How Chipotle’s focus on training, internal promotions drove record employee retention

With 90% of its restaurants fully staffed, traffic has already shown signs of improvement in January. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 8, 2023

Starbucks’ stagnating traffic drives reinvention plan

Transactions per store per day are down globally compared to last year, but Starbucks says retention is up and traffic is more concentrated in specific dayparts.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 3, 2023

Michigan court strikes down attempt to raise wage, eliminate tip credit

The court case is another legal victory for the restaurant industry in its political battle to cap pay and preserve the tipped minimum wage.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 31, 2023

Virginia introduces fast food labor council bill

Like California’s controversial FAST Recovery Act, the bill would establish a commission to regulate restaurant working standards and wages. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 27, 2023

Chipotle to add 15K workers before spring

The chain is looking to boost restaurant staffing to support new openings, all while promoting many managers from the ranks of its hourly workforce.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 26, 2023

KFC offers tuition-free college to some workers

The chain will offer the education perk to eligible employees through a partnership with Western Governors University starting in February.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 25, 2023

FAST Recovery Act referendum approved, opening political duel in California

California’s secretary of state found restaurants’ challenge to the fast food council law has collected sufficient signatures, a political win for QSRs. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 25, 2023

Burger King franchisee to pay $60K to settle pregnant ex-worker’s harassment, retaliation claims

As part of the settlement, North Georgia Foods entered a two-year consent decree and will notify the alleged harasser that he is not eligible for rehire.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 24, 2023

Peet’s union wins first election

The union victory in Davis, California, is another score for organized labor in the cafe sector, which has seen a rash of campaigns in recent years.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 23, 2023

The solution to the labor shortage is not automation. It’s autonomy.

Remy Robotics CEO Yegor Traiman proposes a comprehensive solution to the restaurant industry’s labor problem.

Jan. 23, 2023

New York City’s ‘skip the stuff’ bill for foodware items goes to mayor’s desk

The bill to prohibit foodservice establishments from automatically including plastic cutlery and other items is meant to cut down on waste. It’s the latest in the city’s recent laws banning certain single-use foodware.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 20, 2023

Study: Only 54% of QSR employees worked 90 days before quitting in 2022

QSR workers are five times more likely to quit over miscommunications with management during their first 90 days than after, HourWork research finds. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 20, 2023

One Fair Wage slams NRA for linking training program to lobbying efforts

OFW launched its own food safety training program on Wednesday as an alternative to the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe program.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 19, 2023

Grubhub adds emergency assistance features to driver app

Using the Grubhub for Drivers app, couriers will be able to connect to 911 centers or a RapidSOS agent to get assistance in difficult situations. 

By Julie Littman • Jan. 19, 2023

McDonald’s franchisee to pay $1.9M to settle claim that teen workers were sexually harassed

The settlement is the latest EEOC agreement targeting alleged pervasive sexual harassment of teen workers in the fast food industry.

By Laurel Kalser • Jan. 18, 2023

How Bartaco eliminated wait staff roles to boost wages

Retooling employee responsibilities and adding tip pooling allows the chain to pay average hourly wages of $23, higher than the $17 industry average.

By Julie Littman • Jan. 18, 2023

Starbucks’ corporate workers must return to office 3 days per week

Interim-CEO Howard Schultz said low rates of office usage pushed the chain to make office work a requirement for employees living within commuting distance of its headquarters and regional offices.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 13, 2023

Red Robin unveils comeback plan for sales, brand positioning

The restaurant chain will focus on improving its basic operations, including labor practices and food quality, that have floundered in recent years.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 10, 2023

SEC fines ex-McDonald’s CEO $400K for false statements about his termination

McDonald’s was also charged by the SEC for “shortcomings in its public disclosures related to Steve Easterbrook’s separation agreement,” but does not face financial consequences. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 9, 2023

5 trends that will shape the restaurant industry in 2023

Restaurants will experiment with dynamic menu pricing, cater to diners who are trading down and move away from ghost kitchens as inflation pressures the bottom line, experts predict.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Julie Littman • Jan. 5, 2023

Congress passes major changes to pregnancy accommodations

President Biden signed the omnibus spending bill, which would require many employers to provide accommodations for employees with pregnancy- and childbirth-related limitations, on Dec. 29.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Dec. 30, 2022

California court blocks AB 257 during referendum petition verification

The council cannot operate until the law is approved by a referendum in November 2024, or unless California’s secretary of state finds the industry coalition backing the referendum lacks sufficient signatures.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Jan. 17, 2023

The major turning points in Starbucks’ battle with Starbucks Workers United

The chain and the union have escalated their confrontation with store closures, firings, month-long strikes and a fight over transformative contract proposals.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 22, 2022

McDonald’s security chief sues chain, CEO Chris Kempczinski for racial discrimination

Michael Peaster, McDonald’s outgoing VP of global safety, security and intelligence, alleges the chain retaliated against him for contradicting Kempczinski during a meeting.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 20, 2022

McDonald’s franchisee to pay $100K to settle claim it discriminated against long-tenured employee with autism

Two months after taking over the restaurant, the franchisee fired a grill cook who had 37 years in the role.

By Emilie Shumway • Dec. 20, 2022