Labor and Policy: Page 6

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    PDQ promotes Kep Sweeney to CEO

    Sweeney takes the reins from co-founder Nick Reader as the chicken chain invests in off-premise improvements, including geofencing to trim service times for pickup orders. 

    By • Aug. 4, 2023
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    Permission granted by Pollo Campero
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    How Pollo Campero plans to grow from 90 US units to 250 in 5 years

    Since expanding its customer base beyond its legacy Guatemalan and Salvadoran diners, the concept has gained traction throughout the U.S. 

    By • Aug. 4, 2023
  • Explore the Trendline➔
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Workforce Challenges

    The recovering restaurant labor market is still unstable, marked by growing worker demand and a small talent pool, pressuring businesses to adapt their staffing strategies. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
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    umcher via Getty Images
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    EEOC: Bojangles to pay $20K in sexual harassment, retaliation suit

    Earlier this year, an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission head publicly voiced concerns about sexual misconduct in the restaurant space.

    By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 3, 2023
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    Stephen Brashear via Getty Images
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    Starbucks re-ups commitment to military employees

    The coffee company seeks to smooth out the relocation woes of military families, and provide increased mental health support for veteran workers.

    By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 3, 2023
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    Courtesy of Shift4
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    Shift4 shrinks workforce

    The payments company cut 150 employees in the second quarter, executives said Thursday during an earnings conference call.

    By Caitlin Mullen • Aug. 3, 2023
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Raise the Wage Act draws restaurant industry opposition

    Congress hasn’t raised the minimum wage in 14 years, prompting states and cities to take more aggressive legislative action on wages and conditions.

    By • July 27, 2023
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    Courtesy of Shane Woolley/Restaurant Dive
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    Deep Dive

    It’s not just Starbucks: Why cafes are hotbeds for unionizing

    Workers at dozens of cafes in cities from Seattle to Boston are organizing, a trend experts attribute to low wages, college education and strong social bonds among employees.

    By • July 26, 2023
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    Prostock-Studio via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Fourth

    How to make demand forecasting your competitive advantage

    Learn how to take control of your labor budgets, empower frontline managers and eliminate staffing inefficiencies with AI-powered forecasting.

    By Christian Berthelsen, Chief Technology Officer, Fourth • July 24, 2023
  • The In-n-Out logo is displayed on the front of an In-n-Out restaurant on October 28, 2021 in Pleasant Hill, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    In-N-Out to discipline employees for wearing masks without a doctor’s note

    The policy applies to all store and support associates working in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah, with some exceptions.

    By Ryan Golden • Updated July 21, 2023
  • A worker takes a bowl of processed avocados from a prototype of Vebu's Autocado.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle pilots avocado robot that could halve guacamole prep time

    The Autocado, a robot designed by Vebu at Chipotle’s Cultivate Center, can hold 25 pounds of avocados at a time and cuts, cores and scoops the fruits.

    By • July 12, 2023
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Domino’s strikes deal with Uber Eats through 2024

    The companies will pilot an ordering partnership in four U.S. markets this fall before expanding nationwide. Domino’s will still deliver orders placed through Uber Eats.

    By • July 12, 2023
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    pcess609 via Getty Images
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    H1 2023 marked by 4 layoffs in restaurant tech

    Companies in the delivery, virtual brand and POS platform subsectors grappled with growing losses and corporate restructuring.

    By • July 10, 2023
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    standret via Getty Images
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    DOL recovers $88,000 in wages from Detroit-centered Italian restaurant group

    “A restaurant group in business for more than a few decades must be well aware of the laws protecting the wages of tipped and hourly employees,” a Wage and Hour Division director said.

    By Caroline Colvin • July 10, 2023
  • A Waffle House in Alabama.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Waffle House workers strike over safety at South Carolina store

    Meal deductions are also at the root of a strike at a Columbia, South Carolina, unit. The demonstration is backed by the Union of Southern Service Workers. 

    By • July 10, 2023
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    South_agency/E+ via Getty Images
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    Judge grants temporary injunction against NYC delivery driver pay rule

    The wage rule requires delivery firms to pay workers $19.96 an hour by 2025, the latest development in regulatory battles between aggregators and the city.

    By • Updated July 10, 2023
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    Permission granted by DoorDash
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    DoorDash adds hourly pay option for drivers

    The company’s driver app also includes the ability for couriers to complete an order that will take them to their designated delivery areas. 

    By • June 28, 2023
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    Courtesy of Nextbite
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    Nextbite faces class-action lawsuit over May layoffs

    A worker, whose maternity leave ended two months early, alleges that the virtual brand platform failed to provide notice to laid off employees as required by federal law.

    By • June 27, 2023
  • Picketers outside a Boston Starbucks during a 64 day strike.
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    Permission granted by Boston Starbucks Workers United
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks union plans largest strike yet over Pride decorations

    Roughly 3,000 workers at 150-plus Starbucks cafes could strike over the next week following disputes over LGBTQ Pride decorations at some stores. 

    By • June 23, 2023
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Some Starbucks cafes have removed Pride decor. Corporate says it hasn’t banned the practice.

    Confusion over Pride decoration policy has sparked tension between Starbucks and its union, as major brands like Target and Anheuser-Busch InBev face threats for their pro-LGBTQ marketing.

    By • June 16, 2023
  • The Starbucks logo hangs outside one of the company's cafes in Northwich on 3 July, 2008 in Northwich, England.
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
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    Judge adds $2.7M to jury award in Starbucks race discrimination case

    The White plaintiff, a former regional director, alleged her race played a role in her firing after the company sought to mitigate damage following a 2018 racial profiling incident.

    By Emilie Shumway • Updated Aug. 17, 2023
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    Permission granted by Olo
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    Olo cuts 11% of workforce as losses mount

    Following layoffs impacting 81 workers, former Yahoo executive Joanna Lambert will join Olo as its COO July 5 to help with the company’s strategic reorganization. 

    By • June 14, 2023
  • Potbelly Sandwich Shop in National Harbor, Maryland, taken by Julie Littman of Restaurant Dive
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    Potbelly hires HR, franchising executives

    Lynette McKee will support Potbelly’s transition to a majority franchise system as SVP of franchising, and Patrick Walsh will work as chief people officer. 

    By • June 12, 2023
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Grubhub cuts 15% of staff

    The layoffs come six months after rival DoorDash eliminated 1,250 positions, and follow rising operating and staffing costs, CEO Howard Migdal said.

    By • June 12, 2023
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    Astrid Stawiarz via Getty Images
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    New York City will raise delivery wages to $19.96 in 2025

    This sizable raise for the Big Apple’s couriers follows industry opposition, and is $4 less per hour than the city’s first proposed delivery wage floor.

    By • June 12, 2023
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    Q&A

    Why immigration, tip credit are key political priorities for the NRA

    In the second part of this Q&A, Sean Kennedy, the National Restaurant Association’s EVP of public affairs, talks about labor goals beyond stopping the FAST Recovery Act.

    By • June 5, 2023