Labor
Robot Waiters Have Descended on Silicon Valley
Eater, San Francisco 8/5
Ever wanted to glimpse into a future reality — ideal or dystopian, depending on your view — powered almost exclusively by machines? A new hotel and restaurant in Silicon Valley (where else?) gives guests the chance to do just that.
Starbucks to raise starting barista wages to $12 per hour, dole out 5% pay increases
Fox 11, Los Angeles 8/5
Starbucks will raise the starting rate for baristas in all markets to at least $12 per hour and up to or above $15 in some areas in addition to increasing the wages of hourly employees hired on or before July 2021 by 5% in October, according to a company spokesperson.
Food Industry Policy
Amid spike in ‘review bombing,’ Yelp gives restaurants the option to show vaccine policies
San Francisco Chronicle 8/5
As of Thursday, restaurants and bars listed on Yelp will have the option to advertise whether they require proof of vaccination for entry and whether their employees are vaccinated.
How restaurants will enforce vaccine mandates
Quartz 8/5
As the delta variant of Covid-19 continue to spread, restaurants are placed in a tricky spot: to mandate vaccinations or not? Some may not have a choice.
On the Side
Why COVID Will Catapult Papa John’s Across the Globe
QSR Magazine 8/6
The chain saw a record 123 net new openings in the first half of 2021. But this journey is just getting underway.
Jack in the Box Attracts New and Core Guests with Balanced Menu
QSR Magazine 8/5
For the second straight quarter, Jack in the Box saw positive transaction growth. It may not sound like much, CEO Darin Harris said, but considering the industry’s current reliance on growing average ticket to create sales, it’s a monumental win.