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

SBA will close Restaurant Revitalization Fund on Monday — just 3 weeks after opening

More than $220 million of the $500 million set aside for businesses with less than $50,000 in pre-pandemic revenue is still available, according to the Small Business Administration. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 20, 2021

OSHA to review safety guidance, directs employers to follow CDC mask update

Employers can still voluntarily opt to require social distancing and masks for their workers, attorneys say, but Starbucks and Chipotle have already waived face covering requirements for vaccinated guests. 

By Kathryn Moody • May 18, 2021

Gov. Gavin Newsom signs law requiring delivery companies to disclose fees

California's legislation requires third-party aggregators to provide an itemized cost breakdown of each transaction to both diners and eateries. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Oct. 6, 2021

Jury orders Burger King franchisee to pay $2M to worker with trachea tube

The former cashier sued the restaurant for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Florida law after she was fired for her disability.

By Lisa Burden • May 13, 2021

Restaurant Revitalization Fund cannot fulfill $36B in applications

The U.S. Small Business Administration has received over 266,000 RRF applications representing $65 billion in requested funds, or more than double RRF's current cap, less than two weeks after the program opened.

By Alicia Kelso • May 13, 2021

McDonald's workers will strike for higher wages next week

Employees in 15 markets will demand that the mega chain raise its wages to at least $15 an hour, while McDonald's argues it is "the responsibility of federal and local governments to set minimum wage."

By Alicia Kelso • May 10, 2021

PPP runs out of funds for most lenders

The funding cutoff comes nearly four weeks before PPP was slated to end. Lawmakers in late March extended the program's application deadline to May 31 and gave the SBA until June 30 to close pending PPP applications.

By Dan Ennis • May 7, 2021

Report: 76% of restaurant workers plan to leave jobs over low wages, tips

If these workers had a full, stable living wage, 78% said they would stay in their positions, according to a One Fair Wage report. 

By Julie Littman • May 6, 2021

Restaurant Revitalization Fund brings 186K applicants in first 2 days, Biden says

Roughly 61,700 applications came from businesses with annual revenues of $500,000 or less, "representing some of the smallest restaurants and bars in America," according to the White House. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 6, 2021

Restaurant Revitalization Fund promises relief, but may require fast action

Owners should take every step possible to prepare for the launch of the RRF application portal and to submit applications as soon as they are eligible, attorneys at Jones Walker LLP write.

By Emily M. Gauthier, Curtis R. Hearn, John W. Zimmer • April 30, 2021

Businesses can only expect limited boost from stimulus checks: Fed study

Households have channeled federal stimulus checks primarily towards savings or reducing debt, giving businesses just a limited lift from consumer spending, according to the New York Federal Reserve.

By Jim Tyson • April 28, 2021

Teamsters funds sue McDonald's board over handling of Easterbrook exit

The suit accuses leadership of choosing to pay former CEO Steve Easterbrook after his sexual misconduct to resolve the conflict quickly rather than "face the consequences for the leniency they long exhibited."

By Emma Liem Beckett • April 22, 2021

Biden urges PTO for vaccination, offers SMBs tax credit

Organizations with fewer than 500 employees will be eligible for the credit, which will offset the cost of PTO for each employee if offered from April 1 to Sept. 30.

By Katie Clarey , Emma Liem Beckett • April 22, 2021

Judge dismisses OFW lawsuit against Olive Garden parent over tipping policy

Because One Fair Wage isn't an employee of Darden, it doesn't have standing to challenge its employment practices, a U.S. District Court judge ruled. 

By Julie Littman • Updated Sept. 16, 2021

$28.6B restaurant relief fund has a cash shortage problem

Applications for the program open on May 3, but the National Restaurant Association believes money could run out in just a few weeks. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated April 27, 2021