Labor
2 California Cities to Raise Minimum Wage in 2021
Bloomberg Tax 10/29
Two California cities, South San Francisco and Burlingame, plan to increase minimum wages in 2021.
Owner of Restaurant Chain Pleads guilty to Obstructing Investigation
Random Lengths News 10/27
An owner of a chain of Mexican seafood restaurants in Santa Ana pleaded guilty to obstructing a federal investigation into his failure to pay minimum wage and overtime to his employees, as well as to filing a false tax return.
Food Industry Policy
Tech Check: Text Message Ordering
Restaurant Business Online 10/28
The technology: Los Angeles-based OhWaiter’s platform allows customers to order and pay via text. Founded by Santa Monica restaurateur Jonathan Chu, the product launched nationwide in August and is currently in about a dozen restaurants on the West Coast and one in Asheville, N.C.
White Castle will partially close all restaurants every presidential Election Day
Restaurant Dive 10/28
White Castle will close all of its 377 restaurants between 7 and 11 a.m. on Nov. 3 so employees can vote in the 2020 presidential election, according to a company release Tuesday. Staff members who are scheduled to work during this window in White Castle’s restaurants, manufacturing plants or the company’s office will be paid for the four-hour break.
LA County Considers Letting Restaurants Add ‘COVID-19 Recovery Fee’ To Dine-In Orders
CBS Los Angeles 10/27
Los Angeles County is considering allowing restaurants, breweries and wineries in unincorporated areas of the county to add a “COVID-19 recovery fee” to bills of dine-in customers.
On the Side
Michelin-Approved Bay Area Restaurants
SF Weekly 10/28
Michelin stars are normally a boon for restaurateurs, who can consistently count on increased business after receiving a coveted star rating. Originally, according to The Chronicle, the 2020 Michelin Guide was going to carry on with its traditional awards based on pre-pandemic research. But, given all that’s happened this year — from a global pandemic to worldwide civil unrest to a devastating wildfire season — the French culinary publication has since changed its mind.
Dine Out To Support California’s Restaurant Community
Visit California 10/28
With so many incredible dining venues across the Golden State, it doesn’t take much effort to convince Californians to patronize their favorite restaurants. This November, they’ll have an extra incentive with the launch of the The Grateful Table Dine Out, organized by the nonprofit California Restaurant Association Foundation (CRAF).
Opening Restaurants During a Pandemic—It Can Be Done
QSR Magazine 10/28
As devastating as it is, the pandemic is a short-term problem and sustainable success in business requires long-term thinking. While it may require some adjustments to previously conceived plans, the current crisis should not put the brakes on overall growth, but rather just cause it to take place more strategically.
