Labor
California’s job market was surging before the Delta variant took hold
Financial Times 8/20
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year, Gregory Flynn, chief executive of Flynn Restaurant Group in San Francisco, the nation’s largest franchise operator, furloughed some 29,000 employees in 44 states, including more than 5,000 in California.
Court rules California gig worker initiative is unconstitutional, a setback to Uber and Lyft
Sacramento Bee 8/20
A California judge on Friday ruled that a 2020 ballot measure exempting rideshare and food delivery drivers from a state labor law is unconstitutional because it infringes on the Legislature’s power to set workplace standards.
Food Industry Policy
Will the Pandemic Make Los Angeles More Pedestrian-Friendly?
New York Times 8/23
Outdoor dining and slow streets programs are chipping away at Southern California’s deference to cars.
California restaurants may get yearlong extension for serving streetside drinks
North Bay Business Journal 8/19
Legislation expanding the ability of California restaurants and bars to serve cocktails in streetside seating during the coronavirus crisis has passed the key state Senate Health Committee.
On the Side
How Franchisee Satisfaction Helped Save Restaurants During the Pandemic
QSR Magazine 8/23
The pandemic has been a game-changer for restaurants, forcing everyone, including quick-service operators, to rethink everything they do. It’s the restaurants that pivoted fastest and most efficiently that have emerged from the health crisis in the best financial shape.
Michelin Guide Picks 18 CA Restaurants For Recognition
Patch 8/22
These 18 restaurants are hailed for elegant food, standout flavors, and great chefs. Have you already discovered these dining gems?