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

Starbucks union turns up pressure with strikes, gift card boycott

Starbucks Workers United is flexing its muscle with temporary walkouts and calls to enlist consumers and other unions in its fight with the coffee giant.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 19, 2022

What’s at stake in the next battle over the FAST Recovery Act

A look at what California’s fast food council might mean for the restaurant industry if it survives the referendum process.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 19, 2022

Starbucks union stages 3-day strike at 60 stores

Starbucks Workers United’s planned walkouts, in protest of union store closures, would be the campaign’s longest national action.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 16, 2022

ChowNow lays off 10% of staff

Just months after ChowNow laid off nearly 100 employees, it announced a second round of cuts, citing a leveling off of delivery demand. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 15, 2022

Senators introduce tax credit bill for restaurants left out of RRF

The bill would provide payroll tax relief of up to $25,000 for eligible restaurants that applied for but didn’t receive Restaurant Revitalization Fund money. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 9, 2022

Uber, Chicago agree to $10M settlement in commission fee and advertising investigation

Uber Eats will compensate restaurants listed on its website without consent, as well as restaurants charged commissions exceeding the 15% emergency cap.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 6, 2022

McDonald’s franchisee pays $57K to resolve child labor violations

Throughout 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor has signaled a regulatory focus on child labor provisions under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 6, 2022

FAST Act to face ballot challenge, NRA says

Opponents of California’s fast food labor council law said they have raised enough signatures to trigger a statewide referendum that would appear on the 2024 General Election.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 5, 2022

Mod Pizza extends benefits to include tuition-free degrees

Over 10,000 workers can access bachelor’s degree programs, professional certificates and English language learning through a partnership with Guild. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 1, 2022

DoorDash lays off 1,250 employees

Early in the pandemic, the company hired fast to keep up with growth and wasn't as disciplined about curbing operating expenses, said CEO Tony Xu.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 30, 2022

2 Peet’s Coffee locations file for union elections

Inspired by Starbucks’ union drive, Peet’s workers in Davis, California, are petitioning the National Labor Relations Board for an election with Workers United.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 29, 2022