Labor and Policy: Page 7

  • restaurant worker PPE
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    dapiki moto. (2020). "New Normal" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Unsplash.
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    Restaurant operators see gig work as labor solution, NRA says

    Finding staff is still a significant challenge for many operators, with 45% of surveyed restaurateurs reporting inadequate staffing to meet demand.

    By • Feb. 6, 2024
  • Individuals posing at a press conference hosted by the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund in San Diego on Jan. 23, 2024, celebrating a $1 million settlement against Cheesecake Factory.
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    Permission granted by Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund
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    Cheesecake Factory, contractors agree to $1M settlement for underpaying 589 janitorial workers

    The resolution includes $750,000 from the restaurant chain and $250,000 from the janitorial contractors accused of wage theft, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office says.

    By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 1, 2024
  • Portillo's team member holds a loud speaker announcing an order is ready
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    How Portillo’s develops its managers to sustain $10M unit volumes

    CEO Michael Osanloo said the chain’s labor model and high unit volumes enable a “virtuous cycle” where sales drive wages and benefits, which in turn drive retention and efficiency.

    By • Feb. 1, 2024
  • A red stop-work order is taped to a Boston Market door.
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    Kate Tornone/Restaurant Dive
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    US Foods wins $11.9M suit against Boston Market by default

    A federal judge found Boston Market engaged in bad faith and intentionally avoided engaging with process servers in a lawsuit over unpaid bills.

    By • Feb. 1, 2024
  • Chipotle workers prepare food
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle targets Gen Z workers with latest benefits

    The chain, whose workforce is 73% Gen Z, hopes to appeal to the demographic’s economic insecurity and hire 19,000 workers by spring. 

    By • Jan. 24, 2024
  • QDOBA Burrito
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    Courtesy of QDOBA
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    Qdoba settles claim it failed to provide pay ranges in job ads

    The quick-service restaurant ran afoul of Washington state law, the proposed class action alleged.

    By Kate Tornone • Jan. 23, 2024
  • Two flags flown by fast food workers demonstrating in support of AB 257.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    California’s $20 fast food wage poses risk and reward, execs say at ICR

    Operational changes, value offerings and pricing are key tools in preserving traditional margins as wages rise, leadership from major chains shared. 

    By • Jan. 23, 2024
  • Branches slightly obscure the facade of the U.S. Supreme Court building April 07, 2023 in Washington, DC
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Starbucks ‘Memphis 7’ dismissal case heads to the Supreme Court

    The court will hear Starbucks’ case that the National Labor Relations Board’s injunctions to reinstate several fired baristas were issued under an incorrect standard — a political win for the chain.

    By • Updated Jan. 16, 2024
  • The results of a roll call vote to pass a measure rejecting the NLRB's joint employer rule
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    Retrieved from The House of Representatives on January 12, 2024
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    House votes to overturn NLRB’s joint employer rule

    The House may disapprove of joint employer, which would increase restaurant franchisor liability for employees, but Senate maneuvering will determine the fate of the rule.

    By • Updated Jan. 12, 2024
  • An in-store bar.
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    Retrieved from Maizano on November 27, 2023
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    Deep Dive

    7 restaurant industry trends to watch in 2024

    Development costs will remain high and service fees could frustrate diners, but personalized offers and labor-saving tech may give brands an edge.

    By , , • Jan. 10, 2024
  • A close-up of the creamy exterior of the Department of Labor building.
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    Caroline Colvin/Restaurant Dive
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    DOL independent contractor final rule announced, will take effect March 11

    The rule largely tracks the agency’s October 2022 proposed rule, adopting a six-factor, “totality-of-the-circumstances” framework for analyzing worker-employer relationships.

    By Ryan Golden • Jan. 9, 2024
  • Sign outside Department of Labor building, Washington, DC
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    Thinkstock via Getty Images
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    California bistro pocketed thousands in worker tips to pay expenses, suit alleges

    The Department of Labor is suing Entre Nous for $500,000 in back wages and damages, and said it misclassified workers as independent contractors.

