politics

Chicago votes to kill the tip credit

By Peter Romeo on Oct. 06, 2023

Wages paid directly to servers, bartenders and other tipped restaurant employees will rise by 67% over the next five years.

Workforce

What can Congress do to ease restaurants' labor struggles?

By Peter Romeo on Oct. 02, 2023

Working Lunch: A group called the Critical Labor Coalition has some ideas its pushing on the Hill. Here are a few of the would-be aids.

Workforce

White House and NY officials brainstorm ways to deepen the immigrant labor pool

By Peter Romeo on Aug. 31, 2023

In a lengthy meeting this week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and senior Biden administration officials pledged to find ways of putting more asylum seekers into jobs. They've already agreed on one way to do it.

Operations

Politicians are quietly creating a new route for restaurants to sell wine

By Peter Romeo on Jun. 16, 2023

Working Lunch: It's an often-overlooked channel with plenty of room for growth, according to a lobbyist in the trenches.

Operations

Restaurants applaud Texas' effort to avert a hodgepodge of business regulations

By Peter Romeo on Jun. 14, 2023

A bill signed into law by Gov. Abbott ensures that local and county jurisdictions can't set rules that conflict with state and federal requirements.

Operations

Bill is introduced to bring down restaurants' swipe fees

By Peter Romeo on Jun. 07, 2023

The bipartisan measure aims to lower the cost by fostering more competition among processors.

Consumer Trends

Now Chick-fil-A is being blasted by the right

By Peter Romeo on Jun. 05, 2023

Working Lunch: The high-flying chain is drawing fire for hiring a head of diversity, equity and inclusion. Is any brand safe from the nation's political polarization?

Premium

Operations

Washington, D.C., restaurants learn the outs of service fees

By Peter Romeo on May 22, 2023

Surcharges have become routine after residents voted to kill the tip credit. Now, operators and customers are coming across the unexpected side effects.

Operations