Labor
California Voters Approve Tech-Bankrolled Campaign to Deny Benefits to Food Delivery Drivers
Eater SF 11/4
Proposition 22, the California ballot measure backed by food delivery companies like Postmates, Instacart, and Doordash, was approved by voters during the November 3 election. Its win means that food delivery and ride-hailing companies, unlike most other business sectors in the state, will not have to provide its drivers with standard employee protections like minimum wage for hours worked, health care benefits, or unemployment insurance.
Burger-flipping robot helps restaurant chain usher in the ‘new normal’
Catering Insight 11/4
Fast food chain White Castle has signed a deal with Miso Robotics, meaning that up to 10 White Castle restaurants are set to get new burger-flipping robot technology.
Minimum Wage to Rise in 4 California cities, Albuquerque, N.M.
Bloomberg Tax 11/4
Wage changes were announced for Daly City, Novato, Redwood City, and Sunnyvale, Calif. The new wages are to take effect Jan. 1.
Food Industry Policy
L.A. County is considering an optional ‘COVID-19 recovery fee’ for dine-in customers
Los Angeles Times 11/4
L.A. County officials are considering allowing restaurants, breweries and wineries to add an optional “COVID-19 recovery fee” to dine-in customers’ bills as a way to recoup business losses sustained during the pandemic. A similar surcharge has been approved for restaurants in New York City.
SF Supervisor Floats Idea of a Permanent Cap on Delivery App Fees
Eater SF 11/4
Delivery apps won big at the box office Tuesday, as the passage of Prop 22 means companies like Doordash, Postmates, etc. won’t have to pay delivery drivers for all the hours they work or otherwise follow California employment law. But the city of San Francisco still dealt the apps a glancing blow Wednesday, as the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a move to cap the commissions the companies can charge restaurants at 15 percent.
Can a Delivery App Actually Support Restaurants?
FSR Magazine 11/4
All owners pay a monthly subscription fee that goes back to paying drivers $10 per hour and mileage reimbursement. Delivery Co-Op operates without any service or delivery fees, lightening the burden for both restaurants and consumers. Additionally, all members receive one share of the company, making them eligible for dividends. Because of that ownership, Withers says each person is able to participate in development of the business.
On the Side
19 Feast-Worthy Los Angeles Restaurants for Thanksgiving
Eater LA 11/4
With unavoidable crowds at grocery stores and cooking fatigue setting in, dining out on Thanksgiving or ordering a feast to-go might be the convenience we all need this year. For those looking to stay out of the kitchen, here now are 19 restaurants serving turkey dinners with all the fixings in Los Angeles.
San Jose’s new outdoor dining program will last until summer with late-night hours
The Mercury News 11/4
In an effort to help businesses ride the ebbs and flows of the pandemic, San Jose is extending a new program allowing businesses to operate in public and private outdoor spaces through next spring and summer.
How Covid Pushed One Young LA Chef to Reimagine How His Dream Restaurant Would Open—and Run
Robb Report 11/2
This new model will require a different type of space than what he’d looked at before—one where he’ll have the room to run a service, but also a large enough kitchen that can keep up with pasta kit demand. That also has him excited for changing the math on how he runs a restaurant in the future, moving away from a profession that’s been built on exploitation and low pay.
