Labor and Policy: Page 15


  • A hand holding a smartphone that shows a menu for a restaurant
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    Retrieved from sunday on July 15, 2022
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    Restaurant payments app Sunday cuts staff, exits 60% of its markets

    The startup, which launched just 16 months ago, will pull out of four of its seven markets to focus on the U.S., U.K. and France. 

    By July 15, 2022
  • Gopuff
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    Courtesy of Gopuff
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    What's next for Gopuff and rapid delivery as the young industry hits 'an inflection point'?

    The company’s struggles and those of newer startups in the space could offer an opening for established grocers, sources say.

    By Jeff Wells , Sam Silverstein , Catherine Douglas Moran • July 15, 2022
  • Gopuff
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    Courtesy of Gopuff
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    Gopuff laying off 10% of global workforce, closing dozens of US warehouses

    The company, which is eliminating jobs for the second time in just a few months, is taking action as instant delivery faces an “inflection point,” according to a memo sent to investors.

    By Jeff Wells • July 13, 2022
  • An image of two signs, one that says "Please be patient we are understaffed" and "Now hiring cooks, wait staff, bartenders. Apply now."
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    HABesen via Getty Images
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    4 ways to face labor shortages

    From recruitment and retention to operational efficiencies and employee communications, learn how executives are fighting to retain workers and improve costs.

    By July 13, 2022
  • A group of people are enjoying their meal at a bright restaurant while one looks on a smartphone.
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    Geber86 via Getty Images
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    Study: Dine-in tips have increased despite inflation

    Tip percentage growth has slowed, however, and tips on online orders have shrunk even as the number of online orders has risen, Lightspeed data finds. 

    By Alicia Kelso • July 12, 2022
  • Chipotle in Savannah, Georgia
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    Q&A

    How Chipotle plans to identify and grow future leaders

    A class of 45 “emerging leaders” will participate in the chain’s inaugural, nine-month development program, according to Chief Diversity, Inclusion and People Officer Marissa Andrada.

    By Ryan Golden • July 12, 2022
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Starbucks to permanently close 16 stores over safety issues

    Debbie Stroud and Denise Nelson, SVPs of U.S. operations, emphasized the company’s commitment to employee safety in a letter to workers on Monday. 

    By July 12, 2022
  • A woman in a green apron at a coffee counter waves off camera
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    Retrieved from Starbucks on July 11, 2022
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    Starbucks unveils 'reinvention' plan, hikes wages

    Eligible workers will receive pay bumps of up to 3% in August, as interim CEO Howard Schultz looks to improve employee welfare and diner experiences.

    By July 11, 2022
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    Courtesy of Nextbite
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    Nextbite faces second round of layoffs

    Nextbite is laying off an undisclosed number of employees following an earlier round of job cuts in April, when the company shed less than 10% of its staff.

    By Alicia Kelso • July 11, 2022
  • A help wanted sign is displayed at a boardwalk restaurant the day before the Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer, in the shore community of Wildwood on May 28, 2021 in Wildwood, New J
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Survey: Most restaurants are still short-staffed even as demand recovers

    Thirty percent of restaurant owners said business has returned to pre-pandemic levels while 25% said it has surpassed them, per Popmenu. 

    By June 30, 2022
  • WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 29: U.S. Capitol Police follow an abortion-rights protest in front of the Dirksen Senate Office Building on June 29, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
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    USHG joins Starbucks, DoorDash in growing list of companies covering abortion expenses

    Some legal experts have said these benefits may cause legal trouble for companies operating in certain states that have criminalized the procedure.

    By June 30, 2022
  • The back of a bike courier with an Uber Eats bag.
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    Sean Gallup/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Massachusetts court tosses gig work ballot initiatives backed by Uber, DoorDash

    The proposals, which are similar to Prop 22, would have classified food delivery drivers as independent contractors but granted them some benefits.

    By June 15, 2022
  • A man carrying orange bags with the word Grubhub on the side.
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    Courtesy of Grubhub
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    Grubhub adds instant pay option for delivery drivers

    Instant Cashout via Direct to Debit will be available this month and allows Grubhub’s couriers to deposit earnings to an eligible bank debit card. 

