DoorDash, Grubhub sue San Francisco over permanent delivery caps

The companies claim the 15% cap — which San Francisco's Board of Supervisors unanimously passed in June — is unnecessary, harmful, unconstitutional and will result in fewer orders for restaurants.

By Julie Littman • July 19, 2021

OFW: Ending unemployment benefits doesn't ease restaurant labor pressure

In five states that already ended federally funded unemployment benefits, only 16% of workers said they would be more likely to accept any low-wage job, One Fair Wage research reveals. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 16, 2021

IRC cries foul over hotels, recreation facilities receiving Restaurant Revitalization Funds

The group pointed out that 11 locations under the Hilton and Wyndham banners received a total of $24 million in grants.

By Alicia Kelso • July 13, 2021

Biden's competition executive order takes aim at non-compete agreements

The order will make it easier for restaurant employees to change jobs without facing legal restrictions, such as anti-poaching clauses included in restaurant franchise agreements.

By Ryan Golden • Updated July 12, 2021

One Fair Wage launches $1M restaurant worker relief fund

By providing workers up to $1,200 in grants, the organization hopes to keep restaurant staff on the job to fight for higher wages. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 9, 2021

Study: Labor shortages, food costs are now restaurants' biggest concerns

New research commissioned by Uber Eats and DoorDash shows concern about these issues eclipses operator worries about third-party delivery fees.

By Alicia Kelso • July 8, 2021

24% of Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants were for $50K or less

The majority of grants (25.7%) were for between $150,000 and $350,000, but more than two-thirds of the program's applicants didn't receive grants.

By Alicia Kelso • July 8, 2021

Tracking 2021 state restaurant aid: Ohio, New Jersey launch grant programs

States are creating financial safety nets to keep their restaurant economies afloat. Catch up on the latest grant fund launches here.

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 6, 2021

Restaurant Revitalization Fund is closed, portal will be disabled July 14

The SBA will hold the more than 265,000 applications that did not receive funding for processing in the order received if the fund is refilled by Congress. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 2, 2021

San Francisco passes permanent delivery fee cap

The 15% cap will soon hit Mayor London Breed's desk for final approval and could make the city the first in the U.S. to enact a permanent limit.

By Julie Littman • June 24, 2021

Uber Eats adds app disclosure in DC, PA for greater pricing transparency

At the request of the local attorneys general, the delivery platform has included an additional statement on its mobile platform and website that prices may vary from in-store.

By Julie Littman • June 23, 2021

DOL proposal would resurrect 80/20 rule for tipped workers who perform untipped work

Under the proposed rule, employers would only be able to take a tip credit if their tipped employees performed work that is part of the employee's tipped occupation.

By Ryan Golden • June 22, 2021

NRA urges SBA to find funding for 3K Restaurant Revitalization Fund recipients stripped of approval

In court filings last week, the SBA said these operators would only receive funding once the agency "completes processing all previously filed non-priority applications," during which time RRF funds could run dry. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 18, 2021

SBA rescinds more Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants

The National Restaurant Association confirmed Wednesday the U.S. Small Business Administration has sent more letters to an unknown number of RRF applicants saying the promised funding has been revoked.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated June 24, 2021

Papa John's store owners pay $3.25M to settle drivers' vehicle reimbursement suit

It's not the first time a class of delivery drivers has filed suit over wage and hour claims related to reimbursements.

By Ryan Golden • June 11, 2021

NYC City Council considers allowing restaurant surcharges after pandemic

Restaurants would only be allowed to use these fees, which cap at 15%, if they pay all of their employees a minimum wage of $15 per hour before tips. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 11, 2021

New York launches $800M small business grant program

Restaurants do not qualify for the COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program, which offers funds between $5,000 and $50,000, if they received money from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

By Alicia Kelso • June 10, 2021

Court: McDonald's must face claims of sex harassment, assault

The restaurant argued a worker at a St. Louis franchise failed to establish it jointly employed her, but a judge disagreed.

By Katie Clarey • June 10, 2021

Lawmakers push for $60B refill of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund

This infusion would help cover the nearly $50 billion in requested funds that RRF could not fulfill before closing on May 24, and is supported by a bipartisan group of elected officials.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 10, 2021

Delivery companies settle allegations of discrimination in Arizona

The state's attorney general's office claimed promotions offered by DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates to waive delivery fees for Black-owned merchants in 2020 discriminated against non-Black-owned restaurants and their patrons.

By Julie Littman • June 4, 2021

Restaurant advocacy groups want to overturn NYC laws restricting fast food firings

The Restaurant Law Center and the New York State Restaurant Association claim that barring fast food chains from firing staff or cutting hours by more than 15% violates an employer's state and federal constitutional rights.

By Alicia Kelso • June 3, 2021

Chicago and other cities support outdoor dining expansions even as pandemic wanes

Expanded outdoor dining has been "a critical lifeline" for restaurants. As some cities aim to extend the changes or make them permanent, Chicago is awarding $2.3 million in grants for those and other community outdoor spaces. 

By Jason Plautz • June 2, 2021

PPP closed 3 days ahead of schedule

The Small Business Administration has one month to process loan applications that were already submitted before the May 29 cutoff. It is also handling thousands of pending forgiveness requests. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 2, 2021

Report: Most diners still want restaurant workers to mask up

Sixty-five percent of consumers say safety gear worn by restaurant workers is "absolutely required" for them to feel comfortable eating out, Datassential finds.

By Alicia Kelso • June 1, 2021

NRA urges states to offer grants as Restaurant Revitalization Fund runs dry

The National Restaurant Association called on mayors, governors and state legislators to also protect operators from tax burdens, permanently expand outdoor dining and continue to allow to-go alcohol sales.

By Alicia Kelso • May 27, 2021