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

NYC salmonella cases drop after public letter grades, study says

Research shows that since the scoring system was implemented, outbreaks dropped more than 5% in the city, and now 71% of restaurants earn A's. 

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 27, 2018

How will restaurants contend with rising minimum wages?

About 20 states are set to increase their minimum wage on Jan. 1, including Arkansas and Missouri, which turned out a record number of voters. 

By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 21, 2018

CDC warns restaurants from serving romaine as illnesses add up

A year after a massive recall of the crunchy green, the agency is cautioning against its consumption as they investigate E. coli infections that have so far sickened 32 people from 11 states and hospitalized 13.

By Cathy Siegner • Nov. 21, 2018

Chipotle rehires manager who asked black men to prepay

The incident sparked extensive discussion on Twitter and elsewhere, with some comparing it to an April incident at a Philadelphia Starbucks.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 20, 2018

DOL withdraws contentious 80/20 tip credit guidance

The change in guidance is largely considered good news for employers, simplifying wage and hour tracking for restaurants, in particular.

By Kathryn Moody • Nov. 9, 2018

El Pollo Loco ordered to fix franchisee contracts to open new stores

More than half of the chain's locations are franchised, and operators aren't happy with the company's decision to open corporate-owned stores in close proximity to their longstanding restaurants.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 7, 2018

Google, Harvard use AI to pinpoint foodborne illness sources in real time

The two teamed up with health departments in Chicago and Las Vegas to cull search data for hints of potential food safety breaches, which could alter inspector visits.

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 7, 2018

Move over, teens: Seniors are entering the restaurant workforce

As the labor market shrinks, more quick-service restaurants are hiring older workers looking to cushion retirement funds or battle boredom. 

By Kristine Sherred • Nov. 6, 2018

Applebee's pays $100K to settle transgender hostess' bias suit

EEOC guidance on transgender discrimination has been challenged in court, but the agency continues to enforce its position, suing employers that don't comply with its directive.

By Lisa Burden • Nov. 1, 2018

Pret A Manger to shell out nearly $1M to underpaid New York workers

After settling a similar case in 2014 and amid two simultaneous labeling lawsuits, the U.K. sandwich chain will pay the hefty fine for alleged overtime and hourly wage violations.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 31, 2018

Cava offers employees paid leave to cast a ballot

Workers will get two hours to vote on Nov. 6 — the latest benefit tossed into the ring as chains like Starbucks and Noodles & Company fight to retain talent.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 26, 2018

Washington, DC mandates sexual harassment training for restaurants

The D.C. Council also voted to preserve the tip credit, a system some advocates believe is at the root of the industry's history of harassment.

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 19, 2018

All but 2 burger chains fail antibiotics report card

Only Shake Shack and BurgerFi earned As on Chain Reaction's fourth annual antibiotic report, followed by Wendy's with a whopping D-.

By Kristine Sherred • Oct. 18, 2018

Washington, DC becomes the newest battleground over tipped wages

District lawmakers voted to block Initiative 77, a measure approved by voters in June that would raise wages for tipped workers. Now it's up to the mayor to decide the outcome, which could have national implications. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 5, 2018

Trade war spurs a shift in seafood supply chains

Demand for Canadian lobster has grown so much in the past months, the country's airports have had to add new cargo flights.

By Rich Weissman • Oct. 4, 2018

QSR efforts to make healthy kids' meals aren't changing eating habits

New research from the University of Connecticut finds that although more chains are offering options like yogurt and fruit, kids are still eating less-healthy menu items. 

By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 1, 2018

Restaurant managers ignored race harassment, EEOC suit says

Harassment generally becomes actionable when an employer fails to act; that's why manager training is so crucial.

By Lisa Burden • Sept. 24, 2018