    By • Jan. 4, 2024
  • Sen. Bernie Sanders address Howard Schultz at a hearing of the Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    How the politics of restaurant labor changed in 2023

    This year ushered in new regulations about fast food worker pay in California, the end of the subminimum wage in Chicago and a joint-employer rule that puts pressure on franchisors.

    By • Dec. 20, 2023
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    chameleonseye via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s to survey franchisees on child labor practices

    McDonald’s operators in five states were fined by the U.S. Department of Labor for making minors work longer hours in more dangerous roles than permitted.

    By • Dec. 18, 2023
  • An image of a customer entering a Cava restaurant.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Cava is bolstering customization through catering, loyalty strategy

    The Mediterranean chain is testing restaurant models with expanded kitchen space to support catering and a new, bankable points rewards program to deepen engagement, said CEO Brett Schulman.

    By • Dec. 14, 2023
  • McDonald's drive thru sign
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Wendy’s franchisees face ‘convict leasing’ suit in Alabama

    Incarcerated workers are suing Alabama and employers, including franchisees of major restaurant chains, over an alleged system of coerced labor.

    By • Dec. 14, 2023
  • An image of a woman picking up a DoorDash order
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    Permission granted by DoorDash
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    DoorDash pauses some NYC driver perks, plans to raise fees

    After a judge dismissed an appeal against a delivery driver minimum wage law last week, DoorDash will pay its drivers $29.93 per hour of active time, excluding tips, in the Big Apple.

    By • Dec. 5, 2023
  • A McDonald's store is shown in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s asks SCOTUS to hear no-poach case

    A group of former employees sued in 2018, alleging that hiring restrictions between the fast food chain and its franchises constituted a “per se” violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

    By Ryan Golden • Dec. 4, 2023
  • A Papa John's sign.
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    Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty Images
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    Papa Johns will pay $175K to settle ADA claim involving service dog

    The worker was not allowed to bring to work the dog he needed for his commute — despite running the accommodation past the store manager ahead of time, according to the complaint. 

    By Emilie Shumway • Dec. 4, 2023
  • Delivery workers rally for higher pay and safer working conditions in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    New York judge tosses delivery firms’ effort to overturn $17.96 wage

    After a judge denied appeals efforts from Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub, New York City says the companies must pay drivers $17.96 an hour in their next pay cycles.

    By • Dec. 1, 2023
  • McDonald’s employee Nidia Torres speaks at a rally of fast food workers and supporters for passage of AB 257, a fast-food worker health and safety bill, on April 16, 2021
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    How 5 restaurant chains are preparing for $20 wage in California

    Brands like McDonald’s and Chipotle are planning menu price hikes and investing in operations and tech improvements to offset higher labor costs.

    By • Nov. 30, 2023
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    Ethan Miller via Getty Images
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    A Taco Bell worker reported a party where co-workers were ‘openly having sex.’ Employees retaliated and HR did nothing, a lawsuit alleges.

    An employee said she was told to transfer locations after reporting threats of harassment to human resources.

    By Ginger Christ • Nov. 28, 2023
  • Starbucks baristas and supporters protest outside a store.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Starbucks introduces oversight committee to improve governance

    The coffee chain said the Environmental, Partner and Community Impact committee will help improve its supply chain operations and employee relationships.

    By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 27, 2023
  • Unionized Starbucks workers outside of cafe
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    Permission granted by Starbucks Workers United
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Labor federation nominates 3 Starbucks board candidates

    The Strategic Organizing Center’s nominations, which include a former chair of the National Labor Relations Board, mark a new front in Starbucks’ union saga.

    By • Nov. 22, 2023
  • A person pays in a restaurant
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    Creative via Getty Images
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    Digital payments have increased restaurant tips. But is it backfiring?

    Some diners feel pressured by tipping digitally in front of employees, which can hurt restaurant traffic, but experts say there are best practices that can ease customer trepidation.  

    By Danielle McLean • Nov. 21, 2023