85 stories · last 30 days by relevance
Industry experts are examining the potential federal definition of ultra-processed foods and its implications for restaurant operators, signaling possible regulatory shifts ahead.
Starbucks is discontinuing a blending powder after baristas reported respiratory issues from airborne particles, aligning the change with its seasonal menu shift.
Restaurants are exploring Gen X and Baby Boomer hiring as a potential response to labor turnover, signaling a shift toward older demographics who may bring different workforce characteristics than you
Starbucks is facing pressure from pro-labor investors seeking to separate board chair and CEO roles while workers' union seeks consumer boycott support over contract negotiations.
Cava's same-store sales grew 9% in the second quarter, driven by a 5.3% traffic increase, despite a temporary consumer pullback from salad.
Portillo's is cutting corporate staff and reducing discounting while rethinking its development strategy to lower costs, signals the chain is adjusting its operational model as it faces margin pressur
Wonder laid off approximately 150 employees, representing 7% of its workforce, as part of a streamlining effort.
Daily tip payout systems are gaining adoption in restaurants, offering staff faster access to earnings and greater financial visibility.
Jack in the Box is working with franchisees to close underperforming locations in an effort to improve operator profitability as more struggle financially; the chain's core challenge remains driving s
Subway is implementing stricter approval processes for store closures and encouraging franchisees to extend operating hours, signaling the chain is taking direct operational control to counter domesti
Starbucks is laying off more than 200 workers, with over 100 tied to a restructuring announced in May and 120 declining a relocation to Nashville.
An industry analysis piece examines operational challenges ahead for 2026, signaling that restaurants face continued cost and margin pressures in the coming year.
Restaurant operators are navigating heightened compliance complexity around Temporary Protected Status rulings and E-Verify requirements, which signals potential workforce constraints for the industry
Red Robin reported its highest traffic in over three years, attributed to value meal offerings and staffing optimization as part of its ongoing turnaround effort.
A new study claims a proposed $25 minimum wage could cost 5 million jobs, raising questions about what wage increase restaurant operators might find acceptable.
Quick-service restaurants face persistent entry-level labor shortages that have evolved from temporary hiring challenges into a structural operational problem affecting staffing, scheduling, and reten
A Toast survey shows fast casual operators remain growth-focused despite cost and labor headwinds, signaling confidence in the segment's resilience amid near-term operational pressures.
Chili's attributed its sales growth to five operational moves: menu simplification, friction reduction, value positioning, loyalty program infrastructure, and labor investment, signals that establishe
New IRS overtime rules now require employers to report eligible overtime compensation on employee W-2 forms, signaling a shift in how restaurant payroll documentation will need to be handled.
Congress has passed the Common Cents Act, which establishes rounding guidelines for penny phase-out, building on a Trump administration executive order from 2025.
Multiple immigration bills are advancing at state and federal levels, creating uncertainty for restaurant operators about labor availability and compliance requirements.
Restaurant operators face cost pressures from food and labor inflation while managing food safety concerns and adapting to shifting diner behavior linked to GLP-1 medication use, creating a complex op
Over half of hospitality workers have ghosted employers, with 60 percent doing so post-offer, suggesting disengagement may signal deeper issues in the hiring or onboarding process that operators shoul
Cash-based labor practices highlight wage/compliance risks and operational complexity that chains need to address as regulatory scrutiny intensifies.
Starbucks is reducing its workforce further as part of a $2 billion turnaround effort, while simultaneously expanding operations in a Southern U.S. city.
Starbucks Workers United is calling for a customer boycott of the coffee chain, citing failed contract negotiations with more than 12,000 unionized baristas.
Rising fuel costs are prompting restaurant chains to reassess their value positioning and financial guidance, signaling pressure on both consumer spending and operational margins.
Restaurant leaders speaking at the 2026 Fast Casual Executive Summit argue that high turnover stems from workplace culture rather than hiring difficulties, suggesting operators may need to focus reten
Case study on franchisee workforce practices — value depends on whether story reveals replicable retention tactics or operator cost-saving strategies.
A Schoox survey found that a majority of young restaurant workers report inadequate training from employers, highlighting a gap between employee learning needs and what operators provide — a mismatch
Pizza Marketplace's final installment on the pizza industry suggests that future winners will balance automation with employee empowerment and customer relationships rather than pursuing technology fo
Immigration enforcement is increasingly targeting restaurants.
FDA's shift to mandatory GRAS review and ultra-processed food definition will reshape ingredient sourcing and compliance burden for multi-location chains; NYC delivery labor organizing signals regulat
McDonald's labor tech solution quantifies shift-coverage economics — franchisees managing absenteeism costs should track whether similar tools apply to their systems.
Some Wendy's franchisees have eliminated breakfast service, and the chain is experiencing reduced customer traffic as a result.
The MAHA movement is advancing a proposed FDA rule to regulate foods labeled as Generally Recognized as Safe, signaling a potential shift in how food safety standards are enforced in the industry.
Taïm's New York City locations were shuttered by state tax authorities over unpaid taxes, signaling potential cash-flow or compliance challenges at the Craveworthy Brands portfolio.
Alameda County postponed a vote on a proposed $30 minimum wage until 2028, signaling potential headwinds for aggressive wage policy in a major restaurant market.
A restaurant industry veteran argues for reforming rather than eliminating tipping, suggesting the practice remains embedded in restaurant economics despite periodic calls to abolish it.
McDonald's deployed a new app to reduce worker no-shows, according to the company.
Pizzeria operators face multiple workplace hazards including cuts, burns, and fatigue; industry experts suggest that structured training, early incident reporting, and return-to-work programs may help
The foodservice industry lost 26,100 jobs in July, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Jon Murray, now leading Indigo Road's 20+ restaurant concepts after earlier roles at Applebee's and in music, argues that increased staff investment may drive restaurant profitability.
A restaurant president characterized teen fryer violations as an unintentional error after the company faced $62,000 in child labor penalties, suggesting ongoing compliance challenges in restaurant op
A restaurant with packed tables and record sales may still be unprofitable if labor costs, menu mix, discounts, delivery fees, and waste aren't managed—signaling that volume alone doesn't guarantee ma
Starbucks has closed another store in downtown Seattle, adding to a pattern of closures and layoffs affecting the chain.
Trump administration announced a temporary tariff lift aimed at reducing beef prices, signaling potential near-term relief for restaurant operators facing commodity cost pressures.
Craveworthy Brands' Taïm locations in New York were closed due to unpaid taxes, signaling potential cash-flow or compliance challenges for the fast-casual chain.
A report found that over half of fast-food workers leave early when onboarding is inadequate, signaling that poor initial training may drive turnover in a sector already facing retention challenges.
Regional hiring ramp at franchise level reflects post-labor-shortage staffing normalization and demand signals in key markets.