Labor
Franchise ‘No Poach Agreements’ Come Under Fire
QSR Magazine 12/1
President Biden has promised to ban them, but what does the future really hold?
DOL’s Final Rule on Tipped Employees Takes Effect December 28th
JD Supra 12/1
Beginning December 28, 2021, employers must pay tipped employees the full minimum wage for periods when non tip-producing work is performed for a substantial amount of time, in light of a new Department of Labor (DOL) Final Rule taking effect that date.
Food Industry Policy
Don’t just keep parklets and slow streets, says policy think-tank — bring even more to S.F.
San Francisco Chronicle 12/1
When Bay Area residents sheltered in place last year to escape the ravages of COVID-19, city streets that could offer room for people to walk or bicycle in safety close to home became essential public resources.
The First Confirmed U.S. Case of Omicron Emerges In SF — But No Changes for Restaurants Yet
Eater 12/1
Fears about a new COVID variant have been swirling in the news the last few weeks, and unfortunately, it’s now official: The first confirmed case of the omicron variant has been detected in the United States, and it’s right here in San Francisco.
On the Side
El Pollo Loco launches Loco Gifts and Gear store with famed L.A.-based Latino creators
Nation’s Restaurant News 12/2
The brand’s first-ever online merch shop celebrates its vibrant L.A. Mex heritage through surf, skate, apparel and more, with early access starting today for Loco Rewards™ members.
Podcast: David Chang gets very honest with us
Los Angeles Times 12/2
Today, we’ll spend the show with food personality David Chang to talk about his new Hulu series, “The Next Thing You Eat,” which — full disclosure — our host Gustavo Arellano appears in. We’ll discuss what David found, why he thinks Southern California is such a great place for food, and also the future of the food industry in the era of COVID-19.