Biden's $1.9T stimulus includes $15B grant program for small businesses

The president-elect's plan also proposes a $35 billion investment toward low-interest loan, increasing minimum wage to $15 an hour and ending the tipped minimum wage.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 15, 2021

California Supreme Court rejects Prop 22 lawsuit

Justices declined to hear the case on Wednesday and said the plaintiffs who sought to overturn the ballot measure should file their case in a lower court.

By Chris Teale • Updated Feb. 4, 2021

2021 brings minimum wage hikes in more than 50 states, localities

The changes reflect continued momentum for wage increases at the state and local level, particularly among major U.S. cities.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 13, 2021

COVID-19 outbreak at Colorado In-N-Out locations exceeds 140 cases

While the outbreak is the largest among restaurants in the state, county health officials have no plans to temporarily close either site.

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 7, 2021

Hotels, restaurants to get larger PPP loans

The $228 billion program will permit restaurants that can show a 25% decline or more in gross receipts to apply for loans up to 3.5 times their monthly payroll costs.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 6, 2021

Beef's role in a resilient food system

Beef farmers and ranchers are dedicated to producing beef in a way that prioritizes the planet, people, animals and progress. A food supply balances efficient production with environmental, social and economic impacts.

Jan. 4, 2021

DOL seeks to delay regs allowing non-tipped workers into tip pools

The agency also opened a public comment period, inviting stakeholders to offer input through April 17.

By Kate Tornone • Updated Feb. 3, 2021

Chipotle won't mandate employees to get the coronavirus vaccine

CEO Brian Niccol also told CNBC the company will pay for costs associated with the vaccine and will strongly encourage employees to get it. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 23, 2020

5 questions to ask before adopting a coronavirus vaccine policy

While the EEOC all but confirmed employers may require proof that employees have received the COVID-19 vaccine, incentives and education may be preferable to mandates.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 22, 2020

CDC recommends restaurant workers for early round of COVID-19 vaccine

Quick vaccinations could help jumpstart the industry and get more employees back to work, but questions about when inoculations will occur, and if they will have an impact on restrictions, remain unanswered.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 21, 2020

Top 10 employment lawsuits that impacted restaurants in 2020

Pandemic disruption hasn't stopped employment-related lawsuits from showcasing ongoing labor issues, from sexual harassment to gender and race discrimination, that still plague the industry. 

Dec. 21, 2020

Restaurants left out of new $900B COVID-19 relief package

The Independent Restaurant Coalition said $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program funding will give Congress time to negotiate a more substantial plan in January, but it noted "the bill falls woefully short."

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Dec. 22, 2020

NYC passes 'just cause' job protections for QSR employees

Two bills passed Thursday, with one stating employers must take disciplinary steps before termination and the other requiring seniority be considered during layoffs. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 18, 2020

DC approves rehiring bill for hospitality workers

Restaurants, with some exceptions, will be required to send job offers to employees they laid off during the pandemic when their jobs become available again, per a bill passed by the city council. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 18, 2020

Luckin Coffee hit with $180M SEC fine

The company misstated earnings and revenue to suggest it was achieving rapid growth and increased profitability when it wasn't, the Securities and Exchange Commission says in its settlement agreement. 

By Robert Freedman , Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 17, 2020

NRA, delivery companies develop nationwide framework that could ease tensions

The seven principles, which address issues such as transparency, food safety and alcohol delivery, mark the first time the two parties have come together to create guidelines to shape public policy.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 17, 2020

As winter looms, NYC restaurants shutter indoor dining once again

The NYC Hospitality Alliance said in an email the ban "is at odds with the State's own data that’s been presented as driving these decisions, and it will be the last straw for countless more restaurants and jobs." 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 14, 2020

Automatic gratuities aren't tips under the FLSA, 4th Cir. says

Employers may pay tipped employees a reduced hourly wage and use a tip credit to satisfy the FLSA's requirements, but President-elect Joe Biden plans to abolish the tip credit in favor or a $15 minimum wage. 

By Katie Clarey • Dec. 11, 2020

Massachusetts restricts table size, dining duration — not capacity

The state's new mandates, which also require diners to wear masks when they aren't eating or drinking, are much more relaxed than the on-premise dining bans issued by other states.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 10, 2020

Restaurant closures exceed 110K, NRA says industry 'cannot wait for relief'

Eighty-seven percent of full-service restaurants reported an average 36% decline in sales, and 83% predict sales to be even worse throughout the next three months, according to a National Restaurant Association survey. 

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 8, 2020

DoorDash hit with cease-and-desist letter from DC attorney general

The company has decided not to charge D.C. restaurants their contractual DashPass rates at this time following a warning from the District that doing so could put the aggregator in breach of a local delivery fee cap.

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Dec. 10, 2020

Smashburger settles racial harassment claims

The agreement calls for the restaurant to revise its anti-discrimination policies and implement training for supervisors, management and HR.

By Lisa Burden • Dec. 4, 2020

Judge limits LA County ban on outdoor dining to 3 weeks

The ruling states the county didn't provide enough evidence on why it felt outdoor dining presented a greater risk to the spread of coronavirus and will end the ban on Dec. 16. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Dec. 10, 2020

Cheesecake Factory pays $125K SEC fine over 'misleading' COVID-19 disclosures

The agency claims the chain reported in regulatory filings it was "operating sustainably," but didn't disclose it was burning $6 million in cash per week.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 4, 2020

Del Taco to pay $1.25M to settle sexual harassment lawsuit

The settlement is among the largest financially of the year for sexual harassment cases based on a search of EEOC database in 2020. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 4, 2020