Papa Johns will pay $175K to settle ADA claim involving service dog

The worker was not allowed to bring to work the dog he needed for his commute — despite running the accommodation past the store manager ahead of time, according to the complaint. 

By Emilie Shumway • Dec. 4, 2023

New York judge tosses delivery firms’ effort to overturn $17.96 wage

After a judge denied appeals efforts from Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub, New York City says the companies must pay drivers $17.96 an hour in their next pay cycles.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 1, 2023

How 5 restaurant chains are preparing for $20 wage in California

Brands like McDonald’s and Chipotle are planning menu price hikes and investing in operations and tech improvements to offset higher labor costs.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 30, 2023

A Taco Bell worker reported a party where co-workers were ‘openly having sex.’ Employees retaliated and HR did nothing, a lawsuit alleges.

An employee said she was told to transfer locations after reporting threats of harassment to human resources.

By Ginger Christ • Nov. 28, 2023

Starbucks introduces oversight committee to improve governance

The coffee chain said the Environmental, Partner and Community Impact committee will help improve its supply chain operations and employee relationships.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 27, 2023

Labor federation nominates 3 Starbucks board candidates

The Strategic Organizing Center’s nominations, which include a former chair of the National Labor Relations Board, mark a new front in Starbucks’ union saga.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 22, 2023

Digital payments have increased restaurant tips. But is it backfiring?

Some diners feel pressured by tipping digitally in front of employees, which can hurt restaurant traffic, but experts say there are best practices that can ease customer trepidation.  

By Danielle McLean • Nov. 21, 2023

Presto lays off 17% of global workforce

The staff reduction, which may impact around two dozen employees, is part of the technology company’s strategy to reduce costs, boost profitability and streamline operations.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 17, 2023

‘Stop the bleeding’: Why experts say retention is key to restaurant labor profitability

By identifying in-house talent early and scaling employee support, restaurants can reduce churn at lower costs than they would incur hiring new workers, panelists said at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 17, 2023

The public dislikes tip pools, Pew finds

Tip pools have proved a controversial wage-and-hour topic, especially when back- and front-of-house staff are both included.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 17, 2023

Starbucks Workers United stages second ‘Red Cup Rebellion’ strike

In its second annual demonstration against one of Starbucks’ key holiday promotions, the union seeks to increase customer involvement.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 16, 2023

Patrick Doyle: RBI’s key product is its franchise model, not brand menus

“People use the term owner-operator interchangeably with franchisee, and I think where people have gotten in trouble is when they are just owners. You have to be both,” Doyle, RBI’s executive chairman, said at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 14, 2023

Restaurant Law Center, US Chamber of Commerce sue NLRB over joint employer rule

In the suit, the RLC and accompanying coalition write that the new joint employer standard “erases distinctions between contractors and employers, and threatens billions of dollars in liability and costs.”

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 13, 2023

Plaza Azteca ordered to pay $11.4M in back wages, damages

The Mexican food chain, which has over 40 units across the East Coast, did not pay minimum wage and overtime to roughly 1,000 current and former employees, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 12, 2023

MGM Resorts reaches tentative agreement with Culinary Union

With the deal, the resort operator avoids strikes at eight Vegas properties.

By Noelle Mateer • Nov. 10, 2023

Vegas averts hospitality worker strike

Wynn Resorts reached a tentative deal with the Culinary Union to avoid walkouts at its Las Vegas properties. With the agreement, labor disputes at all three resort operators with strike deadlines have been resolved.

By Noelle Mateer • Nov. 10, 2023

Chipotle hires top HR execs as it continues to grow its workforce

Ilene Eskenazi has been hired as the chain’s chief human resources officer, and Lois Alexis-Collins is now chief people officer, field operations. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 8, 2023

Las Vegas Culinary Union reaches tentative agreement with Caesars to prevent strike

The deal would cover approximately 10,000 hospitality workers across nine properties on the Strip.

By Noelle Mateer • Nov. 8, 2023

Starbucks’ new benefits, planned raises draw union criticism

Unionized stores are excluded from a new vacation accrual policy and a national barista championship, but will receive raises alongside other workers.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 7, 2023

Panera Bread chops 17% of corporate staff ahead of IPO

Roughly 306 supporting staff positions were reportedly cut to improve operations as the company gears up for Panera Brands’ public debut.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 2, 2023

IFA forms law center to fight joint employer rules

The center aims to dismantle legislation and rules that put franchisors on the hook for franchisee labor law violations.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 2, 2023

McDonald’s sees low-income diner traffic dip, braces for cash flow disruption in California

The Golden Arches reported 8% same-stores sales growth for Q3 thanks in part to strategic menu price increases, but CEO Chris Kempczinski said it will closely watch how these changes impact lower-income diners. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 30, 2023

NLRB delays effective date of joint employer rule to February

In a reprieve for franchisors, the National Labor Relations Board pushed back the date its joint employer rule would take effect to early next year.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Nov. 20, 2023

Chipotle will raise wages in California, continue testing robots

The chain plans to hike prices by mid-to-high single digits in California next year to compensate for a 20% wage increase in that market.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Julie Littman • Oct. 27, 2023

Starbucks’ threat to cut abortion travel benefits violated NLRA, agency judge says

Starbucks has been hit with a litany of labor-related complaints as its workers across the country have unionized.

By Ginger Christ • Oct. 20, 2023