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

OpenTable launches restaurant restriction heat map for diners

The reservation platform will also roll out a hub for operators on Thursday called At Your Service, which includes flow controls to limit the number of covers or parties that can book a reservation.

By Alicia Kelso • April 6, 2021

Consumer advocacy groups urge FDA to require menu labeling on delivery apps

The FDA said that these companies likely do not meet the definition of covered establishments under the current requirements. 

By Alicia Kelso • April 5, 2021

Starbucks will use analytics to track promotion decisions in diversity push

Other initiatives, including the hire of an independent labor economist, come after Starbucks resolved EEOC allegations of discriminatory practices against the chain.

By Julie Littman • April 5, 2021

Report: 10% of all restaurants have closed during pandemic

Chain restaurants with less than 501 locations have closed at a higher rate than independent restaurants, with the largest permanent closure rate — 16.2% — among chains with 51 to 100 units.

By Alicia Kelso • March 31, 2021

Miami 1 year later: Sunshine, loose restrictions spark restaurant real estate frenzy

The city's balmy climate and open space — combined with the local government's relatively loose COVID-19 limits — insulated its dining scene from the level of revenue disruption suffered by markets like New York City.

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 26, 2021

As Trump-era tip pool expansion takes effect, DOL delays other proposals

While provisions prohibiting managers from keeping tips and allowing non-tipped workers into certain tip pools will take effect April 30 as planned, other portions of the rule will be delayed until Dec. 31. 

By Kate Tornone • Updated April 28, 2021

Biden signs PPP extension into law, pushes deadline to May 31

The law gives the Small Business Administration until June 30 to close pending Paycheck Protection Program applications. 

By Anna Hrushka • Updated March 31, 2021

EEOC: IHOP manager conditioned leave, scheduling on accepting sexual advances

More harassment claims are filed in the restaurant industry than in any other industry, sources have said.

By Lisa Burden • March 26, 2021

Domino's franchisee to deliver $3M to settle drivers' wage and hour claims

The plaintiffs claimed they were not reimbursed for their own delivery expenses such as vehicle maintenance and insurance.

By Lisa Burden • March 25, 2021

Washington, DC, 1 year later: Restaurants hammered by protests, insurrection and inauguration restrictions

While other major restaurant cities struggled to survive pandemic restrictions, District operators also had to contend with government-mandated curfews amid widespread protests and the fallout of the Capitol riot. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • March 24, 2021