future. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 25, 2019

NYC bans discrimination based on hairstyle

The guidance from the New York City Commission on Human Rights makes it illegal for restaurants and other employers to fire workers, noting black workers' right to wear natural, treated or untreated hairstyles.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Feb. 21, 2019

Just Eat to drop restaurants with a 'zero' hygiene rating

The food delivery platform will invest $1.3 million in helping partner businesses improve food safety protocol after a BBC investigation found rodent carcasses and droppings at some locations. 

By Kevin Whiteley • Feb. 21, 2019

Jury awards KFC employee $1.5M for non-private lactation room

The office in which the plaintiff was permitted to pump allegedly had a window through which co-workers watched her.

By Morgan Fecto • Feb. 15, 2019

Franchising sector says Browning-Ferris cost it $33B annually

The Obama-era standard has exponentially increased franchisors' compliance burden and liability exposure.

By Jennifer Carsen • Feb. 6, 2019

Food for thought: Combating rising restaurant labor costs

Restaurants need to focus on retention, menu engineering and new technologies to better manage rising wages, says BDO's Adam Berebitsky.

By Adam Berebitsky • Feb. 5, 2019

Starbucks gets high marks for equity efforts, but work remains, report says

Eliminating bias in the workplace is a continuous process that goes beyond a one-time diversity training session.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Feb. 1, 2019

Dems introduce $15 minimum wage bill

The Raise the Wage Act of 2019 also would do away with the tipped minimum wage and the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities.

By Katie Clarey • Jan. 18, 2019

Government shutdown throws a wrench into restaurant hiring

The fast-food industry has been hit especially hard by the labor shortage in an employee-driven job market, and the shutdown has only exacerbated issues.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Jan. 11, 2019

California could ban paper receipts by 2022

The proposed legislation would require restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses to provide digital receipts unless customers request a paper one.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 10, 2019

Chipotle claims 'immediate harm' caused by arbitration proceedings

Despite the company's request, a federal judge has refused to block arbitration proceedings until related litigation concludes.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 28, 2018

Our 7 best stories of 2018

As we begin the new year, Restaurant Dive is taking a look back at our top stories since our launch on Oct. 1.

By Restaurant Dive staff • Dec. 21, 2018

Subway franchise pays $80K to settle claims that manager offered teens work for sex

In light of the #MeToo movement — and EEOC's related enforcement — many employers are reviewing their sexual harassment prevention efforts.

By Lisa Burden • Dec. 20, 2018

How restaurants are using benefits to win in a tight labor market

The industry is experiencing the fastest quitting rate among U.S. workers in 17 years, driving companies like McDonald's and Starbucks to roll out non-traditional perks to retain talent. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 17, 2018

Court advances KFC employee's claim that lactation room wasn't private

The plaintiff claims she was forced to pump in an office that had a video camera and a window through which co-workers could — and did — watch her.

By Lisa Burden • Dec. 13, 2018

It's not easy being green: Romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak rattles food, grocery industries

The FDA's decision to request that the popular green gets pulled from shelves sent "a strong message" to the produce sector, according to a former agency official, while costing supermarkets millions of dollars in losses.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 10, 2018

Jack in the Box owners take disputes to court

The National Franchisee Association, representing 85% of the company's restaurants, claims that the chain has failed to provide marketing audits and forced unnecessary repair costs on owners.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 5, 2018

A look back: How the midterm elections did — and didn't — impact restaurants

The dust has settled on the midterm elections, revealing support across the aisle for minimum wage increases, future opportunity in marijuana-infused food and drink and challenges from new animal welfare standards. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 3, 2018

From porn-free to phone-free zones, restaurants look to curb tech concerns

Between Wi-Fi blocks on explicit sites and promotions for customers who put away their phones, eateries are fighting back against technological disruptions.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 30, 2018