Labor and Policy: Page 8

  • A picture of a Chipotle with a pickup lane.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle agrees to $300K settlement in DC over child labor law violations

    The Washington, D.C., attorney general’s office found hundreds of instances of minors working past the number of hours allowed at Chipotle.

    By • Aug. 28, 2023
  • New York City skyline
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    Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography via Getty Images
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    NYC fast food chains to pay $4.5M in settlement of fair workweek violations

    Fair workweek laws are meant to ensure that hourly workers in targeted industries are given predictable work schedules so they can plan their lives beyond work.

    By Laurel Kalser • Aug. 24, 2023
  • Diesel Cafe, in Davis Square in Somerville, Mass.
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    Permission granted by Shane Woolley
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    Deep Dive

    Coffee could become a union industry in Boston

    UNITE HERE has organized four Boston cafe chains. Now, it wants to use a standard contract to spur more unionization and drive up wages in the city’s coffee sector. 

    By • Aug. 24, 2023
  • A picture of an Olive Garden restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    EEOC alleges Olive Garden asked illegal questions during a job interview

    A general manager at a Pennsylvania Olive Garden allegedly asked a candidate questions about his disability, then refused to hire him based on that information.

    By Ginger Christ • Aug. 21, 2023
  • Cornell University clock tower and campus
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    Retrieved from Flickr user Clarice Oliveira on January 11, 2021
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    Cornell will not renew Starbucks contract amid student pressure

    The university’s agreement with the coffee giant ends in June 2025, and some students are counting Cornell’s decision to source a new vendor as win for organized labor. 

    By • Aug. 18, 2023
  • A Boston Market in Oakland California. The NJDOL has order work to cease at 27 New Jersey locations.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    New Jersey DOL issues stop-work orders at 27 Boston Markets over wage complaints

    The chain faces a flurry of lawsuits from workers, creditors and vendors, including allegations it has failed to pay hundreds of workers.

    By • Aug. 17, 2023
  • A photo of people dining outside.
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    Byron Smith/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
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    NYC mayor signs permanent outdoor dining program into law

    Dining Out NYC addresses residents’ concerns about outdoor dining structures’ impact on sanitation and quality of life, and streamlines the process for restaurants to offer sidewalk and streetside service. 

    By • Aug. 16, 2023
  • People hold signs while protesting in front of Starbucks on April 14, 2022 in New York City.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Starbucks’ ‘overbroad’ workplace civility rule oversteps NLRA, Board rules

    On the heels of its Stericycle ruling, which increased scrutiny of employer handbooks, NLRB said Starbucks must rescind its “How We Communicate” workplace policy.

    By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 15, 2023
  • Starbucks logo on building exterior
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    Federal court dismisses suit that targeted Starbucks’ DEI policies

    The complaint alleged the coffee chain’s diverse hiring practices constituted discrimination against White people.

    By • Updated Aug. 14, 2023
  • A Serve Robotics robot featuring the Uber Eats logo.
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    Courtesy of Serve Robotics
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    Serve Robotics raises $30M, goes public in reverse merger

    The delivery robot company, which merged with Patricia Acquisition Corp., will use the new financing to help deploy up to 2,000 robots with Uber Eats.

    By • Aug. 11, 2023
  • An image of an adult male dressed in a blue sweater.
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    Permission granted by SPB Hospitality
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    Q&A

    SPB Hospitality CEO: Full-service chains still can’t find skilled labor

    Josh Kern is focused on competitive benefits, enhanced training and a positive work culture to attract and retain talent.

    By • Aug. 7, 2023
  • Two hands locked in a shake
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    SunnyVMD via Getty Images
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    PDQ promotes Kep Sweeney to CEO

    Sweeney takes the reins from co-founder Nick Reader as the chicken chain invests in off-premise improvements, including geofencing to trim service times for pickup orders. 

