labor costs

A tough few years have been a boon to restaurant labor productivity

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 14, 2024

Operators have examined their kitchens and processes and added a lot more technology while focusing on takeout. The result has been a more efficient operation.

Operations

Efforts to grow the restaurant labor pool face a big challenge: Time

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 14, 2024

The industry has a number of initiatives underway to pull more potential hires into the field. But the setback of the pandemic and the need for scale are deferring the payoff.

Workforce

With the tip credit falling, D.C.'s full-service restaurants cut payrolls 4.4%

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 16, 2024

Yet QSRs and sit-down places outside of Washington stepped up their hiring.

Workforce

U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear an appeal from Starbucks

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 12, 2024

The coffee chain wants the nation's highest court to decide if employees were truly dismissed because of their union activities.

Workforce

New Year brings higher minimum wages in 22 states

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 02, 2024

Steeper increases were seen among 69 municipalities and counties that also raised their pay floors. Here's a look at where the wage is highest.

Workforce

D.C. restaurants reel from a triple dose of woes

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 16, 2023

Eating places are closing at the rate of one per week because of the one-two-three combination.

Financing

D.C.'s Clyde's group is sued for charging a service fee

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 09, 2023

A travelers' advocacy group is accusing the multiconcept operation of violating truth-in-pricing rules and wants the surcharge dropped.

Workforce

California's wage law could pave the way for $18 Big Macs

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 06, 2023

Working Lunch: A McDonald's in Connecticut is already charging that much for a combo featuring the signature sandwich. Might that become the threshold in the industry's largest restaurant market?

Premium

Food