34% of restaurant workers experienced more wage theft in 2021, OFW reports

During a webinar hosted by the nonprofit, Department of Labor staff, including Secretary Marty Walsh, spoke about growing wage and hour violations, which impact foodservice more than any other industry.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 21, 2021

Seattle to become the latest city to enact a vaccine mandate to dine out

King County, Washington, will require proof of inoculation or a negative COVID-19 test to enter a bar or restaurant, joining cities like New York City and New Orleans that have similar rules.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 20, 2021

NYC pauses restaurant data-sharing law

The city agreed not to enforce the contested statute until the case filed by DoorDash is resolved, according to court documents filed Monday.

By Julie Littman • Updated Oct. 5, 2021

Muslim Chipotle worker files EEOC complaint alleging assistant manager yanked hijab

The restaurant chain told the Council on American-Islamic Relations that it fired the leader after an investigation.

By Katie Clarey • Sept. 14, 2021

IRC: 82% of restaurants fear they will shutter without Restaurant Revitalization Fund refill

The nonprofit urged Congress to refill the RRF before budget reconciliation talks last week, but the House Committee on Small Business didn't vote on a plan that would add $60 billion to the fund.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 14, 2021

Small Business Administration quadruples EIDL loan cap to $2M

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program previously capped loans at $500,000, and the National Restaurant Association worked with the SBA to help develop requirements that give struggling restaurants more flexibility.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 10, 2021

Feds to require large employers mandate coronavirus vaccine

The requirements will impact some 80 million workers in private sector businesses, in addition to many federal employees and contractors, the White House said.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Sept. 10, 2021

Raising tipped minimum wage could spark job loss, study shows

The National Bureau of Economic Research also finds that hiking the tipped minimum wage would do little to prevent employees from falling into low-income brackets.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 9, 2021

Why aren't restaurant workers coming back? Here's what the data shows.

While operators continue to point to high unemployment benefits keeping workers from returning, various reports show the staffing shortage is much more complicated.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 8, 2021

Shake Shack suspends 4-day workweek perk for managers

The burger chain phased out the program after the pandemic began and will focus instead on hiring hourly workers and raising pay.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 7, 2021

Buffalo, New York-area Starbucks employees move to form a union

If successful, the workers would be the first employees of the company's more than 8,000 locations to unionize.

By Emilie Shumway • Sept. 3, 2021

EEOC: Applebee's told Black line cook to 'ignore' co-workers wearing Confederate flag gear

The agency's allegations offer employers several reminders about dealing with discrimination in the workplace.

By Katie Clarey • Sept. 3, 2021

California bill would allow restaurants to set menu prices on delivery platforms

AB 286 would also require aggregators to show customers and restaurants itemized cost breakdowns of third-party fees and commissions.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Sept. 2, 2021

New research finds higher pay positively impacts customer service

Cornell researchers compared restaurant reviews where minimum wage rose versus where it was stagnant and found an improvement in the perceived quality of service with higher wages.

By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 1, 2021

Chicago accuses Grubhub, DoorDash of deceptive business practices

The city claims the platforms advertise services from non-partner restaurants without their consent and bait and switch customers with steep delivery fees. Both companies deny these allegations.

By Alicia Kelso , Julie Littman • Aug. 30, 2021

New York City Council passes permanent 15% delivery fee cap

Once the legislation is signed into law by Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Big Apple will join San Francisco as the only two cities to make delivery commission caps permanent.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 27, 2021

How New York Gov. Kathy Hochul could impact restaurant workers

One Fair Wage president Saru Jayaraman calls on the new governor to end the subminimum wage for tipped restaurant workers in the Empire State and to offer restaurants grants to ease the transition. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 25, 2021

California judge overturns Prop 22, causing a setback for delivery firms

The judge ruled Friday the law is unconstitutional because it undermines the legislature's ability to grant workers' compensation rights to delivery and rideshare drivers.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 23, 2021

New York City restaurants sue Mayor Bill de Blasio over vaccine mandate

The Independent Restaurant Owners Association Rescue's lawsuit could spark similar litigation across the industry as other cities and restaurants adopt vaccine mandates for indoor dining. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 19, 2021

New York State Restaurant Association president on how Kathy Hochul could shape restaurant policy

Melissa Fleischut talks about the association's experience working with Hochul, what challenges lie ahead for the state's restaurants and how she hopes the incoming governor will help.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 16, 2021

New Orleans vaccine mandate for indoor dining takes effect

The Big Easy's mandate began Monday and could provide a test case for restaurants in San Francisco, which will soon fall under similar regulations. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 16, 2021

San Francisco to require proof of full vaccinations for indoor dining

The city's mandate will begin Aug. 20 for customers and Oct. 14 for employees. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 13, 2021

Chipotle to settle EEOC charges of sexual harassment, retaliation

The worker whom the behavior targeted was fired three days after she said she planned to elevate the issue to corporate headquarters, EEOC said.

By Katie Clarey • Aug. 13, 2021

$1.2 trillion infrastructure bill would strip restaurants of key tax credit

The package, which passed the Senate Tuesday and now awaits review by the House, would end the Employee Retention Credit for small businesses three months early. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 11, 2021

Postmates strikes nearly $1M deal with Seattle over gig worker claims

The city began investigating the aggregator after workers complained that it failed to provide paid sick and safe time, violating a pandemic-era ordinance. 

By Emilie Shumway • Aug. 9, 2021