Labor and Policy


  • Adam, a robot made by Richtech Robotics, makes an espresso drink at the National Restaurant Association Show in May 2025.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Reporter’s notebook: 3 unanswered questions from the NRA Show

    Can a robot really replace a worker? Will tariffs trigger a recession? Can you charge $14 for a mocktail?

    By May 28, 2025
  • A person wearing black hat and black clothes stands in front of a big sink and is washing a large pan.
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    Juanmonino via Getty Images
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    Independent restaurants urge Congress to exempt service charges from taxes, not just tips

    The “No Tax on Tips” provision in a proposed budget reconciliation package only benefits customer-facing staff, not dishwashers or other back-of-house workers, the IRC said.

    By May 20, 2025
  • A Chuck E. Cheese sign.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Chuck E. Cheese sued by West Virginia workers over sexual harassment, retaliation

     A manager at the family eatertainment brand allegedly retaliated against an assistant manager for reporting sexual harassment of women employees.

    By May 16, 2025
  • A Starbucks worker in a green apron and a black shirt.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks union workers strike over dress code changes

    Baristas at more than 50 cafes have walked off the job over new clothing policies, which they say deviate from agreements made at the bargaining table.

    By May 14, 2025
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks’ employee, algorithm investments show signs of paying off

    Pilot programs last quarter proved workers, not equipment, are the key to solving Starbucks’ low throughput woes, according to CEO Brian Niccol.

    By Bryan Wassel • May 1, 2025
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    lechatnoir via Getty Images
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    Independent restaurants could use pandemic-era strategies against tariffs

    Navigating supply chain challenges under Trump’s fluctuating trade policy will require both flexibility and conservative cost measures, experts and restaurateurs say.

    By Danielle McLean • April 28, 2025
  • A photograph of a brick building with a red sign and white letters that says Chipotle.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle wants its workers to smile for customers

    The restaurant chain plans to improve CX through friendliness. “The fact is smiles down the line don't slow us down,” CEO Scott Boatwright said.

    By Bryan Wassel • April 25, 2025
  • An image of three mobile app images of Uber Eats
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    Permission granted by Uber
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    FTC lawsuit: Uber made it too hard to cancel Uber One subscriptions

    Uber contests the allegations, which include claims the delivery platform signed consumers up without their consent and charged them too early, according to a complaint filed Monday.

    By April 22, 2025
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    Shutterstock

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    Sponsored by Checkr

    4 ways hospitality HR teams are taking the lead

    Hospitality is at a turning point. Here’s how to make HR a key driver of strategic transformation.

    April 21, 2025
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    Araya Doheny via Getty Images
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    Massachusetts slaps Dunkin’, McDonald’s, Subway operators with $226K in child labor fines

    Franchisees allegedly employed minors without proper permits, and kept them working too long and without proper supervision, according to the state attorney general. 

    By April 18, 2025
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Here’s what 7 major restaurants pay their CEOs — and their store-level workers

    The top brass at fast food chains like Starbucks, Chipotle and Yum Brands make tens of millions a year, while their hourly workers’ earnings hover near the poverty line.

    By April 15, 2025
  • A plastic cup for tips stands on the ledge of a food cart.
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    kaarsten via Getty Images
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    One Fair Wage: DC’s tip credit elimination is a ‘success story’

    As federal job cuts loom, employment data shows D.C.’s restaurant workforce is largely steady after the passage of Initiative 82.

    By April 14, 2025
  • A man holds smiles with an open mouth at the camera as he holds up a sign reading "reciprocal tariffs" and listing multiple countries and percentage amounts.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Will restaurants be hit hard by tariffs? 6 experts weigh in

    America’s baseline tariffs and the potential for renewed, country-specific taxes could pose significant problems for the restaurant industry. But analysts and trade groups are split on just how much risk looms.

    By Restaurant Dive Staff • April 14, 2025
  • President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Trump pauses most reciprocal tariffs, hikes China’s further

    The U.S. will now charge a 125% duty on imports from China, while most other countries will be subject to a 10% rate for 90 days.

    By Philip Neuffer • April 10, 2025
  • A worker loads a delivery robot with a DoorDash bag
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    Courtesy of DoorDash
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    DoorDash, Coco to bring delivery bots to Chicago and Los Angeles

    The companies will offer robotic delivery from nearly 600 businesses, as sidewalk bots become a point of competition with Uber Eats and Grubhub.

    By April 10, 2025
  • A photograph of a brick building with a red sign and white letters that says Chipotle.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    ‘It limits you’: Chipotle manager allegedly refused to schedule worker who needed to pump

    The PUMP Act granted federal protections to nursing employees, but working parents may not be aware of what the law provides.

    By Ryan Golden • April 1, 2025
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Why Shake Shack’s founder ties employee experience to CX

    Employees won’t offer customers consistently good experiences unless they like their job and coworkers, according to Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer.

    By Bryan Wassel • March 25, 2025
  • Sandwiches sit on a counter as workers as ingredients.
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    Anna Moneymaker / Staff via Getty Images
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    Restaurants focus on tech, retention as labor market cools

    Speeding up hiring with applicant tracking systems, mobile applications and automated interview scheduling could save time and money, the National Restaurant Association said.

    By March 20, 2025
  • Coffee drips into a white ceramic mug emblazoned with the Starbucks logo
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Brian Niccol’s 6-month update on Starbucks turnaround plan

    The coffee chain’s CEO said investments in store experience are ramping up, but union members say the brand isn’t spending enough on hourly workers.

    By Updated March 13, 2025
  • Patrons at a Chicago Starbucks after the coffee chain on Feb. 25, 2025.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    These 6 restaurant companies have laid off thousands in 2025

    Staff reductions hit every corner of the restaurant industry, from Grubhub’s elimination of 500 workers to Starbucks’ 1,100 corporate job cuts.

    By March 10, 2025
  • An image of a Taco Bell restaurant.
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    Ethan Miller via Getty Images
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    Taco Bell franchisee allowed sexually hostile environment to fester for over 2 months, EEOC says

    EEOC noted in 2024 guidance that an employer who opens an investigation one day after a complaint is made has acted promptly, while one who waits two months “very likely has not acted promptly.”

    By Emilie Shumway • March 6, 2025
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    DoorDash to pay $16.75M in New York tips settlement

    The aggregator did not admit to any wrongdoing in the settlement, which concerned tipping practices terminated in 2019.

    By Feb. 25, 2025
  • A photograph of a black sign that says "Starbucks Coffee Company" in front of a brick building.
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Starbucks lays off 1,100 corporate workers

    The coffee giant is cutting about 6.9% of its non-retail staff, and is shifting corporate hiring to prioritize in-office roles.

    By Feb. 24, 2025
  • Outback Steakhouse exterior
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    Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
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    Bloomin’ Brands lays off 100 corporate employees

    The cuts at its Tampa, Florida, support center represent a 17% reduction and follow corporate layoffs at Dine Brands, Starbucks and Denny’s.

    By Feb. 21, 2025
  • People sit in a coffee shop.
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    Adam Gray via Getty Images
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    Starbucks’ DEI policies labeled ‘discriminatory’ in Missouri attorney general’s lawsuit

    A spokesperson for the chain denied the claims in an email to HR Dive and said Starbucks’ hiring and benefits programs are “open to everyone and lawful.”

    By Ryan Golden • Feb. 19, 2025