Insomnia Cookies served class-action suit over alleged unpaid wages

Class- and collective-action claims have led to costly settlements for food service companies in recent years, particularly where delivery work is involved.

By Ryan Golden • April 25, 2023

Restaurant settles claim it revoked stool from pregnant host because it ‘did not look good’

The Wichita, Kansas, steakhouse will pay $55,000 to settle the EEOC’s accommodation claim.

By Kate Tornone • April 19, 2023

Hooters franchisee settles DOJ claim that it refused worker’s I-9 documentation

The company must pay a penalty, provide back pay and train staff on the law’s requirements.

By Carolyn Crist • April 17, 2023

Independent restaurant hiring reaches 6-month high

In March, 61% of independent operators hired permanent and temporary employees compared to 50% in February, according to Alignable data. 

By Julie Littman • April 17, 2023

Burger chain Slutty Vegan and its affiliate, Bar Vegan, face wage and hour lawsuits

Slutty Vegan did not pay promised bonuses or proper overtime, workers in the chain’s Brooklyn and Atlanta locations have alleged.

By Emilie Shumway • April 17, 2023

A look inside the proposed Restaurant Revitalization Tax Credit

The legislators behind the Restaurant Revitalization Fund have proposed a tax credit of up to $25,000 per quarter in 2023 for restaurants that are struggling with pandemic debts. Would your business be eligible?

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 14, 2023

Chipotle faces shareholder push over labor rights

NYC pension funds, which own over $80 million in Chipotle stock, are urging the chain to adopt International Labor Organization standards on freedom of association and collective bargaining. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated April 3, 2023

McDonald’s reportedly gears up for corporate layoffs

Employees have been asked to work remotely from Monday to Wednesday so leadership can lay workers off virtually, The Wall Street Journal reports. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 3, 2023

4 things you may have missed during Starbucks Senate showdown

Schultz’s testimony indicated the company’s anti-union strategy is working to weaken the union. But the union said the hearing emboldened its members.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 31, 2023

Starbucks shareholders vote for labor rights review

In a win for Starbucks Workers United, Starbucks shareholders urged the company to review its adherence to international labor standards.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 30, 2023

Howard Schultz faces off against workers, Sanders at HELP committee hearing

The former CEO said Starbucks did not break U.S. labor law, but Senate Democrats and workers who testified after Schultz disagreed.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 29, 2023

Chipotle will pay $240K to settle with union over Maine store closure

The Mexican chain said it is settling with Chipotle United and the National Labor Relations Board to avoid a protracted and expensive regulatory battle.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 27, 2023

Starbucks union welcomes CEO with 115-store strike

Laxman Narasimhan faces a nationwide demonstration of Starbucks Workers United members, who are urging for cooperation, one day before the chain’s annual shareholder meeting.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 22, 2023

Papa Johns fired worker with vision disability who needed service dog, EEOC alleges

Misconceptions still linger about service animals, including their risk to health and safety, EEOC says.

By Emilie Shumway • March 20, 2023

California court defends independent contractor status for gig workers

The California Court of Appeal upheld the independent contractor provision of Prop 22, but struck down portions that would’ve made it almost impossible to amend the law. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 14, 2023

Gopuff makes third round of layoffs since last spring

Latest staff cuts include about 2% of the company’s global workforce, according to a company spokesperson.

By Brett Dworski • March 10, 2023

DOL: Florida restaurants withheld $190K from workers to cover operating costs

Investigators in the agency’s Wage and Hour Division recovered more than $27 million for 22,531 foodservice workers during fiscal year 2022.

By Ginger Christ • March 10, 2023

Starbucks to appeal major NLRB judge ruling

Starbucks will fight a judge’s finding that the chain violated labor law as the brand uses the courts to run out the clock on the union drive.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 8, 2023

NYC cuts proposed delivery worker wage floor by almost $4

Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash persuaded the city to reduce its 2025 target base pay by $3.86 an hour, arguing workers would be compensated by “multi-apping.”

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 8, 2023

New York AG proposes rule limiting dynamic pricing

Price increases above 10% that aren’t being used to preserve margins would be considered excessive during states of emergency under the proposal.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 6, 2023

Starbucks faces corporate employee revolt

A group of at least 83 corporate workers have signed a petition urging the company to pull back from its return-to-office policies and sign a fair election agreement with Starbucks Workers United.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 2, 2023

NRA forecasts 2023 job growth, not major recession

With jobs up and wage growth moderating, most restaurant operators still expect high labor costs and difficulty hiring, according to the National Restaurant Association’s State of the Industry report.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 28, 2023

Starbucks board opposes labor review backed by NYC pension funds

A group of Starbucks investors is calling for an independent workers’ rights assessment of the chain’s conduct in the Starbucks Workers United Campaign, fearing risks to “long-term value.”

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 24, 2023

CA bill would establish joint franchisor-franchisee liability for QSRs

AB 1228 reopens the legislative fight between fast food groups and organized labor as both prepare for a protracted referendum campaign. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 22, 2023

IRS proposes point-of-sale tip reporting

Service industry employers that participate in a proposed voluntary IRS tip reporting program could receive protection from liability under rules that define tips as part of an employee’s pay.

By Laurel Kalser • Feb. 15, 2023