    By • Aug. 4, 2023
  • An image of a building with yellow and red stripes. Signage says "Pollo Campero."
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    Permission granted by Pollo Campero
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    How Pollo Campero plans to grow from 90 US units to 250 in 5 years

    Since expanding its customer base beyond its legacy Guatemalan and Salvadoran diners, the concept has gained traction throughout the U.S. 

    By • Aug. 4, 2023
  • A view of an empty fast food restaurant
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    umcher via Getty Images
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    EEOC: Bojangles to pay $20K in sexual harassment, retaliation suit

    Earlier this year, an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission head publicly voiced concerns about sexual misconduct in the restaurant space.

    By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 3, 2023
  • Starbucks workers in aprons sing, standing next to U.S. military color guards
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    Stephen Brashear via Getty Images
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    Starbucks re-ups commitment to military employees

    The coffee company seeks to smooth out the relocation woes of military families, and provide increased mental health support for veteran workers.

    By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 3, 2023
  • Jared Isaacman standing in a corporate office.
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    Courtesy of Shift4
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    Shift4 shrinks workforce

    The payments company cut 150 employees in the second quarter, executives said Thursday during an earnings conference call.

    By Caitlin Mullen • Aug. 3, 2023
  • Sen. Bernie Sanders address Howard Schultz at a hearing of the Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
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    Aneurin Canham-Clyne/Restaurant Dive
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    Raise the Wage Act draws restaurant industry opposition

    Congress hasn’t raised the minimum wage in 14 years, prompting states and cities to take more aggressive legislative action on wages and conditions.

    By • July 27, 2023
  • An image of a copper sign that says Block
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    Courtesy of Shane Woolley/Restaurant Dive
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    Deep Dive

    It’s not just Starbucks: Why cafes are hotbeds for unionizing

    Workers at dozens of cafes in cities from Seattle to Boston are organizing, a trend experts attribute to low wages, college education and strong social bonds among employees.

    By • July 26, 2023
  • Opening small business. Happy arab woman in apron near bar counter holding digital tablet and looking at camera.
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    Prostock-Studio via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Fourth

    How to make demand forecasting your competitive advantage

    Learn how to take control of your labor budgets, empower frontline managers and eliminate staffing inefficiencies with AI-powered forecasting.

    By Christian Berthelsen, Chief Technology Officer, Fourth • July 24, 2023
  • The In-n-Out logo is displayed on the front of an In-n-Out restaurant on October 28, 2021 in Pleasant Hill, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    In-N-Out to discipline employees for wearing masks without a doctor’s note

    The policy applies to all store and support associates working in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah, with some exceptions.

    By Ryan Golden • Updated July 21, 2023
  • A worker takes a bowl of processed avocados from a prototype of Vebu's Autocado.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle pilots avocado robot that could halve guacamole prep time

    The Autocado, a robot designed by Vebu at Chipotle’s Cultivate Center, can hold 25 pounds of avocados at a time and cuts, cores and scoops the fruits.

    By • July 12, 2023
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Domino’s strikes deal with Uber Eats through 2024

    The companies will pilot an ordering partnership in four U.S. markets this fall before expanding nationwide. Domino’s will still deliver orders placed through Uber Eats.

    By • July 12, 2023
  • A person whose job has been cut collects their belongings
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    pcess609 via Getty Images
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    H1 2023 marked by 4 layoffs in restaurant tech

    Companies in the delivery, virtual brand and POS platform subsectors grappled with growing losses and corporate restructuring.

    By • July 10, 2023
  • A teenager works at a cafe and cleans an espresso machine,
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    standret via Getty Images
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    DOL recovers $88,000 in wages from Detroit-centered Italian restaurant group

    “A restaurant group in business for more than a few decades must be well aware of the laws protecting the wages of tipped and hourly employees,” a Wage and Hour Division director said.

    By Caroline Colvin • July 10, 2023
  • A Waffle House in Alabama.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Waffle House workers strike over safety at South Carolina store

    Meal deductions are also at the root of a strike at a Columbia, South Carolina, unit. The demonstration is backed by the Union of Southern Service Workers. 

    By • July 10, 2023