DOL independent contractor final rule announced, will take effect March 11

The rule largely tracks the agency’s October 2022 proposed rule, adopting a six-factor, “totality-of-the-circumstances” framework for analyzing worker-employer relationships.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 9, 2024

California bistro pocketed thousands in worker tips to pay expenses, suit alleges

The Department of Labor is suing Entre Nous for $500,000 in back wages and damages, and said it misclassified workers as independent contractors.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 4, 2024

How the politics of restaurant labor changed in 2023

This year ushered in new regulations about fast food worker pay in California, the end of the subminimum wage in Chicago and a joint-employer rule that puts pressure on franchisors.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 20, 2023

McDonald’s to survey franchisees on child labor practices

McDonald’s operators in five states were fined by the U.S. Department of Labor for making minors work longer hours in more dangerous roles than permitted.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 18, 2023

Cava is bolstering customization through catering, loyalty strategy

The Mediterranean chain is testing restaurant models with expanded kitchen space to support catering and a new, bankable points rewards program to deepen engagement, said CEO Brett Schulman.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 14, 2023

McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Wendy’s franchisees face ‘convict leasing’ suit in Alabama

Incarcerated workers are suing Alabama and employers, including franchisees of major restaurant chains, over an alleged system of coerced labor.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 14, 2023

DoorDash pauses some NYC driver perks, plans to raise fees

After a judge dismissed an appeal against a delivery driver minimum wage law last week, DoorDash will pay its drivers $29.93 per hour of active time, excluding tips, in the Big Apple.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 5, 2023

McDonald’s asks SCOTUS to hear no-poach case

A group of former employees sued in 2018, alleging that hiring restrictions between the fast food chain and its franchises constituted a “per se” violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 4, 2023

Papa Johns will pay $175K to settle ADA claim involving service dog

The worker was not allowed to bring to work the dog he needed for his commute — despite running the accommodation past the store manager ahead of time, according to the complaint. 

By Emilie Shumway • Dec. 4, 2023

New York judge tosses delivery firms’ effort to overturn $17.96 wage

After a judge denied appeals efforts from Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub, New York City says the companies must pay drivers $17.96 an hour in their next pay cycles.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 1, 2023

How 5 restaurant chains are preparing for $20 wage in California

Brands like McDonald’s and Chipotle are planning menu price hikes and investing in operations and tech improvements to offset higher labor costs.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 30, 2023

A Taco Bell worker reported a party where co-workers were ‘openly having sex.’ Employees retaliated and HR did nothing, a lawsuit alleges.

An employee said she was told to transfer locations after reporting threats of harassment to human resources.

By Ginger Christ • Nov. 28, 2023

Starbucks introduces oversight committee to improve governance

The coffee chain said the Environmental, Partner and Community Impact committee will help improve its supply chain operations and employee relationships.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 27, 2023

Labor federation nominates 3 Starbucks board candidates

The Strategic Organizing Center’s nominations, which include a former chair of the National Labor Relations Board, mark a new front in Starbucks’ union saga.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 22, 2023

Digital payments have increased restaurant tips. But is it backfiring?

Some diners feel pressured by tipping digitally in front of employees, which can hurt restaurant traffic, but experts say there are best practices that can ease customer trepidation.  

By Danielle McLean • Nov. 21, 2023

Presto lays off 17% of global workforce

The staff reduction, which may impact around two dozen employees, is part of the technology company’s strategy to reduce costs, boost profitability and streamline operations.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 17, 2023

‘Stop the bleeding’: Why experts say retention is key to restaurant labor profitability

By identifying in-house talent early and scaling employee support, restaurants can reduce churn at lower costs than they would incur hiring new workers, panelists said at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 17, 2023

The public dislikes tip pools, Pew finds

Tip pools have proved a controversial wage-and-hour topic, especially when back- and front-of-house staff are both included.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 17, 2023

Starbucks Workers United stages second ‘Red Cup Rebellion’ strike

In its second annual demonstration against one of Starbucks’ key holiday promotions, the union seeks to increase customer involvement.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 16, 2023

Patrick Doyle: RBI’s key product is its franchise model, not brand menus

“People use the term owner-operator interchangeably with franchisee, and I think where people have gotten in trouble is when they are just owners. You have to be both,” Doyle, RBI’s executive chairman, said at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 14, 2023

Restaurant Law Center, US Chamber of Commerce sue NLRB over joint employer rule

In the suit, the RLC and accompanying coalition write that the new joint employer standard “erases distinctions between contractors and employers, and threatens billions of dollars in liability and costs.”

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 13, 2023

Plaza Azteca ordered to pay $11.4M in back wages, damages

The Mexican food chain, which has over 40 units across the East Coast, did not pay minimum wage and overtime to roughly 1,000 current and former employees, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 12, 2023

MGM Resorts reaches tentative agreement with Culinary Union

With the deal, the resort operator avoids strikes at eight Vegas properties.

By Noelle Mateer • Nov. 10, 2023

Vegas averts hospitality worker strike

Wynn Resorts reached a tentative deal with the Culinary Union to avoid walkouts at its Las Vegas properties. With the agreement, labor disputes at all three resort operators with strike deadlines have been resolved.

By Noelle Mateer • Nov. 10, 2023

Chipotle hires top HR execs as it continues to grow its workforce

Ilene Eskenazi has been hired as the chain’s chief human resources officer, and Lois Alexis-Collins is now chief people officer, field operations. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 8, 2023