Labor
Steak ‘n Shake Hit With Pay Suit Over Tip-Credit Wage Practices
Bloomberg Law 6/21
Steak ‘n Shake systematically underpays servers and bartenders by taking a tip-credit from their hourly wages, while not fully complying with Fair Labor Standards Act and Ohio wage rules, a new lawsuit filed Monday in a federal court in Cleveland says.
As California reopens, a brutal ‘normal’ awaits many
Sacramento News & Review 6/21
Commissioned by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the report sets forth a number of hugely ambitious ideas, including the elimination of working poverty in California by 2030 and the creation of a portable benefits plan for the state’s millions of gig workers. These proposals are likely to meet fierce resistance from powerful elements of the business lobby, notably the California Chamber of Commerce, whose annual “Job Killers list” targets a wide range of legislation designed to combat economic inequality, and does so with remarkable effectiveness.
Food Industry Policy
California Drops Mask Requirement for Vaccinated Restaurant and Bar Workers
Eater SF 6/21
In a 5-to-1 vote on Thursday, June 17, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board voted to end workplace mask rules for those vaccinated, except in mass transit and classrooms or where they are required for everyone, effective immediately.
Is Your Restaurant Ready for the Digital Dining Era?
QSR Magazine 6/21
Restaurants can thank COVID-19 for the rise in popularity of the online order and delivery channel. In 2020, U.S. online food delivery revenues reached $26.5 billion. And with more and more guests turning to third-party delivery services, the segment has gone from being a secondary revenue stream to major business for many restaurants.
On the Side
Bay Area’s underground Indonesian food scene is booming – and ready for the mainstream spotlight
San Francisco Chronicle 6/22
The Bay Area is in the throes of a vibrant underground Indonesian food movement, with cooks driving to homes all over the region with boxes of satay with peanut sauce, meatball noodle soup and thick pancakes stuffed with chocolate sprinkles and cheese. Now, they’re hoping this recent groundswell of support will translate into mainstream success.
Veggie Grill to Franchise Burger Restaurants
Los Angeles Business Journal 6/21
Veggie Grill Inc. is looking to franchising as it expands its new plant-based hamburger concept. The Culver City-based fast-casual restaurant chain launched its first Stand-Up Burgers location in March in Berkeley and followed up with two more restaurants in Illinois.
