labor

Restaurant job growth appears to be slowing

By Jonathan Maze on May 03, 2024

The restaurant industry added 6,600 jobs in April, according to new federal data, continuing a pattern of slower overall job growth.

Operations

BJ's margins make a leap, with help from AI

By Joe Guszkowski on May 03, 2024

A new AI-powered scheduling tool, among other initiatives, helped make the casual-dining chain's restaurants more profitable in the first quarter.

Operations

Texas Roadhouse continues its hot streak

By Joe Guszkowski on May 03, 2024

The chain reported another quarter of impressive sales and traffic growth, and its margins increased, too.

Workforce

New York mandates a new employee benefit: Paid leave for expectant parents

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 30, 2024

The state's nearly $400 billion budget also obliges restaurants and other employers to provide paid half-hour breaks for nursing mothers.

Operations

Chipotle raises menu prices in California up to 7%

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 24, 2024

California's AB1228 pushed the fast-casual chain's wage up 20% and menu price hikes will cover the cost. But with first-quarter traffic up more than 5%, Chipotle officials are not worried.

Workforce

Overtime pay to be extended to salaried employees earning less than $43,888

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 23, 2024

The pool of managers entitled to time-and-a-half pay will jump again on Jan. 1, then increase every three years.

Operations

Qdoba and Chipotle to pay millions to settle alleged labor violations in Washington state

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 22, 2024

Qdoba agreed to pay $3.8 million to settle a pay transparency lawsuit. Chipotle agreed to pay more than $3 million in a case related to alleged scheduling and paid leave violations in Seattle.

Workforce