Labor and Policy
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Courtesy of Starbucks
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 -
lechatnoir via Getty Images
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 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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 -
Permission granted by Uber
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 22, 2025 -
Shutterstock
Sponsored by Checkr4 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 -
Araya Doheny via Getty Images
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 18, 2025 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 15, 2025 -
kaarsten via Getty Images
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 14, 2025 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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 -
Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of DoorDash
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 10, 2025 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
‘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 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
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 -
Anna Moneymaker / Staff via Getty Images
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 20, 2025 -
Courtesy of Starbucks
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated March 13, 2025 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 10, 2025 -
Ethan Miller via Getty Images
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 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 25, 2025 -
David Ryder via Getty Images
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 24, 2025 -
Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
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 Julie Littman • Feb. 21, 2025 -
Adam Gray via Getty Images
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 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
One-third of independent restaurants expect sales declines from tariffs
Comparatively, 40% of small business owners expect no sales impact from U.S. tariffs on China and potential tariffs on Mexico and Canada, according to an Alignable survey.
By Julie Littman • Feb. 7, 2025 -
hapabapa via Getty Images
Boston wants delivery firms to give drivers liability insurance
Under the proposed ordinance, aggregators like DoorDash and Uber Eats would need to meet data-sharing requirements to obtain an operating permit.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 5, 2025 -
Alex Wong via Getty Images
US and Canada agree to 30-day pause on tariffs
The two countries will push back a Feb. 4 enforcement date as they coordinate anti-drug trafficking efforts at their shared border.
By Philip Neuffer • Feb. 4, 2025 -
Manuel Velasquez via Getty Images
US delays tariffs on Mexico to March
The two countries agreed to negotiate over the next month while collaborating on addressing drug and weapons trafficking.
By Edwin Lopez , Philip Neuffer • Feb. 3, 2025
