Labor
Restaurants Remain 750K Workers Short of Pre-COVID Levels
QSR Magazine 12/3
The restaurant industry is still down more than 750,000 jobs since the start of the pandemic, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics November jobs report.
Survey: Majority of diners now tip 20% or more
Restaurant Dive 12/3
Fifty-eight percent of consumers report they have increased the amount they typically tip servers and delivery drivers during the pandemic, according to a survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers conducted by Popmenu. Thirty percent of customers say they tip the same as they did pre-pandemic.
Food Industry Policy
S.F. restaurant, facing backlash, apologizes for ushering out police officers over ‘the presence of their weapons’
San Francisco Chronicle 12/5
The owners of San Francisco restaurant Hilda and Jesse apologized Sunday in the face of criticism for asking three armed, uniformed city police officers who were dining there to leave because staffers “felt uncomfortable with the presence of their multiple weapons.”
Contra Costa got 80 complaints against restaurants that allegedly broke COVID vaccine check mandate but didn’t fine any
Mercury News 12/5
Despite receiving 80 complaints last month that restaurants weren’t checking indoor diners for proof that they’re vaccinated against COVID-19, Contra Costa County didn’t fine or even officially warn the eateries that were breaking its rules, health officials have acknowledged.
On the Side
Jack in the Box is buying Rival Del Taco
Mercury News (Bloomberg) 12/6
Jack in the Box Inc. agreed to buy Del Taco Restaurants Inc., marrying the offbeat chain with a fast-food competitor also popular with late-night diners. The burger chain’s shares slumped on the news.
LA Woman Puts Local New Spin on Black-Owned Restaurant Week
Eater LA 12/3
Restaurant weeks — the semi-annual discounted prix fixe meals like dine LA — are a consistent part of dining in major cities.