Biden prioritizes small businesses with new PPP rules

Starting Wednesday, the White House will institute a 14-day period during which only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for loans through the federal program.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 22, 2021

California proposes $2B in grants for restaurants, small businesses

The Golden State's $9.6 billion COVID-19 relief package includes $25,000 grants for businesses impacted by the pandemic and two years of fee relief for restaurants and bars that have alcohol licenses.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 22, 2021

NRA, One Fair Wage release dueling studies on minimum wage policy

The reports reflect the sharp divide over whether raising restaurant employee pay and ending the tip credit is necessary to stabilize income and ensure equity or if it will cripple the recovering industry. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 19, 2021

Dave & Buster's sues Gov. Andrew Cuomo over 'arbitrary' arcade closures

The chain is frustrated that New York's COVID-19 restrictions have forced it to close while bowling alleys and casinos have been allowed to reopen.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 18, 2021

McDonald's links 15% of executive bonuses to hiring women, diverse employees

The pledge follows a series of discrimination lawsuits filed by Black franchisees, which allege corporate intentionally steered Black operators toward underperforming stores. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Feb. 18, 2021

Jimmy John's to pay $1.8M to settle overtime pay dispute

Sixty-six store managers employed by the sandwich chain will receive payment, while more than 500 managers employed by franchisees will be given gift cards as part of a settlement approved Monday. 

By Julie Littman • Feb. 17, 2021

Hospitality industry nabs $18B in latest PPP loan round

Restaurants and hotels received the most Payment Protection Program loans of any business segment so far in 2021, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 12, 2021

NRA: Why we oppose the Raise the Wage Act

It's the wrong proposal at the wrong time for the restaurant industry, EVP of Public Affairs Sean Kennedy writes, arguing hiking labor costs and eliminating the tip credit would further destabilize operators and employees. 

By Sean Kennedy • Feb. 9, 2021

One Fair Wage: Why we support the Raise the Wage Act

Saving restaurants has to include saving our workforce, and envisioning a future where the true cost of food and service is fair and just, Victor Love, co-owner of Josephine's Southern Cooking, writes. 

By Victor Love • Feb. 9, 2021

Luckin's fall from grace capped by bankruptcy filing in US

Months after admitting to securities fraud, the Chinese coffee chain — which first surpassed Starbucks' footprint in China in 2019 — will not have to close its stores in the market.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 9, 2021

Report: Majority of Black servers' tips dropped by at least half during pandemic

Seventy-three percent of Black workers also said customers tipped them less for enforcing safety protocols, versus 62% of White workers, according to a One Fair Wage survey. 

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 8, 2021

Senate passes budget amendment for restaurant relief fund

Following a 90-10 vote in favor of the Restaurant Rescue Plan on Thursday, Congress introduced the Restaurants Act of 2021, which is modeled after last year's legislation.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Thai Phi Le • Feb. 5, 2021

Nearly 60% of casual operators have added outdoor dining since March, report says

Outdoor dining has limitations, however, as most diners said the lowest temperature they will tolerate to eat outside, on average, is 60.5 degrees.

By Alicia Kelso • Feb. 2, 2021

House releases details about proposed $25B restaurants grant fund

Businesses can apply for grants of up to $10 million, with a cap of $5 million per location. Restaurants that earned less than $500,000 in revenue in 2019 can access a pot of $5 billion.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Feb. 10, 2021

Companies denied PPP forgiveness can take tax credit, IRS says

A change Congress made in December allows the credit for some PPP loan recipients.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 29, 2021

McDonald's CEO: Chain will do 'just fine' with higher wages

During the company's Q4 call Thursday, CEO Chris Kempczinski said McDonald's has been able to balance pay due to judicious menu pricing and productivity savings. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 29, 2021

SBA approves over $5B in loans during first week of PPP re-opening

Amid mounting costs from the pandemic, the SBA begins a new round of Paycheck Protection Program lending approved by Congress in December.

By Jim Tyson , Julie Littman • Jan. 28, 2021

Democrats propose $15 minimum wage by 2025, end to the tip credit

The Raise the Wage Act, which was reintroduced Tuesday, would raise the federal rate in phases but hike pay to $9.50 the day a new law takes effect. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 27, 2021

Tracking restaurant industry priority for the COVID-19 vaccine

President Joe Biden announced a deadline of April 19 for all adults in every state to be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Updated April 7, 2021

Survey: 26% of consumers currently comfortable dining indoors

A new report from HealthCare Insider finds that comfort levels about dining at a restaurant differ by gender and geographic location, with men 40% more likely than women to feel comfortable eating indoors by spring. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 25, 2021

New York's $35M Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit program launches

Small, independent restaurants in New York City or in areas that were designated Orange or Red Zones during the pandemic will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $50,000. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated July 30, 2021

DOL withdraws opinion letter expanding tip pools

The Trump-era letter was issued prematurely because it was based on rules that have not taken effect, the agency said.

By Lisa Burden • Updated Jan. 27, 2021

Biden to call on Congress to extend, strengthen FFCRA

The president-elect proposes providing over 14 weeks of paid sick and family and medical leave, and to eliminate exemptions for employers with more than 500 or less than 50 employees.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 20, 2021

McDonald's is navigating 3 new sexual harassment lawsuits

The cases include allegations of sexual assault and quid-pro-quo harassment. The women claim they were ignored, mocked and retaliated against when they complained. 

By Alicia Kelso • Jan. 15, 2021

Biden proposes free vaccine access regardless of immigration status

If enacted, the plan could have significant implications for undocumented restaurant workers, who make up 10% of the industry's labor pool. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 15, 2021