Judge bars Burgerim and its founder from selling franchises

Burgerim could owe the FTC up to $56 million in civil penalties and money earmarked for consumer redress. Oren Loni, CEO and founder of the disgraced restaurant chain, settled separately in November. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 23, 2024

Starbucks union’s student allies stage national day of action against chain

Demonstrations are slated at 25 major public and private universities Thursday in a bid to push administrators to break ties with the company, or declare solidarity with Starbucks Workers United.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Feb. 22, 2024

McDonald’s employee had to pump breast milk in stockroom corner, lawsuit alleges

The complaint is the latest against large-scale employers who allegedly violate the PUMP Act by failing to provide nursing employees reasonable time to express milk in a private, sanitary place.

By Laurel Kalser • Feb. 20, 2024

Starbucks union organizes record 21 stores in 1 day

The organizing blitz is likely intended to pressure the coffee chain, which says it wants to reach contracts at all organized stores this year, during negotiations. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 20, 2024

How to overcome 5 restaurant industry challenges

Discover tips and tricks to help you tackle some of the top HR pain points for restaurants and hospitality businesses.

Feb. 20, 2024

Toast to cut 550 employees

The company’s CEO acknowledged during an earnings call that “we grew our team too quickly in some areas,” while reporting a presence in 106,000 locations as of the end of 2023.

By Lynne Marek • Feb. 16, 2024

McDonald’s franchisee settles rape case for $4.35M

McDonald’s franchisee Rice Enterprises will sell its restaurants to fund a $4.35M settlement with a minor who was sexually assaulted by a manger.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 6, 2024

Restaurant operators see gig work as labor solution, NRA says

Finding staff is still a significant challenge for many operators, with 45% of surveyed restaurateurs reporting inadequate staffing to meet demand.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 6, 2024

Cheesecake Factory, contractors agree to $1M settlement for underpaying 589 janitorial workers

The resolution includes $750,000 from the restaurant chain and $250,000 from the janitorial contractors accused of wage theft, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office says.

By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 1, 2024

How Portillo’s develops its managers to sustain $10M unit volumes

CEO Michael Osanloo said the chain’s labor model and high unit volumes enable a “virtuous cycle” where sales drive wages and benefits, which in turn drive retention and efficiency.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 1, 2024

US Foods wins $11.9M suit against Boston Market by default

A federal judge found Boston Market engaged in bad faith and intentionally avoided engaging with process servers in a lawsuit over unpaid bills.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 1, 2024

Chipotle targets Gen Z workers with latest benefits

The chain, whose workforce is 73% Gen Z, hopes to appeal to the demographic’s economic insecurity and hire 19,000 workers by spring. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 24, 2024

Qdoba settles claim it failed to provide pay ranges in job ads

The quick-service restaurant ran afoul of Washington state law, the proposed class action alleged.

By Kate Tornone • Jan. 23, 2024

California’s $20 fast food wage poses risk and reward, execs say at ICR

Operational changes, value offerings and pricing are key tools in preserving traditional margins as wages rise, leadership from major chains shared. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 23, 2024

Starbucks ‘Memphis 7’ dismissal case heads to the Supreme Court

The court will hear Starbucks’ case that the National Labor Relations Board’s injunctions to reinstate several fired baristas were issued under an incorrect standard — a political win for the chain.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Jan. 16, 2024

House votes to overturn NLRB’s joint employer rule

The House may disapprove of joint employer, which would increase restaurant franchisor liability for employees, but Senate maneuvering will determine the fate of the rule.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Jan. 12, 2024

7 restaurant industry trends to watch in 2024

Development costs will remain high and service fees could frustrate diners, but personalized offers and labor-saving tech may give brands an edge.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Julie Littman • Jan. 10, 2024

DOL independent contractor final rule announced, will take effect March 11

The rule largely tracks the agency’s October 2022 proposed rule, adopting a six-factor, “totality-of-the-circumstances” framework for analyzing worker-employer relationships.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 9, 2024

California bistro pocketed thousands in worker tips to pay expenses, suit alleges

The Department of Labor is suing Entre Nous for $500,000 in back wages and damages, and said it misclassified workers as independent contractors.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 4, 2024

How the politics of restaurant labor changed in 2023

This year ushered in new regulations about fast food worker pay in California, the end of the subminimum wage in Chicago and a joint-employer rule that puts pressure on franchisors.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 20, 2023

McDonald’s to survey franchisees on child labor practices

McDonald’s operators in five states were fined by the U.S. Department of Labor for making minors work longer hours in more dangerous roles than permitted.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 18, 2023

Cava is bolstering customization through catering, loyalty strategy

The Mediterranean chain is testing restaurant models with expanded kitchen space to support catering and a new, bankable points rewards program to deepen engagement, said CEO Brett Schulman.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Dec. 14, 2023

McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Wendy’s franchisees face ‘convict leasing’ suit in Alabama

Incarcerated workers are suing Alabama and employers, including franchisees of major restaurant chains, over an alleged system of coerced labor.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 14, 2023

DoorDash pauses some NYC driver perks, plans to raise fees

After a judge dismissed an appeal against a delivery driver minimum wage law last week, DoorDash will pay its drivers $29.93 per hour of active time, excluding tips, in the Big Apple.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 5, 2023

McDonald’s asks SCOTUS to hear no-poach case

A group of former employees sued in 2018, alleging that hiring restrictions between the fast food chain and its franchises constituted a “per se” violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 4, 2023