Proposed joint-employer rule could reduce liability for franchised restaurants

The DOL is pushing a four-part test to determine if two entities share liability for labor laws, including overtime pay for individual employees and minimum wage. 

By Ryan Golden • April 3, 2019

Protesters call for Wendy's to end use of unnecessary antibiotics in beef supply chain

U.S. PIRG said the chain has a chance to differentiate itself, but Wendy's will likely not be alone in efforts to remove medically unnecessary antibiotics.

By Emma Cosgrove • April 2, 2019

Crashing the C-suite ceiling: How female restaurant leaders are pushing for more diversity

Even though more women work in the restaurant industry than men, fewer are at the executive level. Brands like Auntie Anne's, Red Lobster, Starbucks and McDonald's hope to change that.

By Julie Littman • April 1, 2019

Darden's animal welfare policy focuses on antibiotic reduction, better treatment

Drawing on consumer concerns, major chains like McDonald's and The Cheesecake Factory have started to switch to antibiotic-free meat and institute policies that reduce harm to animals. 

By Lauren Manning • April 1, 2019

Restaurant's 'guaranteed wage' violated FLSA, 6th Cir. says

However, because the owners worked to understand the law's requirements and relied on an accountant, they were not subject to liquidated damages.

By Lisa Burden • March 27, 2019

McDonald's will no longer fight minimum wage hikes

The fast food chain, whose average starting wage is currently about $10 per hour, says labor is its biggest challenge right now.

By Julie Littman • March 27, 2019

Hawaii legislators contemplate strict plastics ban

Hawaii could become the first U.S. state to implement a ban on restaurants and retailers from distributing plastic packaging and bags, but many operators worry that switching to alternatives will increase costs.

By Alicia Kelso • March 21, 2019

Maryland legislature advances statewide EPS foam ban bill

The legislation would ban foam containers in restaurants and other food service establishments starting next summer. If signed into law, it will be the first such statewide policy in the U.S.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 21, 2019

The blunt truth: Cannabis retail is here

It's a growth industry where the potential is high, but retailers, restaurants and consumers are on a steep learning curve. 

By Daphne Howland • March 21, 2019

Second lawsuit accuses Waitr of paying drivers less than minimum wage

The company's latest labor dispute comes on the heels of accusations that rival DoorDash is using worker tips to supplement their base wages, underscoring larger issues in the segment.

By Alicia Kelso • March 19, 2019

Arby's, Dunkin' among fast food chains to ban no-poach agreements

To avoid class action suits or scrutiny from antitrust enforcement agencies, employers must proactively purge themselves of no-poach practices.

By Morgan Fecto • March 15, 2019

McDonald's bets on 'augmented writing' to curb bias in job descriptions

The tech also is expected to help hiring managers and recruiters write job descriptions that reflect the chain's brand voice.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • March 13, 2019

Restaurants after #MeToo: How this 'wake-up call' is impacting harassment training

The fall of celebrity chefs like Mario Batali and employee walkouts at McDonald's have brought the industry's culture problem into sharp focus, prompting both chains and states to launch mandatory education programs. 

By Alicia Kelso • March 11, 2019

DOL proposes $35K overtime rule threshold

The proposal, which is supported by the National Restaurant Association and International Franchise Association, will have far reaching implications for the restaurant industry and give over 1 million workers access to overtime pay.

By Ryan Golden • March 8, 2019

National Restaurant Association comes out strongly against 'Raise the Wage Act'

The group argues that raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour would hurt small businesses and suppress job creation.

By Alicia Kelso • March 7, 2019

Mario Batali is no longer in the restaurant business

The celebrity chef has given up his stake in Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group following backlash incited by sexual misconduct allegations, and will no longer profit from the 16 restaurants the firm manages.

By Julie Littman • March 6, 2019

Bartender told to dress 'date-ready' gets $80K settlement

The restaurant also agreed to provide her with a positive written job reference and to allow EEOC to conduct a workplace climate survey.

By Riia O'Donnell • March 5, 2019

NYC bills would limit fast food firings

One proposal would ban employers from letting workers go without "just cause"; another would require that layoffs occur in reverse order of seniority.

By Lisa Burden • Feb. 26, 2019

IHOP franchises to pay $700k, create HR department after sex harassment suit

When workers come to a manager, a supervisor or HR with a complaint, it generally benefits the employer if that complaint is handled with care.

By Katie Clarey • Feb. 25, 2019

NYC crackdown slows momentum of CBD-infused food and drink

Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive marijuana extract, has been tapped as a top restaurant trend for 2019. But the FDA has halted sales in some markets — leaving operators confused about the category's future. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 25, 2019

NYC bans discrimination based on hairstyle

The guidance from the New York City Commission on Human Rights makes it illegal for restaurants and other employers to fire workers, noting black workers' right to wear natural, treated or untreated hairstyles.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Feb. 21, 2019

Just Eat to drop restaurants with a 'zero' hygiene rating

The food delivery platform will invest $1.3 million in helping partner businesses improve food safety protocol after a BBC investigation found rodent carcasses and droppings at some locations. 

By Kevin Whiteley • Feb. 21, 2019

Jury awards KFC employee $1.5M for non-private lactation room

The office in which the plaintiff was permitted to pump allegedly had a window through which co-workers watched her.

By Morgan Fecto • Feb. 15, 2019

Franchising sector says Browning-Ferris cost it $33B annually

The Obama-era standard has exponentially increased franchisors' compliance burden and liability exposure.

By Jennifer Carsen • Feb. 6, 2019

Food for thought: Combating rising restaurant labor costs

Restaurants need to focus on retention, menu engineering and new technologies to better manage rising wages, says BDO's Adam Berebitsky.

By Adam Berebitsky • Feb. 5, 2019