government

The saga behind the illegal Jell-O shot

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 02, 2024

Restaurant Rewind: The ban in place within some jurisdictions is a telling example of how the rules governing alcohol sales may no longer make sense. Grab a stein of mead and give a listen.

Workforce

Labor strife is still high as California's landmark fast-food wage law takes effect

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 29, 2024

With all the last-minute sniping by members, the next meeting of the Fast Food Council promises to be a doozy.

Workforce

Unsure how California's new fast-food wage-setting process will work? Here's a guide

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 21, 2024

With the changeover just days away, state officials have fleshed out what employers and their staffs should expect.

Workforce

California's new fast-food wage law will also expand overtime eligibility

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 20, 2024

Salaried quick-service employees will be entitled to overtime if they make less than about $84,000 a year. And that's just one of the other surprises the bill is packing.

Operations

SEC drops its plan to require field-to-fork environmental reporting

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 11, 2024

Working Lunch: The agency realized the mandate was too unwieldy and extensive.

Financing

Federal judge strikes down new joint employer rules

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 11, 2024

One business day before the new standard was to be adopted, a federal judge sided with the franchise industry and blocked adoption, saying the update goes too far.

Operations

Hype aside, is Panera exempt from California's wage bill?

By Lisa Jennings and Peter Romeo on Mar. 08, 2024

News analysis: The controversy involving Panera Bread franchisee Greg Flynn may be moot, but the exemption baked into the impending fast-food wage remains unexplained.

Premium

Workforce

What President Biden had to say to restaurants

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 08, 2024

Reality Check: In his State of the Union Address, the chief executive touched on several government actions that would change restaurateurs' world. But except for his comments on immigration, it was deja vu all over again.

Workforce