Labor and Policy
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Courtesy of Subway
48-store Subway operator declares bankruptcy after wrongful death suit appeal denied
River Sub owes the survivors of a murdered manager nearly $3 million, by far the largest liability on its balance sheet.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 25, 2024 -
Courtesy of Domino's
Domino’s appoints chief human resources officer
Effective July 8, Maureen Pittenger will take on all aspects of human resources strategies in her new position at the pizza chain.
By Julie Littman • June 24, 2024 -
Ryan Golden/Wedstraunt
Honolulu restaurant, HR company settle EEOC suit claiming co-owner targeted gay workers for harassment
The co-owner allegedly exposed his genitals at work, asked for oral sex and commented on male workers’ sexual orientation, EEOC said.
By Ginger Christ • June 17, 2024 -
Kevin Dietsch / Staff via Getty Images
Starbucks unionization effortsSupreme Court backs Starbucks to impose stricter test on NLRB injunctions
The court ordered lower courts to use a four-factor test in place of the two-factor standard used by some circuits when determining whether to grant injunctions in labor disputes.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 13, 2024 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Waffle House workers claim organizing prompted companywide wage bumps
While CEO Joe Rogers III said wage increases were five years in the making, they also come months after organized workers went on strike at several stores calling for higher pay.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 11, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Uber loses gig worker court decision
The battle over whether gig workers are independent contractors continues. A separate court case will decide the legality of a Lyft- and Uber-backed ballot measure in California that would define them as such.
By Dan Zukowski • June 11, 2024 -
Permission granted by Rubio's Coastal Grill
Rubio’s closes 48 CA stores following minimum wage hike
Following a review of operations and given the current economic environment, the chain decided to close the locations due to the increased cost of doing business in the Golden State.
By Julie Littman • June 3, 2024 -
Permission granted by Holly Costanzo
WedstrauntWorkers at DC’s Wydown cafes got organized. Then they lost everything.
The owners of the two-unit coffee chain shut down operations in the middle of a union drive, leaving workers fighting for severance.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 29, 2024 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
NLRB judge tells Starbucks to rescind ‘respectful communication’ policy
The employer also must reinstate an employee fired for alleged violation of the rule, the judge ruled.
By Ginger Christ • May 24, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Red Lobster worker sues over WARN Act violation
The seafood chain gave no warning of closures to workers, and in one case management reassured workers their store was profitable, per the suit.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 24, 2024 -
Chip Somodevilla / Staff via Getty Images
DOL overtime expansion ‘unlawful,’ business groups argue
The Restaurant Law Center joined other business groups in a lawsuit in the same court that enjoined an Obama-era overtime rule.
By Caroline Colvin • May 23, 2024 -
Stephen Maturen via Getty Images
Minnesota restaurants, delivery services must disclose service fees to consumers
The state joined California in passing a law requiring the disclosure of all mandatory fees consumers face beginning in January.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 22, 2024 -
Don Wu via Getty Images
Grubbrr CEO: Automation could make restaurants a high-wage, high-productivity business
Kiosks may not be a silver bullet for labor troubles — they seem better suited to boost check sizes — but they may be part of a gradual transformation of restaurant work, Sam Zietz said.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 21, 2024 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
NLRB judges rule Starbucks participated in unfair labor practices in 2 cases
In one case, an NLRB judge found Starbucks fired a shift supervisor for closing a store early over staffing issues, which is a protected union activity.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 14, 2024 -
Permission granted by Fat Brands
Feds indict Andrew Wiederhorn, Fat Brands in $47M loan scheme
Wiederhorn was slapped with a litany of charges including tax evasion, wire fraud and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 10, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
California bans hidden fees starting July 1
The state will require businesses to include all mandatory fees in listed prices, making it harder for restaurants to impose service charges.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 9, 2024 -
Rex_Wholster via Getty Images
NLRB appeals joint employer ruling to 5th Circuit
A federal judge vacated the Board’s joint employer final rule in March, holding that it was “contrary to law” and “arbitrary and capricious.”
By Ryan Golden • May 7, 2024 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Biden vetoes bill against joint employer rule
The president scotched Congressional efforts to block a broadened definition of joint employment, though court decisions may yet kill the rule.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 3, 2024 -
Courtesy of Subway
Back to Basics: What builds a good snacking menu?
Diner demand for specific snack items depends on their mood, time of day and ease of travel, experts said, opening up an array of traffic-boosting innovation opportunities for restaurants.
By Danielle McLean • May 1, 2024 -
Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
New York becomes first state to mandate paid time off for prenatal care
Beginning in 2025, pregnant employees will be eligible for 20 hours of leave, separate from the state’s paid family and medical leave.
By Emilie Shumway • May 1, 2024 -
Courtesy of Sticky's
Chicken tender chain Sticky’s Finger Joint files for Chapter 11
Low foot traffic in Manhattan, exacerbated by high prices for chicken and potatoes, left 12-unit Sticky’s in a weak position.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 26, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Chipotle makes order fulfillment, not fancier tech, its top CX focus
Faster order speed is “one of those things that cascades into everything being a lot better,” CEO Brian Niccol said.
By Bryan Wassel • April 25, 2024 -
Permission granted by Starbucks Workers United
Starbucks unionization effortsStarbucks meets 150 workers at the bargaining table in Atlanta
While the company still plans store-by-store contract ratification, it is discussing issues impacting all employees with a bargaining committee of union members.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 24, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Study: Chipotle, Starbucks have highest burnout among major restaurants
Chipotle, which recently added new worker benefits to attract hires, had the second-highest burnout rating of any company in the study, surpassed only by Progressive.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 24, 2024 -
Caroline Colvin/Wedstraunt
DOL will raise overtime salary threshold to $44K in July, $59K next year
The final rule expands overtime pay eligibility to millions of U.S. workers, the department said.
By Ryan Golden • April 23, 2024
