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labor costs

Workforce

The new year will bring minimum wage increases in 19 states

 By Lisa Jennings on Dec. 22, 2025

The wage rate will cross the $15 per hour threshold for the first time in six states on Jan. 1, 2026. But the biggest hike will be seen in Hawaii.

Workforce

Teens and young adults are flooding the labor force, looking for summer jobs

 By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 12, 2025

Restaurants are projected to add 490,000 seasonal jobs this year. But economic uncertainty could scare some employers from expanding their payroll, says National Restaurant Association report.

Workforce

This Republican senator wants to more than double the federal minimum wage

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 10, 2025

Breaking from conservative ideology, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri introduced a bill to increase the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour. Democrats attempting the same have been thwarted. Does this bill have a chance?

Financing

As Trump 2.0 starts, another round of inflation may loom for restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 23, 2025

Threatened tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China could have a widespread impact on the industry, as could immigration restrictions, just as the environment normalizes.

Workforce

Restaurateurs expect labor inflation to keep surging

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 18, 2024

A survey by Restaurant Business found 89% of operators expect wages to keep climbing over the next 12 months. Most of the respondents have passed along the spike by raising menu prices.

Workforce

Restaurants find an unexpected ally in preserving Massachusetts' tip credit

By Peter Romeo on Oct. 21, 2024

Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, often pro-union, has come out against a ballot proposal to kill the employer concession, astonishing the business.

Financing

Franchisees are still struggling with inflation

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 09, 2024

Nearly 90% of operators said in the International Franchise Association’s annual franchisee survey that inflation continues to impact their operations. And more say customers are reacting to higher prices.

Workforce

California's new fast-food wage is costing most QSRs there an additional $100k, study finds

By Peter Romeo on Jul. 23, 2024

The research also indicates that jobs and hours are being reduced, and consumers should expect more price hikes. But the statistics are contradicted by other findings, including data from the federal government.

Workforce

New federal overtime-pay standards take effect

By Peter Romeo on Jul. 01, 2024

Government Watch: The exemption for salaried workers is narrowed to employees earning less than $43,888 a year. Also, DOL pushes for a paid-leave model, and foie gras remains legal in NYC.

Operations

Looking for relief from inflation? History taught us this isn't the remedy

By Peter Romeo on Jun. 26, 2024

Restaurant Rewind: President Nixon figured he could put a rein on soaring prices and wages with a stroke of his pen. There's a reason it was dubbed the Nixon Shock.

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