    By Alicia Kelso • June 15, 2022
  • Unhappy female pub owner sits over computer and coffee
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    Shutterstock/Marian Weyo

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    Sponsored by DAVO by Avalara

    If you are using 3rd party apps like Grubhub and Uber Eats, you might be double paying your sales tax

    To maximize the power of 3rd party apps (3PA), owners and managers must understand and manage them correctly. 

    June 7, 2022
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    McDonald's will conduct a civil rights assessment led by third party

    The company didn't disclose if the assessment differs from the civil rights audit that shareholders voted for last week. 

    By June 3, 2022
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    Retrieved from Domino's on December 14, 2020
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    Survey: 44% of drivers prefer flexibility of ride-sharing over pizza delivery jobs

    High gas prices have pushed one-third of drivers who previously delivered food to now only service ride-sharing requests, according to BTIG research.

    By Alicia Kelso • June 3, 2022
  • Kylah Clay, Starbucks barista and union organizer, stands outside a Boston Starbucks she helped organize in February 2022.
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Starbucks unionization efforts

    Starbucks union workers land $1M strike fund after 100th win

    The fund started by Workers United will be used to pay workers for lost time and other benefits during strikes. 

    By June 3, 2022
  • Barista standing in the doorway of a restaurant
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    stock.adobe/Jacob Lund
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    Report: Over 40% of independent restaurants are behind on rent

    This is the worst rent delinquency level among small restaurants since October, and the change is largely due to rent inflation, according to Alignable.

    By Alicia Kelso • June 2, 2022
  • A plastic cup for tips stands on the ledge of a food cart.
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    kaarsten via Getty Images
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    Business associations back lawsuit challenging DOL's 80/20 rule

    The contentious policy has been scrapped and resurrected repeatedly over the years, as business operators clash with regulators on tip calculation.

    By Emilie Shumway • May 31, 2022
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    J.D. Pooley via Getty Images
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    Subway shop's $30K settlement highlights duty to accommodate autism

    The EEOC alleged the franchisee failed to provide requested accommodations for a new hire with autism and then fired him after four shifts.

    By Laurel Kalser • May 31, 2022
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    McDonald's stockholders vote for independent civil rights audit

    The proposal for an independent civil rights audit — which goes against the company's recommendation — won a 52% to 47% vote.

    By Alicia Kelso • May 27, 2022
  • Miso Robotics' 2nd iteration of the Flippy robot.
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    Courtesy of Miso Robotics
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    Wing Zone is the latest chain to bet big on Miso Robotics

    The chain, which has 100-plus stores in its development pipeline, will include robotic fryer Flippy 2 in all standard restaurant builds going forward. 

    By May 25, 2022
  • Max's Taphouse in Baltimore
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    Permission granted by Max's Taphouse
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    Restaurant Revitalization Fund

    What's the impact of the Senate's failure to pass RRF? The restaurant industry reacts.

    From independent operators to hospitality groups, most are disappointed and some are angry that there remains no federal aid to support struggling restaurants.

    By Thai Phi Le • May 24, 2022
  • restaurant worker PPE
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    dapiki moto. (2020). "New Normal" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Unsplash.
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    Restaurant Revitalization Fund

    By the numbers: The cost of 1 year without RRF

    We took a look at several market performance indicators over the past year to get a sense of how the absence of Restaurant Revitalization Fund impacted U.S. restaurants, and what operators are forecasting for the future. 

    By May 24, 2022
  • Amilinda restaurant in Milwaukee
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    Permission granted by Amilinda
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    Restaurant Revitalization Fund

    'A huge slap in the face': Milwaukee chef on losing his RRF grant

    Since he was a kid in Venezuela, Amilinda owner Greg Leon was surrounded by cooking. But the pandemic nearly took that away, as his restaurant was stripped of promised funds and his staffing took a hit. 

    By Thai Phi Le • May 24, 2022