Labor
Picnic Pizza Making Robot Sold Over 500 Pizzas with Less than 1% Food Waste
Tech Times 1/18
While the entire restaurant industry is currently shifting, a certain Seattle company called Picnic now believes that the world could be ready for its very own pizza-making robot. The particular Picnic Pizza System previously stole the show during last year’s regular CES technology convention which happened in Las Vegas.
Diaper masks, close quarters: Fast-food restaurants have struggled to protect workers from COVID-19
Los Angeles Times 1/16
There weren’t enough masks, so managers told workers to improvise, offering up a box of dog diapers somebody had left at the store. Often, the outlet was so busy that workers said they had no time to wash their hands, let alone disinfect the countertops.
Food Industry Policy
Has Congress Failed Independent Restaurants?
FSR Magazine 1/19
The Independent Restaurant Coalition and other organizations have spent months lobbying for direct aid, particularly in the form of the RESTAURANTS Act—a $120 billion revitalization fund that would run through the U.S. Treasury. The main difference between the Act and the Paycheck Protection Program is the latter funneled through participating banks, which left many operators in the dark. The “Accommodation and Food Services” sector garnered just 8.1 percent of PPP dollars last time around.
Chevy’s in Vallejo remains adamant about sit-down dining
East Bay Times 1/18
Chevy’s Fresh Mex continues to ignore COVID-19 orders to halt all outdoor dining and is under investigation by the state.
On the Side
Farmer Boys will open a second Fullerton restaurant with a school fundraiser
The Orange County Register 1/18
The restaurant known for its burgers, all-day breakfast, salads and sandwiches, will open a second location in Fullerton on Jan. 30 with a fundraiser for Valencia High School.
Starbucks to Assist with Washington’s Vaccination Rollout
QSR Magazine 1/18
Starbucks announced Monday that it’s joining a statewide coalition to help Washington improve distribution of the COVID vaccine. The private-public partnership, known as the Washington State Vaccines Command and Coordination Center, brings together top public and private resources to “optimize an accelerated, safe and equitable vaccination process” across the state.
